Category: Uncategorized

Heidegger and Brad Pitt

I just saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last night, and was struck by the prominence of Heideggerian themes in it. I know a lot of students out there are hopped up on Heidegger — one of you should write a paper on the Heideggerian elements in the movie. Some of the themes I saw: the overall significance of time for Dasein (Button’s aging process as the reverse of everyone elses’s, and the questions it raised; the backward-running clock); technological enframement (contrast between the old nursing home and the newer hospital, buttons vs. zippers); importance of care (again, the feeling of the old nursing home, as well as the nuggets of wisdom Button learns along the way); finally, the great need for editing.

Philosophical reflections from students

For the PHIL 1000 Intro final paper, I have students to reflect on what they have learned, and share with me how it will shape their lives looking ahead.  It is more akin to ‘journaling’ than a scholarly exercise.  Reading them always reminds me why I love to teach, and it is always encouraging to see that students are capable of so much if you just feed them a little.  Here are some selections from the papers:

“We are forced to concede that there is a part of our lives that seems to not be ours to define: our birth; our awakening in this world.  This is the greatest mystery of all.”

“Humility is the most important attribute one would need in order to acquire truth in any matter.”

“The hardest class I have ever taken, and I frankly was dreading taking the class and not expecting very much, but I am glad I took it and learned more in this class than any of my others.” 

“Not so long ago I was a sheltered moron.  It’s true.  To be honest, I still am, but less so.  But I think philosophy will be able to further help me as a person in expand my horizons and opening my mind to new ideas.”

 “I now know that I actually do enjoy reading.”

 “A closer examination of some of the simplest states of mind like boredom and jealousy has revealed how rare and unique such phenomenon actually are in the universe.”

 “I want to be somebody; I am so tired of being a nobody.  The liberal arts have made me realize I am someone and can become whatever person I want to be.”

 “It is good to know I am not a frog because I don’t participate in froggy-ness.  Damn.”

 “I love Socrates.  He is my hero now.”

 “I discovered that I am most myself when I am in the water (pool, lake, bathtub).  I can be content with silence there.”

Front Porch Conservative

I find myself very attracted to this brand of ‘front porch’ conservatism.  

Here is a funny clip on the modern malaise of democratic souls, the ‘crappiest generation’.  

And, finally, an article on the importance of beer drinking to civic life.  Apparently, for the first time in the history of our great republic, Americans drank more bottled water than beer.  The end is nigh!