Walkathanapalooza

This week will be a big week for the philosophy club. We are planning on having two events this week, the latter of which may be our biggest event yet.

First, we are planning to meet on Tuesday the 14th on Old Main 207 at 5PM, to talk about Effective Altruism and the upcoming walkathon. Our plan is to get everyone on the same page about how donations will work, and then we will have an informal critical discussion about effective altruism. I’d recommend everyone read this short, accessible article: https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2021/03/05/ethics-and-absolute-poverty/  The Effective Altruism club president, Bella Lonardo, will also be there if you have further questions. You should feel free to criticize the ideas if you want to– even if we are raising money and working with the EA club, the philosophy club is also about critical inquiry!

Second, we will have the walkathon from 3PM-6PM on the Quad on Thursday, the 16th. You should see us on the Northwest side of the Quad. We are raising funds for the charity you chose, the Malaria Consortium, an organization dedicated to fighting malaria, and our goal is $5,000. As of right now, we have already raised $606, and the deadline is the 25th.

If you can’t make it to Tuesday, here is what you need to know. 

How to participate:

  1. Contact friends, family, acquaintances, classmates, anyone you think would be willing to donate to a cause to prevent malaria in developing countries
  1. CLICK THIS LINK TO FIND A GOOGLE DOC OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE PLEDGE SHEET. Make a copy of it. Fill out each pledge on the sheet: sponsors can donate
    1. per lap around the Quad or 
    2. donate a set amount. 
  1. Come to THE NORTHWEST SIDE OF THE QUAD THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH from 3-6 PM to check in, walk, socialize, and contribute to an amazing cause! RSVP HERE FOR FREE PIZZA! (You do not have to RSVP to participate, however)
  1. How do sponsors donate?
    1. Go to the following website to send donations straight to Malaria Consortium by NOVEMBER 22nd https://www.givingwhatwecan.org/fundraisers/usu-student-club-walkathon
  1. Questions?
    1. Contact effectivealtruismutahstate@gmail.com
    2. Attend the USU Philosophy Club Meeting on November 14th at 5PM in Old Main 207 where we will discuss the walk-a-thon and Effective Altruism

Be sure to click on the link on #2 to find the pledge sheet. It can also be found by scanning the QR code on the flyer attached below. If you would want pizza, please also RSVP on number #3. If you can’t participate but still want to donate directly, feel free to do so and click the link on #4.

Sorry for the big update! Hope to see you tomorrow, 

Jack Leonard

Call for UTFs, Spring 2024

We are looking for students to serve as Undergraduate Teaching Fellows for Spring 2024. As a UTF, you help an instructor with a class, tutoring students, leading discussions, and helping out along the way. You are paid $750 for the semester. Preferences are given to philosophy majors and minors, but anyone is welcome to apply. Here is the link:

Philosophy UTF application

Applications are due by December 1.

Philosophy club Halloween, and walk-a-thon

Our next event (on Oct 31 at the usual time, 5, Main 207) is our annual Halloween party. Feel free to dress up if you want,dressing up as something philosophical is encouraged. There will be food. Because dressing up is a thing people do on Halloween, and because some people think souls are “spooky,” we will have a discussion about personal and practical identity. We’ll discuss: what makes you you? For example, here are some questions that we may discuss: Do you have a spirit or soul? What does “soul” mean? Are we just a collection of roles or “masks” that we play? Does who we are depend upon memory in some fashion?

ALSO:

Our club and the Effective Altruism club are hosting a walkathon to fundraise for charities on the Quad on November 16th from 3-6 pm! Effective Altruism is a social movement started by some philosophers who advocate for finding the most effective ways at helping the most people in the world and then tries to do that. The form lists possible charities – please take a look at them and choose which one you prefer by November 1st. Also, please let your friends know about it. If you want to, post the attached post below on your social media– it’s intended for Instagram stories, but there will soon be others for other platforms. I’ll discuss more on Tuesday about how donations will work.

Please vote on which charity to support by filling out the form by November 1st.