May 2022 Philosophy Walk: “Place, Climate Change & Urban Design – Some Practical Applications”

In this walk featuring Dennis McCahon and Patrick Judge, we’ll explore the connections between Helena’s “sense of place,” climate change, and urban design. Access info and photos here!

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Philosophy Workshop: “Beyond Mindfulness – Western Meditation Techniques in Theory & Practice”

In this workshop, we explored several techniques of meditation with deep roots in Western spiritual, religious, and philosophical life and practice.  We examined two daily practices, popular among the ancient Pythagoreans and Stoics, for developing the power of recollection and preparing ourselves for challenging circumstances.  And we considered more broadly the ways in which meditative practices can help us to develop our powers of attention, concentration, clarity, and discernment.  Learn more & access resources here!

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Merlin Student Scholar Fellow: “Grief as Self-Discovery”

Inspired by her interest in grief & the role it can play in our lives, Merlin Student Scholar Fellow Julianna Breit designed and led a workshop on grieving through the lens of philosophy. View more here!

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Philosophy Workshop: Grief as Self-Discovery

In this workshop designed and led by Merlin Student Scholar Fellow Julianna Breit, we offered a framework for acknowledging and understanding grief’s role in our lives through the lens of philosophy. Access resources & photos here.

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2022 Philosophy Symposium: The Ethics of War & Autonomous Weapons Systems

Our philosophy symposium on the ethics of war & autonomous weapons systems (AWS) was part of our 2022 philosophy symposia series supported in part by grants from Humanities Montana and The Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization. In this symposium led by guest speaker Major Hunter Cantrell, we explored just war theory and some of the implications of emerging technologies/autonomous weapons systems on just war theory, military ethics, and social/political philosophy. Access audio-video, resources & photos here!

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2022 Philosophy Symposium: The Military Experience & Culture

Our philosophy symposium on the military experience & culture was part of our 2022 philosophy symposia series supported in part by grants from Humanities Montana and The Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization. In this symposium led by guest speaker (Retired) Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Barrs, we explored perspectives on military life & culture for active duty members and veterans, as well as family members and loved ones (who are also “on duty” in an important sense). Access audio-video, resources & photos here!

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Philosophy Workshop: “Transformative Experiences”

Some experiences in life are so significant, so profound, so intense, that after we go through them, there’s a very real sense in which “we’re not the same person we used to be.” That might involve a change in how we understand ourselves or the world, or in what we value or take to be important. In this workshop, we developed some basic concepts and categories, that might help us make sense of these transformative experiences. We also pointed toward some of the bigger philosophical questions that are lurking behind the problem of transformative experience, including rational choice, personal identity, and freedom & the Good. Access the session recording & other resources here!

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