Philosophy Workshop Series: “What is Philosophy?” (The Basics)

To celebrate the new year, we kicked off our 2021 workshop series by looking at the questions: “What is philosophy? What does it involve, what does it do, and why should we care?” For this first ZOOM workshop led by philosopher David Nowakowski, we surveyed several approaches to the question, “What is philosophy?”, each of which raised its own further questions for reflection and discussion. We also took a quick tour of the major areas or divisions of philosophy, as they developed in Greece, India, and elsewhere. Access resources and reading recommendations here!

Continue reading

Philosophy Workshop: Exploring Issues of Race (December 2020)

In this 2½-hour ZOOM philosophy workshop led by philosophers Julia Jorati & Desiree Valentine, we explored and discussed historical and contemporary issues of race. Access resources here!

Continue reading

Philosophy Workshop: Indian & Tibetan Buddhist Skepticism

In this2½-hour ZOOM philosophy workshop led by philosopher David Nowakowski, we investigated Indian & Tibetan Buddhist Skepticism, especially the works of Nāgārjuna. Access resources and reading recommendations here!

Continue reading

Philosophy Workshop: Greek Skepticism (November 2020)

In this2½-hour ZOOM philosophy workshop led by philosopher David Nowakowski, we investigated Greek Skepticism, especially the works of Sextus Empiricus. Access resources and reading recommendations here!

Continue reading

Philosophy as a Way of Teaching: A Handbook (by Dr. Jane Drexler)

Philosopher Jane Drexler, PhD — Associate Professor of Philosophy at Salt Lake Community College — provides a wonderfully informative, relatable…and always entertaining (she’s a hoot!) overview of her approach to teaching, inspired by her unique life experience and philosophy as a way of life.  This video was part of her 2020 Distinguished Faculty Lecture Award (in lieu of a longer discussion, which would have taken place in person if not for COVID).

Continue reading

Philosophy Workshop: The Philosophy of Evil (October 2020)

In this2½-hour ZOOM philosophy workshop led by philosopher David Nowakowski, we investigated the philosophy of evil — both at the level of abstract concepts, and at the level of practical, everyday action. Access resources and reading recommendations here!

Continue reading

Philosophy Workshop: Animism (May 2020)

Many of us take for granted a clear divide between the animate and inanimate. For instance: I am alive, but the chair I sit in is not. My dog is probably alive, as is the oak tree just outside my window. I am somewhat less certain about grass. Or viruses. What does this distinction between the living and nonliving mean to us? Why do we care so deeply about finding a firm line between the two? What might we discover about our world, our own assumptions, and our own ethical action if we are willing to question these categories? Many cultures and peoples throughout the world have never bothered to make such clean distinctions, and even in our contemporary western culture, a movement of philosophers has been challenging this divide from within. In this ZOOM workshop led by philosophers Henry Kramer & David Nowakowski, we explored the philosophy of animism – an orientation toward the world where everything is encountered as meaningfully alive. Access the video and other resources here!

Continue reading

Philosophy Workshop: Stoicism – Ethics & Providence (April 2020)

In these two 2½-hour ZOOM workshops led by philosopher David Nowakowski we investigated Stoic ethics, providence and the world. These two workshops represented our first ZOOM workshops of the year (or ever for that matter — ZOOM was new to us as we typically hold in-person workshops). However, we were grateful to have so many workshop attendees join us and participate in the conversation! See what sorts of things we discussed and access the workshop handouts, activities, and reading recommendations here!

Continue reading