Phil-Lit 2013
01.08.2013
After hearing two people's definitions of literature and philosophy:
- What's the interaction of literature and philosophy (8)
- Why do they merit study together? (13)
- When does a text become literature? (2)
- Are literature and philosophy two different names for the same thing? (6)
- When does thought become philosophy? (4)
- Can the terms "philosophy" and "literature" really be defined? (2)
- Are there answers to the above questions? (3)
- How is life absurd? (1)
- Why study the answers other people came up with to something as intensely personal and individualistic as our own lives? (1)
What makes for a good question?
- Thought-provoking
- We don't know their answers
- Their answers are useful/interesting
- They provoke more good questions
01.09.2013
Notes:
What was enlightenment-- Celebrated human reasoning (as opposed to Divinity).
Post-modernism-- Somehow contrasts with modernism...but in what way?
Modernists: Victorians (Common set of values, unburdened by doubt, believe they have the answers)
WWI-- Modernists realize their answers aren't perfect, doubt sets in
WWII-- Americans have family values and believe "we know best".
60s-- As close as America gets to a revolution. Sex and birth control was a projection of a deeper issue.
To have revolution, sense of disenfranchisement and sense of a better society
War, race and sex big pillars of the 60s in social change
The war was a "working peoples war"
American idea that "we saved the world"
In 'Nam... America finally feels "we didn't win"
Putin trying to become new Stalin
Post-modernist writing mostly from 50s-80s
Enlightenment ideals: We don't need God, humans can handle it"
The middle class suburban way of life does not work for every group of people
Democracy in America--minority rights are important. not true democracy
In America very educated people led revolution and democracy evolved
Compromise ingrained in the American way
In Middle East, factions rule, no compromise
A genuine civil rights experience must occur for change to American lifestyle in the Middle East
Groups for the 100 Essential Thinkers project
- Caroline, Pranav
- Maryam, Tommy, Preston
- Charlotte, Braden, Ryan
- .
- Rohan, Carolyn, Andrew Vogeley
- Andrew, Spencer.