Lots of REMINDERS for today:
Sophie's World Blog entry #5 is posted. It's due on Friday, May 16th.
Your "Squashed Philosophers" should be posted as a comment by Friday, May 16th.
Philosophy Exam #2 is posted. It is due on Friday, May 23rd.
The "Popular Culture and Philosophy" presentations begin today. You all have schedules.
The "Ethics Debates" begin on Wednesday, and you also have those schedules.
I know I sound like a broken record, but you can find the information you need on the "Assignments" page linked to the right...
>>>>
"Philosophers For a Day" - Both Noam Chomsky (Anna K.) and Ayn Rand (Hannah) are scheduled to appear. We have a couple to make-up, but that concludes our regularly scheduled visitors...
Noam Chomsky: In addition to his philosophical works, Noam Chomsky has written extensively on US foreign policy and other issues. He has labeled himself both an "anarchist" and a "libertarian socialist." Take a look around The Noam Chomsky Website, as that contains a long list or articles, debates, etc. Browse around a bit and see what you think.
DO THIS: I'll give you ten minutes to browse through the articles, debates, interviews and whatever else interests you from the site. Select one to read.
You'll be asked to briefly summarize what you've read, and you are invited to critique, criticize or support his ideas as well. We'll just go around the room.
I'd also direct your attention to the transcript of his CNN "On 9-11" debate with William Bennett.
Given his potential to stir up controversy, I thought Wikipedia's entry on Noam Chomsky was pretty interesting.
>>>>>
Ayn Rand and Objectivism: Truly, technology meets philosophy today. You really should check out the web page for The Ayn Rand Institute: The Center for the Advancement of Objectivism. Some specific things you might find interesting are:
* Essentials of Objectivism: This is the best concise introduction to the basics of Rand's philosophy that I have seen.
* Op-Eds: The group writes extensively on current issues.
DO THIS: Pick one of the categories of interest to you from the menu on the right. Read any one of the pieces that catches your eye. Be ready to share their perspective and your reaction to it.
Leave a comment