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

July 2020 Philosophy Walk: Into the Wild with Muir & Pinchot

What a gorgeous day for our July philosophy walk with author and journalist John Clayton.  And what a great group of people. Through a combination of storytelling, biography, and philosophy, our walk took us into the wild (up Davis Gulch) with John Muir & Gifford Pinchot. Access audio recordings & photos from the walk here!

Continue reading

June 2020 Philosophy Walk: Leisure & Loafing

How nice it was to be outside in the elements after being cooped up for several months (for obvious pandemic-related reasons)! With the sunshine on our backs (coupled with a few bouts of rain), we explored Mount Helena by way of the Daisy Hill, Bitterroot Way, and Prairie Trails and talked about leisure & loafing with philosopher David Nowakowski.
Access audio recordings & photos from the walk here!

Continue reading

“Big Ideas by Little Philosophers” (BiLP) – Winter 2019-2020

During our Winter session we continued our journey into the world of film & philosophy via the Twilight Zone! Our young thinkers split into two groups — with one group focusing their efforts on a philosophical piece exploring time travel, consciousness, and environmental justice and another group focusing their sights on a piece about time travel and racial injustice. Filming began….and the kids were on their way. But then….(as if in our own modern day Twilight Zone)…COVID-19 hit. And things changed. Our young philosophers responded brilliantly. Access photos & videos 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