Congratulations to 2019 Merlin Community Scholar Fellow, Thomas Baumeister, for making the paper once again with his research and writing on the practical and moral challenges associated with elk shoulder seasons. His article was picked up by four papers across Montana: Helena Independent Record, Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the Missoulian, and Butte Standard.
We are so honored to receive an award from The Fanwood Foundation and to be recognized as playing an important part in the world of conservation, stewardship, education, and environmental leadership. Thank you so much, Sara & Tagge, for your belief in our organization and our efforts. And thank you to Bob & Hopie for your friendship, mentorship, and continued inspiration (you are loved and missed).
How we relate to nature is complicated and ever-evolving. Our group — led by co-philosophers-on-trail Christopher Preston & Patrick Kelly — enjoyed a morning & afternoon walk up the steep slopes of the 1906/Prairie trail to the summit of Mt. Helena, and explored a number of topics related to environment, ethics, the public trust doctrine, and stewardship. Access resources & photos here!
Please join us for our philosophy walk on Saturday, June 29th from 9am-12pm where we’ll be exploring environmental ethics, technology, and conservation & land ethics. Special guest speakers/philosophers-on-trail — Christopher Preston (Professor of Philosophy, University of Montana Missoula) & Patrick Kelly (Philosopher & Conservationist, University of Montana Missoula). Some of the…
We are delighted to be presenting a hand-tailored version of our Montana Conversations program “Philosophy: What Is It Good For?” and our Philosophy Think & Drink at Red Lodge Ales Brewing Company! Interactive and dynamic, this program is geared for community members of all ages interested in learning more about how philosophy can help enrich our lives and will specifically examine and apply philosophy (and biomimicry) to some of the environmental and conservation challenges in Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding areas.
Part 3 of our 3-Part Fall Philosophy Walk Series on the environment, ethics & stewardship took place on Sunday, March 24th at Ten Mile Creek Park. Despite the weather being overcast (a change from the sunny day prior) and the trails a bit slushy from the recent melt, our adventure was beautiful and fun. We also heard numerous bird calls from above — geese, gulls, northern flickers — and some fun dog calls (from our furry four-legged’s who joined us on the walk). Sponsored in part by grants from The Philosophy Learning & Teaching Organization & Humanities Montana, our group shared dialogue about philosophical and other perspectives related to current and future environmental & conservation challenges, and featured special guest speakers Thomas Baumeister, Mark Smillie, and Tyrrell Hibbard.
This interactive Q & A-style symposium is part 3 (of a 3-part series) on the environment, ethics & conservation stewardship and features a distinguished panel of invited guest speakers from a variety of disciplines. This evening symposium will be held at Carroll College. Invited speakers will briefly address the theme…
Congratulations to 2019 Merlin Community Scholar Fellow, Thomas Baumeister, for making the paper with his research and writing project on the democracy of wolf conservation. Prompted by bills currently being proposed in Montana that will decide the fate of wolves for years to come and the democratic process of conservation, Thomas asks us to consider the role of adaptive management and pragmatism (over blind ideology) and engaged citizenry(so that the ends do not justify the means) in wolf conservation. The article went live on the Merlin website on Friday, February 8th, was submitted for consideration as an op-ed to the Helena Independent Record on the same day, and appeared as a featured “guest view” article on-line and in print on Wednesday, February 13th.
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“What Say You?” is a fun and casual internet-based philosophy in the community activity inspired by our belief that physical distancing need not mean social distancing. Each week philosopher Dr. Barry Ferst will share some of his philosophical musings on our Merlin Facebook page and invite readers to comment and discuss. Think SNL’s “Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy”….only with somewhat more gravity (maybe). Learn more here!
We deeply regret to announce that we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s fundraiser block party due to the challenges we are all facing with COVID-19. Please read our letter to the community here!
In the past weeks, COVID-19 has taken our communities by storm, forcing the closure of schools, businesses, restaurants, libraries, transport, and more. In other words….a real time, real world Twilight Zone. In response to this, our young philosophers at Cottonwood ALC have opted to take on COVID-19 in a manner that would make Rod Serling & Socrates proud. Their adaptability, creativity, and resilience is inspiring! Check out what they have planned!
In our March Philosophy Workshop led by 2019-2020 Student Scholar Fellow Henry Kramer we investigated the connections between wonder, nature, imagination, and play through lecture, discussion, and exercises. Access resources and photos here!
“Real wisdom does not merely cause us to know; it makes us ‘be’ in a different way.” (Pierre Hadot) Learn more about philosophy as a way of life.
By investing as a Merlin Corporate Sponsor, you are investing in community. Our Corporate Sponsorships come with several benefits (varying by level) and help to support our philosophy in the community programs. Learn more here!
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