Philosophy Walk

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…

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Congratulations Henry Kramer: 2019 Merlin Student Scholar Fellow

We are thrilled to announce our 2019 Merlin Student Scholar Fellow, Henry Kramer.  A graduate student at the University of Montana, Missoula, Henry is currently working toward two Master’s Degrees — one in Environmental Philosophy, and the other in Literature. As part of his fellowship work with Merlin, Henry will be developing, conducting and co-leading several philosophy in the community projects related to the human-nature relationship, environmental ethics, ecology, eco-phenomenology, and the phenomenology of imagination and story.

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Merlin Community Scholar Fellow Makes the Paper with His Elk Project

Congratulations to 2019 Merlin Community Scholar Fellow, Thomas Baumeister, for making the paper with his research and writing project on elk.  Prompted by a concern for the state of hunting and conservation and ethical questions regarding the measure of the hunt, fairness, and respect, Thomas offers valuable & important food for thought — for hunters and non-hunters alike.  The article is a perfect example of how philosophy reaches beyond the classroom and why asking philosophical questions matter to our everyday lives (and the lives of others), practices, and policies. The piece went live on the Merlin website on Sunday. January 13th, was submitted for consideration as an op-ed to the Helena Independent Record on Monday, Jan. 14th, and appeared as a featured “guest view” article on-line and in print on Thursday, Jan. 17th.

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Theodor W. Adorno: The Culture Industry (Part 2)

This article, written by Merlin volunteer and scholar Jonathan Drake, explores the work of Theodor W. Adorno and offers an analysis of his philosophical reflections on the “culture industry,” Marx’s commodity fetishism, mass media, and the liberating potential of art.

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Merlin Receives $1,000 Grant from Humanities Montana for their 2019 “Big Ideas by Little Philosophers” (BiLP) Program

Woo-Hoo!  We are excited to announce that our organization has been awarded a $1,000 grant for our 2019 “Big Ideas by Little Philosophers” (BiLP) program from Humanities Montana.  Our BiLP program is a dynamic, philosophy-inspired television-classroom series designed to help youth share their big ideas with the world.  A collaborative venture with Helena Civic Television and Cottonwood School, the program combines classroom and one-on-one mentorship, pedagogy, philosophy, and theater. Learn more about the program and Humanities Montana here!

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Theodor W. Adorno: An Introduction (Part 1)

A founding member of the Frankfurt School and the philosophical style known as critical theory, Theodor W. Adorno’s contributions continue to have an impact on philosophical, sociological, and aesthetic thought. This article, written by Merlin volunteer and scholar Jonathan Drake, offers an introduction to his works and influence, as well as some important clarifications about his critique of western philosophy and the enlightenment.

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Montana Conversations Philosophy Program at Red Lodge Ales Brewing Co.: The Environment, Conservation & Yellowstone

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. 

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