Philosophy Workshop Series: “What is Philosophy?” (Responding to the World)

In this workshop we explored how philosophers (over the millennia, in various corners of the globe) have approached the problems of ethics, and what kinds of answers they’ve proposed. Access resources and reading recommendations here!

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Philosophy Workshop: Thinking Ecologically About Virtue & Value (Fall 2019)

For many philosophers, scientists, and ordinary people, “species” are not only descriptive categories of how things are, but ideal models for how things should be. In this workshop, led by David Nowakowski, we took a whirlwind tour of “species” from antiquity to the present, in order to better understand the hidden assumptions behind our own thinking today…and what thinking ecologically might tell us about virtue & value. Access resources & photos here!

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Philosophy Workshop: The Life of Virtue in Greek Philosophy (Summer 2019)

In this 3.5-hour “philosophy as a way of life”-inspired workshop led by special guest scholar & Philosophical Advisor for Merlin CCC, David Nowakowski, PhD we looked at what it might mean to live a life of virtue. Select readings and activities inspired by numerous ancient (and some contemporary) thinkers were examined and applied with the aim of introducing participants to a variety of philosophical perspectives on virtuous living and practical tools for living well. Access resources & photos here!

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July 2019 Philosophy Walk: Virtue & Hope

Our group enjoyed fantastic weather and a lovely hike up Dump Gulch Trail on our July Philosophy Walk.   Led by philosopher-on-trail David Nowakowski, we explored the life of virtue and hope…and a range of related questions that arose in the process of this informal, free-flowing discussion. Access resources & photos here!

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March 2019 Philosophy Walk: The Environment, Ethics & Stewardship (Part 3)

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.

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Philosophy Walk

Please join us for this philosophy as a way of life-inspired walk on Saturday, September 14th from 10am-1pm where we’ll be exploring “virtue & ethics: from ecology to ethics.”  Special guest speaker/philosopher-on-trail — David Nowakowski, PhD. To learn more & sign-up for our free meandering, visit our philosophy walks page.

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Philosophy Walk

Please join us for this philosophy as a way of life-inspired walk on Sunday, July 14th from 9am-12pm where we’ll be exploring ethics, “the life of virtue” and hope.  Meeting/Hike Location: Dump Gulch/McKelvey Trailhead (just past the Lime Kilns on Grizzly Gulch Drive). Special guest scholar/philosopher-on-trail — David Nowakowski. This…

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Ancient Greek Insights for Today’s America: A Philosophical Conversation

Sponsored by the Carroll College Philosophy Department and Merlin CCC, this evening program will be an informal conversation about greek philosophical insights and how they relate to can help us navigate our everyday lived experiences. Guest participants will be provided with set questions/topics, not as a debate, but rather as an illuminating conversation. Barry Ferst (Professor of Philosophy, Carroll College) will be serving as the moderator and will aide in directing discussion.

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