Existentialism Test

Test #6 - Existentialism

Work Day!

• Study
• Work on Projects
• A Small Favor:
• https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LJ2T9WM

Nietzsche

Objective

• Evaluate problems faced by the Ethical Life

Agenda

• Alain de Botton - Nietzsche on Hardship
• Discussion
• Nerdwriter - Kintsugi

Kierkegaard IV

Objective

• Evaluate problems faced by the Ethical Life

Agenda

• The Problem of the Ethical
• Watch Scrubs - Season 5, Episode 20 - "My Lunch"
• Discussion
• The Religious Life

Sartre - Existentialism Is A Humanism

Objective

• Describe the major ideas of Existentialism as presented by Jean Paul Sartre
• Evaluate Sartre's concepts of freedom, authenticity, and humanism. 

Agenda

• Return Readings
• Music: "Ecce Homo" by Titus Andronicus
• Video - School of Life (Sartre)
• Discussion: Existentialism is a Humanism

Kierkegaard II

Agenda

• Reading Check
• Finish Crop Rotation
• Discuss Diapsalmata
• Read: Equilibrium

Kierkegaard I

Agenda

• Return Papers
• Classwork Reminder & Absences
• If you're here the day a reading is due and it's incomplete, it is a zero with no chance to turn it in.  The whole purpose is preparing for the discussion.
• If you're absent the day an assignment is due, it's your job to turn it into the inbox or talk to me immediately upon your return.
• If you're absent, it's your job to find out everything you missed from a peer.  You can also check the website and talk to me - but I'm not going to track you down.
• Check your grades online.  Note the following:
• Blank means it isn't graded yet and it won't affect you one way or the other
• Zero means it's a zero.  You're done.
• Z means it's missing and you can turn it in late for 50% credit.  As time passes, these turn into zeros.
• On Safe Spaces handouts, very varied responses.  High quality work got bonus points.
• If you goof off in class, then I expect you're doing the work at home.  If you're busy outside of school, then you should be laser focused with in-class work time.
• Tests were a BIG improvement this time - quite a few people with 100% or higher.
• Kierkegaard Discussion - Crop Rotation
• Reading Time

Test & Nihilism

Agenda

• Test - Justice
• Nihilism Notes
• Kierkegaard - A Brief Introduction
• Begin Reading (if time)

Coming Up

• Read "Crop Rotation" for Wednesday (Tomorrow)
• An introduction to the aesthetic lifestyle
• Read "The Diapsalmata" for Thursday
• We'll discuss A's perspective
• Read "Equilibrium" for Friday
• We'll talk about The Ethical Life and watch Scrubs

Ideologies

Objective

• Explain the role of ideology in our society
• Evaluate presidential candidates in the context of political ideology

Agenda

• A Precise Definition of Ideology
• The Packet
• Review Fascism Briefly
• Haidt - The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives
• https://www.isidewith.com/
• STUDY FOR TOMORROW'S TEST!

Coming Up

• Justice Test (tomorrow) & Nihilism
• Wednesday: Kierkegaard

Fascism Friday

Fascism has cropped up in the news lately through attacks on Donald Trump:

http://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/republicans-deploy-the-f-word-on-trump-574517315590

http://www.cc.com/video-clips/pe52qd/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-donald-trump-s-islamophobic--reporter-mocking-saga

Let's evaluate if these criticisms are valid or simply name-calling, by considering Umberto Eco's analysis of the commonalities between fascist movements.

http://www.pegc.us/archive/Articles/eco_ur-fascism.pdf

Applied Philosophy: Free Speech and Safe Spaces

Follow the instructions on this page.

Applied Philosophy: The Social Contract and War

Follow the instructions on this page

Ideology

Agenda

• Socialism Notes - Marx on Revolution
• Ideology Interlude:
• Brief Lecture on Political Spectrum
• Single vs. Multi-Axis Models
• Problems.
• Work Time
• View Ideology Videos (see unit page)

Coming Up...

• Thursday - Conservatism I
• DUE: Read & Annotate "On Conservatism"
• Friday: Conservatism II
• Monday: The Social Contract: Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau
• Tuesday: BSG - Bastille Day (I think?)
• After Break:  Free Speech & J.S. Mill, A Fair Start & John Rawls, Fascism, Justice Test

Socialism III

Agenda

• "Why Socialism?" Discussion
• Socialism Notes - Marx on Revolution

Coming Up...

• Wednesday - Political Ideology Interlude / Read Oakshott
• Thursday - Notes on Conservatism & Discuss On Conservatism Reading
• DUE: Read & Annotate "On Conservatism"

Socialism II

Agenda

• Socialism
• Introductory Notes
• Alienated Labor Reading
• More Notes!

Coming Up...

• Monday - Marx's Critique of Capitalism / Read Einstein
• Tuesday - Marx on Revolution & Utopia / Discuss Einstein
• DUE:  "Why Socialism" & Watch Marx Videos By This Day (See Unit Page)
• Wednesday - Political Ideology Interlude / Read Oakshott
• Thursday - Notes on Conservatism & Discuss On Conservatism Reading
• DUE: Read & Annotate On Conservatism

Socialism

Agenda

• Socialism
• Introductory Notes
• Alienated Labor Reading
• More Notes!

Coming Up...

• Monday - Marx's Critique of Capitalism 
• Tuesday - Marx on Revolution & Utopia
• DUE:  Watch Marx Videos By This Day (See Unit Page)
• Wednesday - Notes on Conservatism & Discuss On Conservatism Reading
• DUE: Read & Annotate On Conservatism
• Thursday - Political Ideology Interlude

Ayn Rand

Agenda

• Let's Talk About Learning
• Ayn Rand
• Notes + Interview with Mike Wallace
• Discussion
• Socialism
• Introductory Notes

Coming Up...

• Tomorrow - Discuss Alienated Labor Reading
• Monday - Marx's Critique of Capitalism
• Tuesday - Marx on Revolution & Utopia
• Wednesday - Notes on Conservatism & Discuss On Conservatism Reading
• Thursday - Locke and Hobbes on The Social Contract

Test - Ethics

Out Sick - Libertarianism

I'm unfortunately not doing so well today.  As a result, your test is pushed back one day and you'll start looking at Libertarianism.   I'll be calling on the help of Dr. Sandel one more time to guide us in this task.  Watch the video below, this information will be critical to our Justice Unit.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwIbwzlGiU3sMWlKYnJvX1JNT3c/view?usp=sharing

Even if it says "we're processing this video" you should be able to download it without issue.  It is also available on youtube if you search for it on your phones.

I will hopefully see you all tomorrow.  Have a good day.

Virtue Ethics Day 2

Agenda

• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
• Analyze Virtues & Vices
• Complete Worksheet (turn in @ end of class)
• Review for Test

This Week

• Tomorrow - Ethics Test & Libertarianism
• Wednesday - Marxism
• Thursday - Marxism
• Friday - Conservatism

Sub Plans - Virtue Ethics Reading

Mr M is out today to work on curriculum for computer science.  Please complete the following assignment on Virtue Ethics during class.  These ideas might come up tomorrow during our final BSG discussion!

Kant

Objective

• Evaluate Kant's deontological principles

Agenda

• Kant PowerPoint

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow: BSG - Pegasus II
• Wednesday: Virtue Ethics Reading
• Thursday: BSG - Pegasus III

Animal Liberation

Objective

• Evaluate two famous thought experiments
• Analyze the benefits and pitfalls of Utilitarian logic

Agenda

• Singer - Animal Liberation Discussion

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow: Pegasus
• Monday: Kant

The Greater Good

Objective

• Evaluate two famous thought experiments
• Analyze the benefits and pitfalls of Utilitarian logic

Agenda

• Trolley Problem
• Types of Ethics
• Utilitarianism
• Bentham
• Queen vs. Dudley and Stephens

Coming Up!

• Friday: Utilitarianism #2

What Is Love?

Objective

• Evaluate philosopher's arguments about love

Agenda

• PowerPoint

Coming Up!

• Tues: Test + Presentations
• Wed: Project Day
• Thursday: Utilitarianism #1
• Friday: Utilitarianism #2

500 Days of Summer - Part Two

Objective

• Evaluate Tom & Summer's relationship

Agenda

• Film: 500 Days of Summer (30 minutes)
• Discussion

Homework

• due next Tuesday - Happiness Project

Coming Up!

• Thur: Project Day
• Mon: Philosophers on Love
• Tues: Test + Project Day #1 

500 Days of Summer

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about love and attachment,

Agenda

• Film: 500 Days of Summer

Homework

• due next Monday - Happiness Project

Coming Up!

• Wed: 500 Days of Summer (Finish + Discuss)
• Thur: Project Day
• Mon: Philosophers on Love
• Tues: Test + Project Day #1 

Haidt - Love & Attachment

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about love and attachment,

Agenda

• Reading Check
• Discussion: Love & Attachment
• Project Time

Homework

• due next Monday - Happiness Project

Coming Up!

• Tuesday:  Plato's Symposium + The School of Life
• Wed/Thurs: 500 Days of Summer

Friendship!

Objective

• Analyze Aristotle's assessment of friendship

Agenda

• Nichomachean Ethics Discussion

Homework

• due Monday
• Haidt Ch 6 - Love & Attachment - Due Monday (Read + Annotate)

Coming Up!

• Monday: Discuss Haidt
• Tuesday:  What is Love?  Plato's Symposium + The School of Life
• Wed/Thurs: 500 Days of Summer

Aristotle

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about happiness

Agenda

• Aristotle PowerPoint
• Work Time
• Conference with Mr. M about topics
• Topic Sign-Up Form
• Pick one by Monday!

Homework

• due Friday
• Nichomachean Ethics (Read + Annotate)

Coming Up!

• Thursday: Nichomachean Ethics Discussion

Happiness Comes From Between

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about happiness

Agenda

• Annotation Check
• Discussion:  Happiness Hypothesis Ch 10

Homework

• due Wednesday 
• Pursuit of Happiness - Aristotle (Just read) 
• School of Life - Aristotle (Watch)
• due Friday
• Nichomachean Ethics (Read + Annotate)

Coming Up!

• Wednesday: Aristotle PowerPoint
• Thursday: Work Day
• Thursday: Nichomachean Ethics Discussion

Happiness Hypothesis

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about happiness

Agenda

• Collect Journals
• Annotation Check
• Discussion:  Happiness Hypothesis Ch 5

Homework

• due Monday 
• Pursuit of Happiness - Epicurus (Just read)
• due Tuesday 
• Happiness Hypothesis Ch 10 (Read + Annotate)
• due Wednesday 
• Pursuit of Happiness - Aristotle (Just read) 
• School of Life - Aristotle (Watch)
• due Thursday
• Nichomachean Ethics (Read + Annotate)

Coming Up!

• Monday: Epicurus PowerPoint
• Tuesday: Happiness Hypothesis Ch 10 Discussion
• Wednesday: Aristotle PowerPoint
• Thursday: Nichomachean Ethics Discussion

Taoism / Test #2

Objective

• Explain the main tenets of Taoism

Agenda

• Taoism PowerPoint 
• Regina Spektor
• Yin & Yang
• Lao Tzu
• Quotes
• Work-Life Balance
• Test #2
• Homework!
• Read Happiness Hypothesis Ch 5 for Friday
• Journal Entry #4 - Eastern Religions  (next collection: Friday)

Coming Up!

• Thursday: Stoics
• Friday: Happiness Hypothesis Ch 5

Guest Speaker / Taoism

Objective

• Explain the main tenets of Taoism

Agenda

• Guest Speaker on Buddhism - Mr. Haardt
• Taoism PowerPoint 
• Regina Spektor
• Yin & Yang

Coming Up!

• Wednesday: Finish Notes & Test #2 
• Thursday: Stoics 
• Friday: Happiness Hypothesis Ch 5

Buddhism

Objective

• Evaluate if whether or not one ought to believe in God
• Explain the main tenets of Buddhism

Agenda

• Discuss Life of Pi
• Buddhism PowerPoint / Short Readings / Discussion
• Franz Ferdinand
• An Exercise
• School of Life
• Notes
• Readings
• Thunk

Coming Up!

• Tuesday: Taoism
• Wednesday: Test & Stoics

Life of Pi (Two Days)

Mr. M will be out on Friday.  As such, here are the plans and assignments for both Thursday and Friday in one epic post.

The Plan

• Watch Life of Pi  
• Complete Journal Entry #3 - Life of Pi
• Watch "Thunk" Videos to Review a few ideas  (see Unit Page)
• The Problem of Evil
• Pascal's Wager and Aliens

You'll likely have a little time in class tomorrow after Life of Pi to do the journal entry and watch the videos.  Please take advantage of it!  Keep in mind that I will begin collecting journals next week.  There will not be a quiz on the Thunk videos, but they're excellent reviews (and they may have some new info - which is fair game on the test). 

As a side note, if you look back on Unit 1 and the Introduction, I've posted more videos from Thunk on topics we've discussed.  You won't be tested on them, but if you're curious they're really interesting.

Next Week

• Monday - Buddhism
• Tuesday - Taoism / Review
• Wednesday - Test #2: God & A Lesson on Stoicism
• Thursday - Happiness Hypothesis - Happiness Comes From Between
• Friday - Epicurus 

Pascal's Wager

Objective

• Evaluate if whether or not one ought to believe in God

Agenda

• Annotation Check
• Discuss Pascal's Wager

Coming Up!

• Thursday: Life of Pi
• Friday:  Life of Pi

The Problem of Evil

Objective

• Evaluate if whether or not one ought to believe in God

Agenda

• Explain God Unit
• Discuss Epicurus' Problem Of Evil

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow: Pascal's Wager
• Thursday: Life of Pi
• Friday:  Life of Pi

Dollhouse

Objective

• Watch 

Agenda

• Update: Mr. M is absurd.  Pushing things back!
• Watch Dollhouse - Man on the Street - S1E6

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow: Determinism vs. Free Will
• Friday: Test #1 - Truth

The Divided Mind

Objective

• Discuss a collection of essays about epistemology and metaphysics.

Agenda

• "Quiz" on In Praise of Idleness  / HH Reading Check
• Discuss In Praise of Idleness (Briefly)
• Discuss Happiness Hypothesis
• Psychology Sidebar - "This Video Will Make You Angry"

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow: Determinism vs. Free Will
• Thursday: Test #1 - Truth

Sick day - In Praise of Idleness

Class -

I'm unfortunately sick again.  I wish I could join you all today, but I'm not doing so well.  So we don't waste the day, I'm going to share an excellent essay we sometimes read about that relates to politics, happiness, economics, and BEING LAZY.  What better way to celebrate the coming weekend?

Please read the following essay, titled "In Praise of Idleness" by Bertrand Russel;

https://libcom.org/files/Bertrand%20Russell%20-%20In%20Praise%20of%20Idleness.pdf

You will have a brief open-note reading quiz about it on Tuesday, and then we'll resume our usual schedule.

If for some reason this link does not work at school, endeavor to find another one.  A simple search of the title and author should yield many versions.

What is True?

Objective

• Discuss a collection of essays about epistemology and metaphysics.

Agenda

• What Is True? Discussion

Homework...

• Read and Annotate "The Divided Mind" Packet (Friday)

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow: Mind PowerPoint
• Friday: The Divided Mind discussion
• Tuesday: Determinism vs. Free Will
• Wednesday: Test #1 - Truth

Rachel's Challenge

Objective

• Talk about ethics and arguments

Agenda

• Assembly
• Discuss Rachel's Challenge

Homework...

• Read and Annotate "The Divided Mind" Packet (Friday)

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow:  "What is True?" Discussion 
• Thursday: Mind PowerPoint
• Friday: The Divided Mind discussion

Descartes

Objective

• Explain major ideas from metaphysics
• Analyze the major themes of Descartes' Meditations

Agenda

• Quiz
• Discuss Descartes
• "What is True?" Reading

Homework...

• Read and Annotate "What is True" Packet (Tomorrow)

Coming Up!

• Friday:"What Is True?" Discussion

Epistomology

Objective

• Describe major fields of Philosophy
• Explain major ideas in Epistemology

Agenda

• Epistomology PowerPoint
• Reading Time!

Homework...

• Prepare for Reading Quiz on Blackburn (Tomorrow)
• Read and Annotate "What is True" Packet (Friday)

Coming Up!

• Thursday: Reading Quiz (Blackburn) / Reading Time
• Friday:"What Is True?" Discussion

The Allegory of the Cave

Objective

• Analyze Plato's Allegory of the Cave

Agenda

• With your own / on your groups - watch - "What is Philosophy For?"
• Allegory of the Cave Assignment (see Truth)
• At 10:10 - Discuss Allegory of the Cave

Homework...

• Prepare for Reading Quiz on Blackburn (Thurs)
• Read and Annotate "What is True" Packet (Friday)

Coming Up!

• Wednesday: Epistemology PowerPoint / Reading Time
• Thursday: Reading Quiz (Blackburn) / Reading Time
• Friday:"What Is True?" Discussion

The Apology (Part 2)

Objective

• Evaluate Plato's depiction of Socrates in The Apology
• Evaluate the proposition that: "the good man cannot be harmed"

Agenda

• Discuss Plato's Apology
• Reading Time - Use It!

Homework...

• Prepare for Reading Quiz on Blackburn (Thurs)
• Read and Annotate "What is True" Packet (Friday)

Coming Up!

• Tomorrow:  Allegory of the Cave Assignment / Discussion
• Wednesday: Epistemology PowerPoint / Reading Time
• Thursday: Reading Quiz (Blackburn) / Reading Time
• Friday:"What Is True?" due

The Apology

Objective

• Evaluate Plato's depiction of Socrates in The Apology
• Evaluate the proposition that: "the good man cannot be harmed"

Agenda

• Grab a "What is True?" Packet
• Discuss Plato's Apology

Homework 

• Begin reading for next week.  Aim to have it done by Tuesday.  May be extended.

Logic Quiz & Presentations!

Objective

• Analyze logical fallacies

Agenda

• Logic Quiz
• Logic Presentations
• Explanation / Poster
• Skit
• Read Plato's Apology

Homework 

• Plato's Apology (due tomorrow!)

Logic Posters

Objective

• Analyze logical fallacies

Agenda

• Logic PowerPoint
• Work on Posters / Skit (tomorrow in class!)

Homework 

• Logic Reading (open-note quiz tomorrow)
• Plato's Apology (due Friday)

Coming Up:

• Thursday: Logic Quiz, Present Posters, Reading Time
• Friday: Discuss Plato's Apology

Socrates & Logic

Objective

• Describe the life of Socrates
• Analyze logical fallacies

Agenda

• Socrates PowerPoint
• Posters & Skit

Homework 

• Logic Reading (open-note quiz on Thursday)
• Plato's Apology (due Friday)

Coming Up:

• Wednesday: Logic Notes + Present Posters
• Thursday: Logic Quiz, Reading Time
• Friday: Discuss Plato's Apology

Introduction

Objective

• Explain classroom procedures and expectations
• Analyze the purpose of philosophy

Agenda

• Introduction PowerPoint
• Computers
• Log On
• Website 
• Assign teams, begin planning poster and skit

Homework 

• Info Sheet / Permission Slip  (due Tuesday)
• Bring in arts & craft supplies (for Tomorrow & Wednesday)
• Logic Reading (open-note quiz on Thursday)
• Plato's Apology (due Friday)

Coming Up:

• Tuesday: Socrates + Poster Creation
• Wednesday: Logic Notes + Finish posters and present them
• Thursday: Logic Quiz, Reading Time
• Friday: Discuss Plato's Apology

Last Day

Agenda

• Sign The Board
• Feedback on Readings & Media
• Something You've Learned
• My PowerPoint

Purpose Projects III

Extra Credit Pop Quiz  (up to +5 points)

Libertarianism

Libertarian PowerPoint & Discussion

Purpose Project Signup!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hmfACSbziXbxYgSSPf57mWBe5cJ-cZ37DjuYz21Juv8/edit?usp=sharing

Dollhouse Part Two

Agenda

• Dollhouse S2E5- "The Public Eye" (Netflix)
• Discussion  (Questions)

Identity - Extra Day

On Thursday, we had an evacuation drill that knocked fourth block off schedule.  We're going to have a catch-up day, then resume our schedule as follows.

Block 3

• Work Time
• Watch V-Sauce
• Plan Projects
• Lunch
• Discussion

Block 4

• Finish Dollhouse S1E6
• Discussion
• Work Time
• Watch V-Sauce
• Discussion

Upcoming Schedule

• Tues 5/12 - Dollhouse S2E4
• Wed 5/13 - Project Day (AP Exams Conflict), TOPICS DUE
• Thurs 5/14 - Dollhouse S2E5
• Friday 5/15 - Nozick
• Monday 5/18 - Rawls
• Tuesday 5/19 - ????
• Wednesday 5/20 - Purpose Presentations, PROJECT DUE
• Thursday 5/21 - Purpose Presentations
• Friday 5/22 - Purpose Presentations
• Tuesday 5/26 - Last Day!

Existentialism Test

Agenda

• Test #5 - Existentialism 
• Watch Dollhouse
• Season 1, Episode 6 - "Man on The Street"

Camus

Agenda

• Mini-Lecture: Major Themes of Camus
• Notes
• Scrubs S8E2 - "My Last Words"
• Discussion
• Journal #10
• Pick one idea from one existentialist thinker we've studied this unit that resonated with you.  Summarize it, and then explain why it's significant to you.

Coming Up:

• Tomrrow: Existentialism Test

Sartre

Agenda

• Mini-Lecture: Major Themes of Sartre
• Absurdity
• Radical Freedom
• "The Look"
  
• Existentialism as Humanism
• Discussion

Coming Up:

• Tomorrow: Camus & Scrubs
• Thursday: Test

Ag Day!

Agenda

• Read Peter Singer - "Animal Liberation" (20 min)
• Discuss (25 min)
• Go Outside!

Homework For Tuesday

• Watch Sarte Video
• Read "Existentialism as a Humanism" 

Nietzsche

Agenda

• Introduce Purpose Projects
• Unit Outline - Available On Right
• Watch "School of Life" Video on Nietzsche
• Nietzsche Assignment (due today)
• Discuss Main Ides

Tomorrow

• We're going outside for Ag Day!
• We'll talk about Animal Rights with Peter Singer

Homework

• By Monday, watch "School of Life" on Sarte
• Monday is a work day
• By Tuesday, read "Existentialism As A Humanism" - 20 short pages

Kierkegaard III

Agenda (Block 3)

• PowerPoint - The Ethical Life (Block 3)
• Problem of the Ethical
• Watch Scrubs - Season 5, Episode 20 - "My Lunch"
• Discussion

Agenda (Block 4)

• Review Aesthetic & Ethical
• The Problem of the Ethical
• Watch Scrubs - Season 5, Episode 20 - "My Lunch"
• Discussion
• The Religious Life

Kierkegaard II

Agenda

• Discuss Either/Or - "The Diapsalmata"
• Reading Time
• Discuss Either/Or - Judge William's Letter

Coming Up

• Tomorrow: Judge William and the Ethical Life - And Scrubs

Ethics Test / Existentialism Intro

Agenda

• Ethics Test
• Nihilism and Existentialism PowerPoint

Coming Up

• Friday: Ethics Test, PowerPoint on Existentialism & Nihilism
• Monday: Kierkegaard

Ethics Wrap-Up Day

Agenda

• Watch TED Talk - "Dan Ariely - Our Buggy Moral Code"
• Discussion
• Review For Test
• Brief Kierkegaard / Existentialism Intro
• Begin Kierkegaard Reading - "Crop Rotation" due on Monday

Coming Up

• Friday: Ethics Test, PowerPoint on Existentialism & Nihilism
• Monday: Kierkegaard

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Agenda

• Finish Virtue Ethics Notes
• Watch Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
• Discuss the musical in the context of virtue ethics

Coming Up

• Tomorrow:  TED Talk - A Lesson On Cheating, Ethics Review, Work Time
• Friday: Ethics Test, PowerPoint on Existentialism & Nihilism
• Monday: Kierkegaard

Ethics Part 1 & 2 Review

Have you been absent?  Miss a day or two of notes on Utilitarianism and Deontology?  Need  a review before the test?  Please look at the "For Your Consideration" page (see right bar).  My powerpoints are closely aligned with the Justice course from Harvard (read: I stole lessons from Dr. Sandel).  The entire course is on youtube.  The four links provided will allow you to catch up on missed days, and do so more effectively than reading the PowerPoint alone.

Battlestar Galactica

Agenda

• We'll spend a few days watching Battlestar Galactica to examine ethical dillemmas.
• Your assignment is on this page:
• Battlestar Ethics
• You'll write two journal entries this week.  These should be #8 and #9.  See the page above for details.
• We'll mostly be watching the show in class, but there will be times we stop to discuss the moral issues faced by the characters.

Peter Singer and Kant

Agenda

• Consequentialism
• Discuss Peter Singer's arguments about "The Drowning Child"
• Evaluate Utilitarianism
• Activity: http://slaveryfootprint.org
• Deontology
• Kant Introduction

Utilitarianism (Part 3)

Agenda

• Utilitarianism Powerpoint
• Higher & Lower Pleasures
• John Stuart Mill
• Examples
• Music
• Comedy
• Discussion 
• Drowning Child
• Why I Am Not A Utilitarian

Utilitarianism (Part 2)

Agenda

• Utilitarianism Powerpoint
• Bentham
• Queen vs. Dudley and Stephens
• Measuring Utility

Assignments

• Utilitarian Readings due Thursday (due tomorrow)

Utilitarianism (Part 1)

Agenda

• Happiness Papers - Common Problems
• Return Happiness Papers
• Turn In "In Praise of Idleness"
• Missing Work Reminder
• Today is your absolute last day
• Hand in any missing work by the end of the period
• Make up test at lunch or after school (before 2:45)
• Story Time
• "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas"
• Discussion
• Utilitarianism Powerpoint
• The Trolley Problem
• Bentham

Happiness Presentations Day Two

Podcast:
Nate Self - Authenticity (14 min)

Happiness Test & Presentations Day 1

• Happiness Test Link
• Project Presentations

500 Days of Summer (Part 2)

Happiness Test Review

500 Days of Summer

Objective

• Evaluate the ideas of Love & Friendship in the film 500 Days of Summer

Agenda

• Turn In Reign Over Me Video Sheets!
• Journal #7:  Describe your most valued friendship.  Is it for utility, pleasure, or complete?  Explain why.
• Film: 500 Days of Summer

Nichomachean Ethics

Objective

• Analyze Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics

Agenda

• Discussion on Nichomachean Ethics
• Topic Signup

Reign Over Me - Part Two

Objective

• Analyze the plot and characters of Reign over Me with regards to happiness and friendship

Agenda

• Project Update
• Topics Due Tomorrow
• Project Due on Monday 3/30
• Door Decoration (p4) - Today After School
• Agenda Update
• Today - Reign Over Me
• Tomorrow - Nichomachean Ethics (Day 2),  Reign over Me Sheet Due
• Wed - Haidt Chapter 6: Love & Attachment
• Thur - 500 Days of Summer
• Fri - 500 Days of Summer
• Mon - Test #3: Happiness
• Today
• Watch Reign over Me
• Discuss Reign over Me

Reign Over Me - Part One

Objective

• Analyze the plot and characters of Reign over Me with regards to happiness and friendship

Agenda

• Purpose of Film in this Class:
• Video Clip - Aristotle on Art
• Purpose of Tragedy
• Watch Reign over Me

Aristotle

Objective

• Evaluate Aristotle's arguments about Happiness

Agenda

• Permission Slip - Reign over Me
• Take the appropriate one from the middle!
• Get it signed for TOMORROW
• PowerPoint - Aristotle
• Nicomachean Ethics - On Friendship (reading - due tomorrow)

Happiness Hypothesis X

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about Happiness

Agenda

• Discussion - Happiness Hypothesis Chapter 10
• Work Time
• Aristotle (for tomorrow)
•  Reading & Video - See "classical philosophy" on right
• Happiness Project
• Topic & Format - due Wed 18th
• Final Version - due Wed 25th

Epicurus

Objective

• Evaluate Epicurus arguments about Happiness

Agenda

• Notes & Discussion- Epicurus
• Work Time
• Epicurean Reading (Tomorrow)
• Happiness Project
• Topic & Format - due Wed 18th
• Final Version - due Wed 25th

Happiness Hypothesis - Chapter V

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about Happiness

Agenda

• Discussion - Happiness Hypothesis
• Work Time
• Epicurean Reading (Tomorrow)
• Happiness Project
• Topic & Format - due Wed 18th
• Final Version - due Wed 25th

Stoicism

Objective

• Evaluate the idea of Stoicism

Agenda

• Music: "Float On" by Modest Mouse
• Stoicism Notes & Discussion
• Video - "This is Water"
• Happiness Project
• Topic & Format - due Wed 18th
• Final Version - due Wed 25th

Happiness Hypothesis

Objective

• Evaluate Haidt's arguments about the human mind and happiness

Agenda

• Test #2 - God
• Happiness Hypothesis - Chapter One - Discussion
• Homework  (see right bar for details)
• Tomorrow - Classical Philosophy (Stoicism)
• Wednesday - Happiness Hypothesis Chapter 5

Religion Wrap-Up

Block 3

• Discussion - Life of Pi
• MDS3 Survey  (After Lunch)
• Website
• Password: ya727f5f
• Work Time
• Happiness Hypothesis - Chapter 1 (due next class)
• Study for Test #2 - God  (test next class)

Block 4

• Discussion - Life of Pi
• Work Time
• Happiness Hypothesis - Chapter 1 (due next class)
• Study for Test #2 - God  (test next class)

Journal #6 - Can we choose to "believe the better story?"  Which story do you believe and why? (For this, you can use either God or Pi as the topic).

Pascal's Wager

Objective

• Evaluate Pascal's argument for belief in God

Agenda

Note to Block 3:  Your tests in Pinnacle were mistakenly labeled to be out of 40 points, instead of 36.  This is corrected.  Your grades should be improved!  

• Music: Unbelievers by Vampire Weekend (Lyrics)
• Collecting Some Journals!
• Pascal's Wager Discussion
• Watch Life of Pi

Western Religions

Objective

• Describe world religions and evaluate arguments for belief in God

Agenda

Short Class - 2 Hour Delay

• Crash Course - Quiz #2 - Western Religions
• Continue Discussion on Buddhism
• Journal #5 - Buddhist thinks all suffering comes from desire.  How ought one respond to this problem in order to live a good life?
• Reading - Pascal's Wager - Due Wednesday 2/25

Eastern Religions

Objective

• Explain major ideas of epistemology and metaphysics.

Agenda

Short Class - 2 Hour Delay

• Music - "Right Action" by Franz Ferdinand
• The chorus "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" refers to three elements of the Buddhist Eightfold Path
• Quick Video Clip - "How you feel after too much Descartes."
• Test #1 Scores are in Pinnacle
• Slight curve (~2.5%) - one question made EC.
• Average Score = 80%
• Crash Course - Quiz #1 - Eastern Religions
• Begin Discussion on Buddhism

Test #1 - Knowledge

Objective

• Explain major ideas of epistemology and metaphysics.

Agenda

• Test #1 - Knowledge
• World Religions (Crash Course)
• Journal Entries (we're up to #4, see previous days).

Determinism vs. Free Will

Test #1: Knowledge has been delayed until tomorrow.

Objective

• Evaluate the concept of free will

Agenda

• Get Community Character List 
• Ok-Go Music Video: "This Too Shall Pass"
• Brief Lecture - Determinism vs. Free Will
• Q&A
• Community - Remedial Chaos Theory
• Discussion
• Journal Entry #4 - Do we have free will?  Why or why not?
• Study / Work on Crash Course (if time)

If you are absent today:

• Watching the episode of community is optional, however
• Read up on the Determinism vs. Free Will Debate
• Main ideas: Wikipedia - Free Will
• A handy video:  Wireless Philosophy - Problem of Free Will
• This won't be on this test, but will be tested later  (God/Identity units)
• You still need to complete journal entry #4 by Friday

Test Postponed

I know many of you will be attending Claire's funeral on Wednesday.  As a result, I am going to postpone the test until Thursday.  The first crash course quiz will be on Friday, and the second on Monday.

What is True?

Objective

• Analyze arguments about the limits of our knowledge

Agenda

• Attendance
• Test Review Sheet
• Explain Test Format
• Branches of Philosophy
• Small Group Discussion - Randomized
• Share thoughts on one article in depth
• Whole Class Discussion
• Discuss each article briefly
• Review Time
• Journal Entry #3: Evaluate the Simulation Argument.
• Test #1: Knowledge is Tuesday

The Thirteenth Floor

Objective

• Analyze Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy

Agenda

• Watch The Thirteenth Floor (60 min)
• Discussion
• Meditation III is due on Tuesday, February 10th.
• Knowledge readings are due on Wednesday, February 11th.
• Test #1: Knowledge is on Thursday, February 12th.

Descartes - Meditation II

Objective

• Analyze Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy

Agenda

• Discuss Descartes Second Meditation (45 min)
• Journal Entry #2:
• Is Theseus' ship the same after all the changes?  What about the other 'replica' ship using original parts? Explain your thoughts on the problem from our discussion.
• Watch The Thirteenth Floor (45 min)
• Meditation III is due on Tuesday, February 10th.

Work Day

Objective

• Analyze Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy

Agenda

• Work Day
• Journal Entry #1:
• Have you ever had a significant belief called into doubt?  If so, how did this cause you to rethink your other beliefs?  If not, consider what it would be like if one was.
• Do you agree or disagree with Descartes ' plan to "start over" with a new belief system from nothing in light of his past errors?

Descartes - Meditation I

Objective

• Analyze Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy
  

Agenda

• Reading Check
• Meditation I Discussion
• Read Meditation II
• Tomorrow: Thirteenth Floor

Logical Fallacies

Objective

• Explain major logical structures

Agenda

• Work On Logic Presentations  (45 min)
• Presentations
• Begin Descartes Meditations
• Meditation I - Due Wed
• Meditation II - Due Fri
• Meditation III - Due Mon

Logical Reasoning

Objective

• Explain major logical structures

Agenda

• Logic Reading Quiz
• Work On Logic Presentations