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Throughout the semester, you will be doing nine experiments in philosophy:
- Civic action.
- Community issue mapping.
- Charitable giving investigation.
- Change making letter.
- Parable of the polygons.
- Volunteer activity.
- Organize an activity.
- Civic engagement activity.
- Letter to future students.
The overarching goal of all these experiments is to help you connect philosophy to the real world and your own experiences to philosophy.
Please note that some experiments in philosophy ask for you to interact with your world and community. However, please do so only in a way that is SAFE and COMFORTABLE to YOU. You get to choose how you will complete these experiments. Please do not hesitate to meet with me if you are encountering difficulties in completing them.
Objectives of the Experiments in Philosophy
- Make the world better (even if only a tiny little bit).
- Engage the public in issues that are important to you.
- Connect the activity of philosophy to your own life and the lives of other people.
- Learn some ways in which your own life and the lives of other people raise questions about the activity of philosophy.
- Learn more about the issues you are addressing, and be in a better position to have and defend your own views on those issues.
- Define, plan, and carry out social action and activities.
- Develop civic engagement and leadership skills.
- Practice your organizational skills and ability to delegate tasks.
- Attain experience and skills to act on social problems.
- Become inspired and motivated to act on social problems.
What You Will Do
The experiments in philosophy consist of a series of activities that you will complete throughout the semester. Each experiment has different guidelines. Some experiments will be followed up with a reflection and, if appropriate, documentation of what you did. I will give you specific requirements as the due dates approach. If you feel anxious about any experiment guidelines—let me know so I can better clarify them.
Without a doubt, this is the most amazing part of the course!
Image: Chatterina / ChatGPT.
Acknowledgment
These “Experiments in Philosophy” are based upon the “Experiments in Ethics” from Ramona Ilea and Monica Janzen. I highly encourage you to visit their website on Engaged Philosophy for much more!