Ladies and gentlemen, tonight you are going to experience a retelling of an amazing discussion between two well known philosophers, an author, and a college student, who at the time had a hunger for understanding people and their psychology. Their names are Nigel Warburton, Kurt Andersen, Julian Baggini, and Killian Gunn.
This discussion was hosted by Mr. Gunn at an art museum in Nashville called the Parthenon. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the name, the Parthenon is a 123 year old recreation of the Parthenon that was built in Ancient Athens 480 B.C.
The Parthenon was built to be a symbol of Ancient Athens’ democracy and victory over Persian forces. It also housed the 42 foot tall statue of Athena the Greek goddess of war, wisdom, and workmanship.
It seems obvious that Mr. Gunn chose the Parthenon because of its importance of Greek history and culture. However, the main reason that Mr. Gunn chose The Parthenon as the setting of his discussion, was because philosophy originated in Ancient Greece from Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
So without further delay, enjoy the show…..
Killian Gunn: Hello there! *In Obi-Wan voice*
Nigel Warburton, Kurt Andersen, and Julian Baggini together: General Kenobi!!
Killian Gunn: *visible happiness* I can’t believe all three of you got it!
Nigel Warburton: *laughter* Yes Yes I enjoyed the movies. And you know the ideas and philosophies that the jedi and sith have about the force are very fascinating.
Julian Baggini: Yes it is Nigel. In fact, I couldn't help but notice the many parallels between Star Wars philosophy and religious philosophy you know. What do you think about it Kurt?
Nigel Warburton: Yes I'm curious about what you think of it.
Killian Gunn: Seconded.
Kurt Andersen: *laughter* Well I haven't seen any of the movies in full. I mean I've seen some movie clips from some of the movies and some star wars memes on twitter...
Julian Baggini: What?
Nigel Warburton: Really?
Killian Gunn: No way.
Kurt Andersen: ...yes I really don't know anything about Star Wars. However I'm more interested in why Killian asked us to come here.
Killian Gunn: Well as scholars of philosophy, I'm sure you all are familiar with its origins and originators.
Nigel Warburton: Yes yes Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are known as the first in Ancient Greece
Julian Baggini: and this museum is a representation of the the architecture of Ancient Greece and wait is that Athena?
Killian Gunn: Yes that is Athena. Anyways I chose this place because it represents the beginning of philosophy and also because a professor of mine told me awhile ago that walking and talking is a great experience and very therapeutic.
So to begin our discussion: Do you all think philosophy can help people learn to respect truth, facts, reality, and one another, and to reject falsehood, superstition, selfishness, polarization, partisanship, and mutual hostility based on differences of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, belief, etc.? If so, how? If not, why not?
Nigel Warburton: Yes without a doubt. The change of a person due to studying philosophy is an inevitability. It will happen. Now whether that change takes hours, days, or years depends on a person's effort to be proper and serious in their studies. And I call it an inevitability because all our lives are plagued with failures to communicate, non-logical thinking, lack of diverse perspectives, etc. To
Julian Baggini: I also believe everyone can you know but I also believe that not everyone does when they think they have. You know some people will study philosophy, learn something and go "Oooohhhhh so that's how that works or that's what that does!" They will be completely convinced that they have changed and grown about their way of thinking and haven't.
Philosophy is a difficult, challenging, and vast field of study. With that said, everyone can definitely change and if you are serious about it you will grow to be more than what you are now because philosophy is literally the study of greater understanding.
Nice choice of venue, when I taught at Vandy I took students down the street to the Parthenon. Had to shrink it a bit for you here, though, it was spilling out of its boundaries.
ReplyDeleteAndersen does reference Star Wars in fantasyland, though I suppose it's possible he didn't watch the movies. I'd be surprised, though. He seems to regard the popularity of The Force as an indication of America's total surrender to magical thinking.
"The change of a person due to studying philosophy is an inevitability." I wish that were true. I do think philosophy has the potential to change those who open themselves to it, to further their growth and maturity and awareness of possibilities.
A walk or bikeride to the Parthenon sounds nice right about now!