Greetings, Spring '26 CoPhilosophers. ("CoPhilosophy," or "CoPhi" for short, is my informal name for Intro to Philosophy. Read the masthead quote above, to see why. I'll elaborate on the first day of class.)
Note also: we're going with a no-screens policy this semester... so please do not open your laptops or stare at your phones at any point during class (exceptions noted in the sidebar to the right).
We begin with Introductions. Please click on the comments tab below and tell us
- Who you are;
- Why you're here (at MTSU, in the Honors program, in this course, on this planet);
- What you think Philosophy is;
- Whether you have a pithy personal philosophy of your own (think Sally Brown, Charlie's little sister: "No! That's my new philosophy!");
- Whether you have a favorite philosopher (famous or not);
- The title of the last unassigned book you read and enjoyed;
- Whatever else you'd care to share.
Include your section # (1, 2, or 3), we're sharing this site.
Just for fun: Monty Python's Philosophers Song (it's not true that all the old dead philosophers were drunks), and Douglas Adams's answer to the ultimate question of the Life, the Universe, and Everything.
Looking forward to meeting you all on the 20th!
Dr. Oliver
I'll start.
ReplyDeleteThere's a brief bio of me in the right sidebar. And I posted a little intro for my MALA (Master of Liberal Arts) class:
*Who are you? - I'm the Prof, probably the oldest guy in the room (though that isn't always the case, in MALA classes). I've been teaching at MTSU for a quarter century, but this is the first time I've offered THIS course, "Philosophy in Recent American Fiction"...
My special interest is in American philosophy, particularly that of pragmatist William James. [And btw: I am current president of the William James Society.]
*Why are you here? - I'm at MTSU because they hired me, not long after the Belmont provost un-hired me when I expressed sympathy for the Unitarian Universalist credo ("guided by reason and inspired by love, we celebrate diversity, confront oppression, and promote environmental and social justice"). And in retrospect, I'm glad he did! I've been happy at MTSU (and teach a course called Philosophy of Happiness). I'm in Middle Tennessee because I came to Vanderbilt (from Mizzou) for grad school and liked it enough to stay.
*What's your definition of philosophy? - "An unusually stubborn attempt to think [and write and speak] clearly" in the pursuit of wisdom. (The quoted/un-bracketed bit is, naturally, from William James.)
*What are the best and the most recent novels you've read? What did you like/dislike about them? Did you find in them anything "philosophical," by your definition? - Most recent, and among the best, are those by the two Richards (Ford and Powers) we'll be reading. We'll get into my thoughts (and yours) concerning their relation to wisdom. Suffice for now to say that Ford's Frank Bascombe is a character I find amusing and occasionally wise, living his life in Periods (The Existence Period, The Permanent Period, etc.); and Powers's Playground touches on themes I find vitally relevant and potentially either an advance or a big setback for humanity: the environment, and Artificial Intelligence. It's too soon to tell about that, but it's pretty clear that we've got to address those issues effectively as individuals AND as a species, if we're to survive and flourish for long.
The last unassigned book I read for fun: David McCullough's "Brave Companions"... I worry that GenZers don't read books or know much history. Hoping you'll prove otherwise.
See you soon,
Dr. Oliver
Section #2
DeleteHello all,
My name is Johnathane Saleh. I am a biology major with a focus in physiology hoping to enter the medical field after I have obtained my bachelor's. I joined the honors program because throughout my life I try to achieve as much as I can possibly achieve. I always tried to take honors, AP, or dual enrollment classes during high school and I want to keep that streak alive. The perks of also being able to register early for classes makes the honors program elite. I think philosophy is the "why and the "what" to everything. For example, why we like something but hate something else? Why do we act the way we do? What gives us drive? My personal philosophy is simple: Persevere. No matter what you are going through, it will pass. Push to be better everyday and you will succeed. My favorite philosopher is Aristotle because I was introduced and researched him in my 6th grade social studies class. I loved his way of thinking and how he challenged/ questioned everything. The last unassigned book I read was Percy Jackson and the Olympians because I find Greek mythology and history very interesting. I am very ecstatic that the second season of Percy Jackson is out on Disney Plus.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI'm Sarah. I took a couple of gap years between High School and College, so I could very well be the second oldest in the room. I love reading and writing, but my content consumed/created is generally fiction, and I expect this semester to be a major shift from that. My majors are Environmental Science and German, with minors in Chemistry, Biology, and Honors. I run a D&D campaign. When I'm not DM, you'll find me most often as a wizard or as a mutli-classed ranger. I've written three books. I work at the library in tech services (and makerspace), and in May I'll also be working at our local Renaissance festival. In an ideal future, I hope to work in the Environmental Science field spending my summers outside wandering around collecting samples and winters in the lab testing and analyzing them.
TLDR: I am, in short, an incorrigible nerd in many fields. I simply like learning things. It's a bit of an addiction.
Why am I here? To make the world a better place of course!
What is my definition of Philosophy? Well, I don't have a firm grasp on the concept, but from my understanding philosophy is the process of questioning: the universe, ones' self, the dirt beneath us and why its all there. It is a quest for knowledge and understanding. It can be written or spoken, seen or unwitnessed, internal or external. Philosophy puts questions into a series, a science, a method to try to explain and learn more.
(I thought about doing some research on google before writing that to sharpen my definition, but I figured you wanted to know what our pre-knowledge was with this question)
What is the best novel you've read? Small problem, I don't do favorites. I have a list... a long list of ones I really liked. Here are a few of them.
H.I.V.E - a favorite when I was younger. Clever characters for the win, plot twists galore, and a villainous MC. You don't see villains as main characters often. For the same reasons, I also love Artemis Fowl. I haven't yet read the Fowl Twins, may get back to them some day. As far as philosophizing though, there are certainly characters with philosophies, and as much questioning as in your average coming of age story, but nothing special.
Etiquette and Espionage - a floating ladies finishing school in a fantasy steampunk setting, clever characters, deep friendships, lots of scheming, the occasional vampire wearing a flowerpot on his head, and excellent accents in the audiobook. What's not to love? Since questions are an integral part of the story (it is a school of espionage, nothing comes easy) there is a modicum of philosophy although mostly the whys relate to the plot or people and their actions rather than a system of questions that extends to include the universe.
The Path of a Novice (and all its sequels)- The worldbuilding for this one is very unique. It makes you think about the reasonings for other peoples decisions and how they can be right, and you can also be right, even if that still puts you at odds. I love high fantasy politicking, even if the main character isn't into it, and there's plenty of that here too! Also, its all elves, and their concept of traveling through eternity is so good. The way the author wrote their characters is also really good. This one has the most built in philosophy by how the author built the world and really wise side characters that do question things around them, large and small.
Current unassigned book I'm reading for fun (listening to, actually): Age of Myth by Michael J Sullivan. It's shaping up to be a good one. What the characters believed about each other at the beginning is definitely not the same as what they believe in the middle, and certainly not what they'll believe at the end. Finding out new truths and incorporating them into ones worldview is part and parcel of philosophy, so I'd allow this to count on the philosophy tagline.
Thanks for going first, Sarah. That'll get you an extra base on the scorecard (which I'll explain in class).
ReplyDeleteI like your un-googled definition of philosophy. And yes, I hope everyone fires from the hip (sans research) in response to these questions. I do want to know our respective starting-points.
Remember to include section #s with your posts, all. (I see that Sarah's in #1, meeting at 9:40.)
Who you are- I'm Presley, an English and (possibly) Communications major, with an Honors minor! I'm a big fan of music, movies, and reading! (Section #3)
ReplyDeleteWhy you're here- My personal hope is to help show others that the world needs changing, and to, of course, help instill that change. I hope this class changes my current views for the better.
What you think Philosophy is- The way in which one perceives the world, which changes the way they interact with others and the world around them.
Whether you have a pithy personal philosophy of your own- My views are somewhat similar to those of the Absurdism/Existentialist movements. I believe that though the world can be rather cruel, there is goodness and love within it, so I personally don't view it as strictly an evil place.
Whether you have a favorite philosopher (famous or not)- Camus, although Dostoevsky is a close second.
The title of the last unassigned book you read and enjoyed- The Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo. Honestly, pretty much any of her books count towards this category because I have very recently read and loved them all.
Whatever else you'd care to share.
I hope this class does NOT change your view, Presley, that the world needs changing! OR that it's not "strictly an evil place." It's important to remember, in challenging times--and when did humans ever NOT feel challenged?--that the world is full of ALL kinds of people and possibilities. Life is good. And its full of wonder. Don't like the other kind bring you down.
Delete
ReplyDeleteWho am I: My name is Zariyana(you can call me Z or Zari for short if it’s too hard to pronounce). This is my second semester of my freshman year at Middle Tennessee State University. I am a psychology major, and my current minors are in health services and writing. My true passion is creative writing, but in all honestly, I think I’d have a higher-payer career in the psychological field, so I am falling into the safer bet.
Why am I here: I’m at MTSU because it was a campus I fell in love with when I toured it with my high school in 2025; so far, I believe I made the right choice by coming here.
What’s my definition of philosophy: I don’t have a clear definition, but I do believe it’s looking at the world and things around us in deeper ways. Truly, we may never know a correct, but we can get further insights from others ideas and deep questions.
Personal philosophy: I don’t believe I have a personal philosophy, but that is subject to change.
Favorite philosopher: I don’t have a favorite philosopher, but this is also something subject to change. I’m new to philosophy, and I’m ready to learn!
Last unassigned book: In all honesty, I don’t have a last unassigned book. I’m not a huge reader, but the last book I read was assigned in high school for a book review project, and that book was The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne. The book was better than the movies, and it is a good read if you have not read it.
"My true passion is creative writing"-- Hope you can find a way to pursue your passion "in the psychological field," if that's your decision. Personally I think the "safer" choice, in terms of ultimate fulfillment, must always include the thing(s) you're most passionate about. I'm so glad, in retrospect, that I ignored the voices telling undergrad me to take the safe route and go to law school. I had no passion for the law--but plenty for philosophizing about the rule of law, etc.
DeleteHey there everyone! (Section 3 I think)
ReplyDeleteWho are you - My name is Christopher Verdin. You can call me Chris if you like. I have no preffrence. I am a 19 year old freshman at MTSU. I am currently a Studio Art major getting a BFA. I work at a frame shop on the weekends. I have a passion for painting. I think that paint can capture a moment or a story better than a photograph or, even at times, literature. On top of painting and my framing work, I also am a freelance employee at a game development company out of New Jersey. Its a newer startup so I haven't made any money yet... but hoping to at some point. One more thing about me, Im a Christain.
Why am I here: I am here to learn as much as I can. MTSU is the closest campus offering a 4 year degree. It is also my first pick because of the wonderful campus life I have witnessed while being here. So far, all of my professors have been wonderful. There is a lively-hood about MTSU that is hard to explain but that fills me with much joy. As for why Im here on this world, I think that answer may not be everyones favorite.
What do I think Philosophy is- I think philosophy is the study of human thinking. What makes a person tick. What drives someone to do what they do. Otherwise, I am ready to learn more about it.
Personal Philosophy- To understand my personal philosophy, I need to share a quote with you. "Preach the Gospel at all times, and use words if necessary." St. Francis of Assisi. I believe that it is my duty to behave in a way that illistrates my religous belifes. That behavior is to act with love when there is termoil, and patience when there is none. "Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy." St. Francis of Assisi. I think that it is important to understand that even if you are not spreading the word of Christ verbally, your actions should be the telling sign of a Christain. I fear that is not a concept that a lot of people of my faith understand. And I hope to spread this message or any similar ones through my art and passion of life.
Favorite Philospher: If you can count St. Francis of Assisi as a philosopher, he would be my choice. My second would be Eleanor Shellstrop. But that is me being silly. I don't really have a more well known favorite otherwise.
Last unassigned book: City of Bones, The Mortal Instruments. I read this one a while ago though. I liked it and might go re read it and maybe the others in the series.
That is a little about me. I am looking forward to this semester!
St. Francis definitely counts, in my book. (My wife placed a statue of him in the garden just outside my study window.) He's the patron saint of animals, after all, and I love my pooches. Eleanor counts too, though Chidi was the better forking philosopher. I'm sure they'd agree that everyone's actions, Christian or otherwise, should be the "telling sign" of a good, peace-and-love-spreading, hope-and-light-bringing, joy-giving person. As Francis said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” And “a single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows.” He was enlightened.
DeleteHi all.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Artin (#1) and, much like the rest of us, I am a second-semester student. I am majoring in Biology and minoring in Chemistry and Honors, with the final goal of pursuing dentistry.
Why am I here... on this planet? Honestly, I don't know. I don't like to believe that we, as humans, exist to fulfill one singular purpose. So, I trust that living IS the purpose, and I'm here to try to elevate that experience for myself and others whenever I can, which is why I carry my mom's groceries. As far as a personal philosophy goes, I admire the Motto "Good Thoughts. Good Words. Good Deeds," present in ancient Zoroastrian beliefs. Finally, if I were to define philosophy based on my approach to the subject (excuse my ignorance), I would describe it as a cycle of thinking, believing, doubting, and thinking again.
I do not have a favorite philosopher, but the most recent book I've read and thoroughly enjoyed was "Rumi," selected and edited by Peter Washington.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to an awesome, thought-provoking new semester!
"I don't like to believe that we, as humans, exist to fulfill one singular purpose." Me neither. I think we should discover/create as many positive purposes in living as we can, and think of them not as externally imposed but voluntarily embraced. I believe our unifying purpose, though, was best articulated by Einstein (who was smart about much more than physics): “Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of other men —above all for those upon whose smile and well-being our own happiness depends, for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and am still receiving.”
Delete"for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy"
DeleteI think I like Einstein. He says that which speaks to me quite elegantly. We are here for each other is a sentiment I can resoundingly agree with. I would expand it however, to not just include people and certainly not just men. There is much more to this earth than just the people on it after all. Honestly, my own statement "to make the world a better place" was internally followed by "of course." I was even thinking of putting "what are we here for if not this?" on the end of it, but I thought that might be a little offensive to those who would self-categorize as LE alignment.
To go down a bit of a rabbit hole, writing all this reminded me of this old delightful song from a VHS version of Joseph King of Dreams: More than you Take (link to You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNmTmg20_CY ) (how does one insert links properly? ctrl+k is not working) which probably influenced my unconscious a lot more than I thought considering its how I both approach life and attempt to approach media consumption.
Hey there! So excited to meet you all!
ReplyDeleteWho am i?-
My name is Daisy and I am also a second-semester student and I am majoring in nursing. I'm also thinking I'm gonna go all the way to a doctorate in nursing, but that's still under construction.
Why am I here? (at MTSU)-
I'm studying here at MTSU because of the nursing program, because when I moved there (I'll explain below) I heard it was one of the best in the country. Also, my dad is retired and the tuition is affordable for us.
What I think Philosophy Is-
Well, I could answer this two ways; One, Philosophy is something we study in school (like this class). Its a subject, it has its famous people and a "creator" of Philosophy. Two, Philosophy is the way people go about doing things, where they base their morality. Its how you answer the questions "where did we come from?" "what's the point of the world/living" and etc.
Personal Philosophy?-
I wouldn't say I have my own philosophy, but I'm a Christian, so I guess you could say I follow the philosophy of the bible. This I know will be quite controversial in the class, but I am willing and excited to talk and converse about it! I love sharing my views and hearing other peoples too.
Favorite Philosopher?-
I don't have a fav philosopher, but I do have a favorite quote: "The only thing we require to be good philosophers is the faculty of wonder." by Jostein Gaarder in "Sophie's World."
I was homeschooled growing up and I took a Philosophy and Worldview class where we used this book (Sophie's World) as our philosophy text. I'll always remember the major philosophers and the order they lived using the mnemonic "SPA" - Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The second half of this class was on Worldviews, which completely blew my mind. It was crazy to see how some of the worldviews we talked about are so prevalent in the world right now. The book we used is "The Battle for Truth" by David A. Noebel. Even though it is from a Christian perspective, it has a amazing representation of the four most influential worldviews of western culture (secular humanism, Marxism/Leninism, cosmic humanism, and biblical Christianity) and what each worldview has to say bout a bunch of topics (theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history). I suggest giving it a look!
About me-
As you already know, I grew up homeschooled, which was awesome and not the "weird" thing you think it is. I spent more time at field trips, museums, planetariums, and more, than I did at home. I moved from southern California in the fall of 2019, just before covid, so I had like three months here then had to be in stuck in my house lol. I've also been a competitive dancer for 15 years, and right now I focus more on hip hop. I'm on pointe in ballet, I love tap, and I was an international dance small group winner when I was younger. Before you asks, I am not NEARLY good enough to go on those dance shows and things like that, that's a whole nether level (I wish I was at).
I cant wait to study with ya'll this semester! I see some really cool debates in the future!
"Sophie's World" is fun, one of my colleagues uses it in his intro class. Philosophy does begin in wonder. I wonder why everybody doesn't wonder more than they seem to.
DeleteThanks for that SPA mnemonic, that may help some of us keep our old Greeks in order.
I know plenty of home-schoolers had a great experience (you encountered Sophie's World, eg), but when it's done wrong it can really set people back. Of course that's true of formal schooling as well--it's why Mark Twain said you should never let your schooling interfere with your education.
Here's a troubling essay on how the author thought it coulda been better: "...My father and brother, reading my account of those years, tell me that they recognize the episodes I describe but that even they — the closest observers of that time — did not know how alone and often lost I felt while they were at work and school, or how desperately I wished someone would put an end to the situation. “I just assumed your mom knew what was best,” Dad says. I see now that it would have taken an authority from outside the home — a teacher, counselor, or social worker charged with enforcing minimum standards — to have connected me with the resources and social outlets I so needed."
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/opinion/home-school-isolation.html?searchResultPosition=3
Oops I forgot to put what book I read last.
DeleteI most recent read "House of Hades" form the Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, the second part of the Percy Jackson universe. I've been on a Percy Jackson kick over winter break, season two of the Disney series put me onto it I think LOL
Hey everyone! So excited to be in this class with y'all.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Chenoa, but I go by Noa for short if that's easier. I'm going into my second semester here at MTSU and I plan on majoring in political science to eventually get a degree in law.
As for why I'm here on this planet...
well when you think about it, none of us really got a choice. Which is cool. I've recently been learning about the specifics in how extraordinary it is that we are all here. All the circumstances that had to perfectly align to create exactly who we are today. I will say my beliefs align firmly with Christan values, but I love and respect anyone with any belief!
I've heard of the term "philosophy" but never really took the time to study it. From my understanding, it's the study of the deeper meaning to things. I believe it's an attempt to grasp a firmer understanding of things that don't necessarily have a clear answer.
I don't really have a philosophy of my own, but as I mentioned before I am Christian, so I typically try and adhere to the teachings and proverbs of the bible.
I also do not have a favorite philosopher, but I have heard of some popular ones over the years. There's actually this show I love called "The Good Place", it's about the afterlife and it's actually a pretty cool concept. Anyways, one of the main characters, "Chidi" was an ethics professor, and he spoke about many famous philosophers and their teachings like Immanuel Kant, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
The last unassigned book I read is one I'm actually finishing up right now. It's called "Turtles all the way down". At first glace it seems like its a mystery book, but it's actually about OCD and its common misconceptions. It follows a girl, Aza, who struggles with intense OCD. So far, it's a great read!
Thanks so much for reading and I look forward to seeing all of you in class. :)
sorry! i forgot to put my name and section which is #3 i believe
DeleteYou and Christopher (see above) should be able to bond over The Good Place. I for one don't want to spend eternity being managed by Ted Danson, but it was a funny and generally philosophically-accurate show.
Delete"Turtles all the way down" is an old expression referencing what's problematic about an infinite regress of explanation. The world rests on the back of turtle? Where does the turtle stand? Etc.
Hello Everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy name is John Aduroja, and I am a junior studying Mechatronics Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.
Why am I Here? Well, I chose MTSU due to their mechatronics program, and as you all know, there is a new engineering and applied building. I am here to set a foundation that allows me to tackle problems and think outside the box while respecting individual boundaries.
What do I think Philosophy is? I believe philosophy is one's identity, beliefs, opinions, lifestyles, and the sum total of what and who you are.
My Personal Philosophy is not a complicated Aristotle or Socratic-themed statement, and the like. So don't expect much. However, I believe my lifestyle is pretty much themed after the bible which holds me accountable for how I relate and interact with people and their opinions, ensuring it is done in love.
I don't necessarily have a favorite philosopher, per se, as I am an engineering major, and you can pretty much guess that a lot of my time is spent with machines, computers, and the like. However, I do love to read and am quite excited to dig into the materials for this class while learning.
The last unassigned book I read and enjoyed was a book titled Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
About me - I am a twin, and I am a member of the debate club, where I am opportuned to travel to tournaments at other colleges. I do love a good meal, and I am an international student. Thank you
Since a few of you have mentioned being guided by the bible, I was reminded of The West Wing's President Bartlett's complaints about bad biblical ethics, so I asked AI to give some examples:
ReplyDelete"President Bartlett highlighted outrageous biblical passages, including selling daughters into slavery (Exodus 21:7) and the impurity of touching a dead pig (Leviticus), to challenge faith, while also referencing controversial rules on homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22) and famously cursing God in Latin in a powerful scene, showcasing the Bible's complex, often challenging, verses that spark debate.
Here are some examples of the provocative passages President Bartlett, or the show, alluded to:
Slavery: In The West Wing, Bartlet mentions Exodus 21:7, where a father could sell his daughter into servitude, a text he uses to question divine justice and the morality of scripture.
Dietary/Purity Laws: Leviticus contains numerous stringent purity laws, like touching a dead pig making one "unclean," which Bartlet highlights to underscore the seemingly arbitrary or harsh aspects of religious law, notes IMDb.
Homosexuality: Leviticus 18:22, translated as "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination," is a frequently cited verse used in discussions about sexuality and scripture, notes Wikipedia.
Divine Justice: In the iconic "Two Cathedrals" episode, Bartlet's Latin outburst at the end directly challenges God's justice, referencing his role as a messenger and questioning divine punishment, according to IMDb."
President Bartlett was a devout Roman Catholic, but he knew you couldn't just blindly follow everything in an ancient text drafted by multiple pre-scientific bronze age dogmatists.
These are great points! I love how you brought this up.
DeleteA lot of what in the bible that can be taken as "questionable" is because it has been taken out of context. Most of the bible, especially the Old Testament, is very contextual, and has to be viewed from a historical point of view. There may be something that is mentioned that makes no sense in modern society, but may have been common in that day. Like for your example of the pig being "unclean." In the old law of Moses, pigs were seen as unclean animals, along with touching people with diseases like leprosy (I'm not too well versed on these laws specifically, but I know there were quite a few on "cleanliness"). These old laws of Moses were made null by the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus came, He rewrote the old laws and made a new covenant, that's why most modern Christians don't follow the old laws.
Christianity can be weaponized to prove certain points, and that makes be sad. Because most of the time people say "well the bible says it!" and it may, but its used in the wrong context. Context is powerful. These situations give Christianity a bad wrap sometimes.
I love talking about this! I'm excited for our discussions in class.
I love you talked about that the coming of Jesus nullified some of the beliefs in the old testament. That is not talked about enough! People also seem to forget that in the olden days, this was unfortunately the social norm. As you mentioned, context is extremely important. After all, anything can be blown out of proportion with the right, or wrong, context.
DeleteHi, my name is Sakina Razzaq and I am currently a freshman studying biology.
ReplyDeleteWhy I am here? I chose MTSU because it is close to home & offered the buchanan program. This course is a requirement I need to fulfill but I am very excited to learn about philosophy as I am not too familiar.
I believe philosophy is a way of thought which strives to answer the big questions of life and purpose.
Not sure if this is a pithy personal philosophy, but a statement I like to go by is "actions speak louder than words"
I do not have a favorite philosopher.
The last book I read was One More Day by Mitch Albom
About me- I was born and raised in Murfreesboro Tn. I love traveling the world, staying active and have a love for art and design. I also hope to pursue something in the medical field.
Thank you for letting me share!
Actions DO speak louder than words. That's a solid pragmatic philosophy. William James (1842-1910 is my favorite pragmatic philosopher. He said we all have a philosophy, which is not necessarily something deep and profound... or even articulate: "the philosophy which is so important in each of us is not a technical matter; it is our more or less dumb sense of what life honestly and deeply means. It is only partly got from books; it is our individual way of just seeing and feeling the total push and pressure of the cosmos." He also said philosophy is just an unusually stubborn attempt to think [write, speak] clearly.
DeleteHi, I'm Rylie Babcock (#1) and I'm a freshman at MTSU. I'm here because of the programs the school offers, mainly its Anthropology program and the Buchanan Fellowship.
ReplyDeleteI think philosophy is about considering a subject from multiple angles in order to best understand it.
I don't really have a personal philosophy, but a quote that I've been repeating to myself recently is "The cost of procrastination is the life you could've lived."
I haven't read much philosophy, but I like Aristotle.
Over break, I read "I Heard You Paint Houses" by Charles Brandt.
I really enjoy watching movies (basically any genre works for me--except I'm not a huge horror fan), but I am also trying to read more in my free time.
Procrastination... I keep meaning to do something about that...
DeleteI am Ben Hankerd of the H02 Section, and I am here at MTSU to further my goal of becoming an aeronautical engineer and to form bonds with those who share my passions. I have always thought of philosophy as the questions we ask ourselves and others about anything and everything we may see, feel, or experience. A personal philosophy has always been the Golden Rule: “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them,” (Matthew 7:12 ESV). My favorite philosopher would have to be my best friend, Lucas, who took one philosophy class and now tries to invent proverbs and cite ancient wisdom for me. His musing is quite amusing. The last book I read and thoroughly enjoyed was Jack Carr’s third installment of the Terminal List Series, “The Savage Son,” and I look forward to continuing with “The Devil’s Hand.” I enjoy 3D printing, fishing, and collecting nice bourbon and Pokémon cards.
ReplyDeleteI like the variant of the golden rule that says we should do unto others not as we would be done to, but as they would have us do to them. But the spirit of the original formulation is still noble.
DeleteIt's good to have an amusing muse.
Hi, I'm Caleb (2) and I am starting my second semester at MTSU. I'm here because of MTSU's respected aerospace program, as my career goal is to be an airline transport pilot. I believe philosophy is the study of knowledge and ethics. More specifically, the desire to understand and question said knowledge. I do not exactly have a personal philosophy, but I love this quote by Howard Zinn, which clearly is stated to take inspiration from the works of Camus, "in such a world of conflict, a world of victims and executioners, it is the job of the thinking people, as Albert Camus suggested, not to be on the side of the executioners." I honestly do not know enough philosophers to have a favorite. The last book I read was Dune Messiah. I enjoyed how this novel, along with the rest of the Dune series which I have not gotten around to yet, offers a critique of messianic figures.
ReplyDeleteThe Zinn/Camus line is great, and all too timely. The Executioners lately have been running amok.
DeleteI like sci-fi but somehow have never got around to Dune. Bucket list.
Hello, my name is Jayden, and I am a psychology major starting my second semester. I'm in the H01 section of philosophy. I'm at MTSU because of the opportunities that the psychology department offers with research, and I'm in the Honors program to hone in on my research and writing skills with the thesis. I believe that philosophy is essentially asking fundamental questions about the universe, humanity, Earth, and ethics. Honestly, my own personal philosophy is "expectations shape outcomes." Your own subconscious mind and past experiences shape how you perceive your reality and the events around you. As of right now, I don't have a favorite philosopher. The last book I read and enjoyed was titled "The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer," and I appreciated how it handled triggering topics such as sexual abuse/assault. It also dismantled the purity culture of a "perfect victim," and I think that is an important subject to tackle in works like these.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to learn more about "purity culture" and "perfect victims"...
DeleteHello! I am Haylie Thurman (Section H01), and I am starting my second semester at MTSU. I am at MTSU (and consequently, the honors program) because of the opportunities this campus has provided me. I went to a tiny K-12 school for most of my life, and while I am proud of my achievements there, I am ready for a new step in a larger, more diverse place. I am on this planet because of my dedication to keep going; I have definitely faced challenges in life, but learning to have patience and respect for myself has helped me to stay.
ReplyDeleteI think philosophy is the thoughts and idea humanity has created over the years. Some new, some old, some ancient, philosophies, to me, are humanity's desires within the confines of the mind (like "refined" shower thoughts). My personal philosophy has always been this: the meaning of life is the act of finding meaning in life. I heard it in a show once, very interesting to me. I'm impartial to Mary Wollstonecraft.
The last book that I read and enjoyed is my reread of Maid by Stephanie Land. It follows a young single mother who battles homelessness and the challenges of a system against you. One of my favorite books of all time, and its bittersweetness is what I look for in books. I've also enjoyed catching up on the Chainsaw Man manga and cross-stitching.
The meaning of life may very well be the quest for meaning in life. Rebecca Goldstein's new book about that is called "The Mattering Instinct"--we want our lives to matter, and therein lies their potential meaning. As holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel wrote, if you have a "why" to live you can endure almost any "how"...
DeleteHi! My name is Natalie (Section H03) and I'm a philosophy major in my first year. I chose MTSU because I believe it is the perfect distance from my hometown, with great scholarship opportunities and a lovely campus. In all honesty, I pursued the honors program for exposure to more scholarships and to strengthen my resume. I want to explore why I think I'm here, I guess that is why I chose philosophy. I didn't know anything about philosophy before taking this class or deciding on my major, but I think that is what is so compelling. I love the intersection with philosophy and theology and I want to practice deeper thinking ,that's what I associate with philosophy. Almost like thinking about thinking?
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not quite finished, "East of Eden" is my most recent read and quite possibly my favorite. I think the pace and style in which Steinbook writes is perfect and I love the focus on free will vs. determinism. A friend who recommended the book read me the infamous quote "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good". It's actually what convinced me to buy the book and I catch myself thinking about it frequently since I heard it for the first time.
As a philosophy major you're entitled to a tee-shirt, don't forget to claim it.
DeleteI get the appeal of going to school "the perfect distance" from home, but for some of us the perfect distance was not driving distance. There's something to be said for really leaving home, making a new home. But some of us are ready for that sooner than others.
"Thinking about thinking" has its place, in philosophy of mind/consciousness and in psychoogy. But philosophers should also think about feeling, and about the pitfalls of overthinking. William James is good on this, see his essay "On a Certain Blindness in Human Beings"...
Hello! My name is Natalie Van Dorpe, and I'm a freshman Music Business and Audio Production double major in section H01. I am a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, and I'm very passionate about music.
ReplyDeleteWhy I'm here: I'm at MTSU for its outstanding Recording Industry programs and opportunities. I'm in the Honors program because it made MTSU a reasonable option for college because I live out of state. I'm in this course because it is a requirement I need to fulfill, but I am interested in philosophy and excited to learn. I'm on this planet to make the world a better place.
What I think Philosophy is: I don't know the definition of philosophy, but I currently think that it's trying to find answers to questions we can't prove with science through discussion and careful thought.
My personal philosophy: I have never thought about it before, but I could say a personal philosophy of mine is this: doing good things and pursuing good things will bring good things to you.
Favorite Philosopher: Right now, I can't name a lot of philosophers and their works, but I thought Socrates' arguments in his trial were fascinating, so Socrates will be for now.
Last book I read and enjoyed: Howl's Moving Castle is my favorite book and I've read it around seven times now(?). I am a chronic show re-watcher, book re-reader, and outfit repeater, and I particularly like re-reading this book because I notice new details every time. Recently, I also read White Nights by Dostoevsky and really enjoyed it; I will definitely be reading it again soon.
I'm very excited to take this course! Thank you!
I'm also an inveterate re-reader. It's one of the pleasures of a personal library that our favorites reside conveniently on a shelf ready to be re-entered at will. Public libraries do the same for us of course, at slightly less convenience. But it's a tragedy and an outrage of our time that our so-called leaders have banned books, underfunded libraries, and vilified librarians. History will be their judge. And so will readers like us.
DeleteHello! My name is Savannah and I love photography and reading but I’m at MTSU studying aviation. I’m originally from Colorado and chose MTSU because my high school French teacher got his bachelors here and spoke highly of the aviation program so I figured I should try it out as I’ve wanted to be a pilot for most of high school. I think philosophy is the overcomplicated way to understand the universe, and everything that floats around in it. I would say my personal philosophy is nobody has any idea what they're doing and we’re all trying our best. I don’t think I know enough about philosophy, let alone specific philosophers, to have a favorite one. The last book I finished was Dune by Frank Herbert. This is probably my favorite book of all time as I’ve read it at least 5 times because I love his world building and how in depth the religion and history is. Religion is one of the most fascinating subjects for me so reading about other ones, even fake ones, gives me a sense of understanding because I feel like you cannot truly know someone until you know their God. I’m the youngest of 8 and the last person in my entire family to be born in my generation, however the age gap between me and most of my siblings is about 12 years, so my siblings were in high school before I was in pre-k. I love learning and thinking about life so I have a strong feeling I will love this class and look forward to the semester ahead of us.
ReplyDeleteAlso I’m in section 1
: )
In an alternate universe I can imagine having become an aviator, I love the "view from above"-
Delete"You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the Moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, "Look at that, you son of a bitch."—Edgar D. Mitchell, Apollo 14 astronaut, quoted in "Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization" by Neil deGrasse Tyson https://a.co/by8i9Dw
Hello, my name is Samantha Morse and I am here at MTSU to study music business in hopes of becoming a tour manager in my future.
ReplyDeleteI think philosophy is a way of critically thinking about the world and actions of people around you, and a way to sort of rationalizing the good deeds you do. I don't necessarily have a favorite actual philosopher, as I don't know too many, but I became interested in the class because of show called The Good Place, so you could say Chidi Anagonya is my favorite philosopher. The last unassigned book I read was Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid and it was so good. Some other facts about me is I really love the country of Canada (I just got back from a trip to Toronto!) and women's ice hockey. My favorite team is the Toronto Sceptres and some of my favorite players are Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, and Emma Maltais.
Also, I am in section 1!
Whatever else you'd care to share.
O Canada! Two on my department colleagues are from there. And their PM just gave a terrific speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/20/world/canada/carney-speech-davos-trump.html
DeleteBut it's too cold for me there, at least until global warming toasts us all.
Hello, my name is Megan! I'm studying nursing, but I picked MTSU so I could continue dancing. I love to dance, and MTSU is the only school in Tennessee with a dance major, so it was almost a no brainer to go here. I think that philosophy is how you look at life, and how you choose to interpret it. I don't really have a favorite philosopher, I know of the famous ones like Kafka, Hume, and Locke because my dad and brother, love philosophy but I haven't really gotten the chance to read up on it too much on my own. The last unassigned book I read was crying in H mart, it's a book by a singer I really like and I thought it was nicely written. It explores the complicated relationship she had with her mother, the grief she experienced after her mother's passing, and how she uses food and culture to process loss. A fun fact about me is that I love to paint pottery but I'm really bad at it! I'm in section 1!
ReplyDeleteKafka wrote some strange stuff. Hard to imagine waking up as a cockroach. That's why Woody Allen referenced him in a film as having low self-esteem.
DeleteHello! My name is Dean and I'm part of the Physics-Astronomy department. I think philosophy is a system of interpretations about human nature and behavior, and what control (if any) we have over that. Philosophy as a study is new to me so I'm very excited to see what I relate to and what perspectives I can adopt. My last unassigned book was "Strange Practice" by Vivian Shaw. I am in section 2!
ReplyDeleteI took astronomy as a freshman. Much to my disappointment, it didn't go well. But I'm always looking up. As James said, the philosophy so important in each of us is simply how we feel and respond to the total "push and pressure of the cosmos" etc. Carl Sagan is one of my heroes. Have you read or seen his "Pale Blue Dot"? https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pale+blue+dot+carl+sagan
Delete- Who you are; My name's Graham Waltenbaugh (section #1). I'm a second-semester freshman majoring in Audio Production and double minoring in Interactive Media and the required Buchanan Honors minor. I'm a fan of hip-hop music, jazz music, video game design, and tabletop role-playing games.
ReplyDelete- Why you're here; I think I'm here to make things for others. I make original music, and while I wish I could say I'm only making what I'd want to listen to, I'm pretty self-conscious (one could say anxious). When I create, the audience is top priority.
- What you think Philosophy is; I think it's being conscious of your own beliefs, biases, tendencies, etc. It's knowing how your lived experience informs your point of view.
- Whether you have a pithy personal philosophy of your own; Nope. I'm a regular old absurdist, I think.
- Whether you have a favorite philosopher; Vince Staples, who once said, "God's not a person. If God is a thing, it would be a thing that don't have a face, but people say God is a person because people have egos, so they want God to look like them. So he's a man in the sky, like that makes any sense. God's probably like, a porcupine. Or like, a tree. Or like, a body of water."
- The title of the last unassigned book you read and enjoyed; House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski. It's a delightfully obtuse read; large sections of pages are censored, footnotes will contain entire short stories, there are citations within citations within editors' notes within editors' notes. The story itself is about a house that changes its own geometry with no human input. This phenomenon becomes an in-universe found footage documentary, on which there is a dissertation written by a character who dies before finishing it. The dissertation is then found and edited together by the book's protagonist, and that edit itself is then annotated by even more anonymous editors. It's beautifully maddening.
- Whatever else you'd care to share; O Brother, Where Art Thou is the best movie ever made
"I'm a regular old absurdist"-that's pithy enough.
Delete"God's probably like, a porcupine" - Ha! Or maybe God's literally everything, as Spinoza the pantheist said. Or maybe God is whatever anyone seems to worship above all else. Or maybe God's just a concept.
Best movie ever made? I'll have to think about that. I remember being mightily impressed by Sophie's Choice, Life of Brian, 2001: A Space Odyssey, ...
-My name is Sean Liam OLeary, but I go by Liam. (Section #2).
ReplyDelete-I am here for the aviation program and since I was a little kid I knew I wanted to be a pilot.
-I think philosophy is studying questions and diving deep into questions, such as why we question things etc.
-I don't think I can really point out what my philosophy is.
-I am really into music and this might be a stretch, but when you get to understand the guy, Dave Mathews of Dave Mathews Band might be one of my favorite philosophers. He is a very brilliant and well-thought man who approaches music in a different way than most think.
-Personally not a book guy so I can't even remember the last book I read, but I really enjoy movies.
It makes me so sad, when smart people declare themselves NOT book people. "Save the book" is one of my bumper stickers. I really worry that if present trends continue, the decline of reading in our culture will correlate with a decline of thinking, feeling, caring...
DeleteHello everyone, my name is Daniel Baadom (Section 001), and I am an international student from Port Harcourt, Nigeria. I'm currently in the second semester of my freshman year. I’m here at MTSU to study Mechatronics Engineering. I really love robots, and I can’t wait to build ones that actually help people. I think that’s what I would consider my purpose on this planet, though I wouldn't limit myself to just that, as I have a lot of things I love doing, and I also want to visit another planet someday (Mars).
ReplyDeleteWhile I didn’t know what it was until today’s class, I would say my philosophy is meliorism. I believe in taking time to reflect on myself and being proactive in becoming a better version of myself as much as I can. Just like Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” And yes, you guessed it, my favourite philosopher is Socrates.
The last book I read was Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. The way he teaches historical events (like the rise of the Illuminati) while maintaining an amazing, mysterious plot is just awesome. He actually released a new book recently (the Secrets of Secrets), and I’m hoping to get it soon. Cheers!
Very cool. But pack your sweater for Mars. Average temp minus 85 fahrenheit.
DeleteI agree with Socrates, but I also agree with our Socrates Express author Eric Weiner: the over-examined life is also a problem.
Hello, my name is Shane Cary.
ReplyDeleteI am attending MTSU in pursuit of a Computer Science degree, and I am in section one of this philosophy class. It really doesn’t matter which major I choose for my career, so I went with the one that is most interesting to me and something I know I will gain value from. After college, I plan to join the military and become an aviator.
When it comes to philosophy as a subject, I believe it exists to help us (humans) navigate life by providing different mindsets for dealing with struggles, achievements, ourselves, others, and the world. Similarly to what I said about gaining value in my life, my personal philosophy is to use every resource I have access to in order to live an exciting, experience-rich life.
I believe there is no inherent meaning to life and that we must create meaning for ourselves, so maybe I am an existentialist. I have not taken the time to dive deep into philosophy, but I enjoy Diogenes and the story of when Alexander the Great went to meet him, and Diogenes told the king to move out of the sunlight he was basking in. Diogenes also lived in a barrel, apparently.
The last book I read in full was Healing Wounds by Diane Carlson, which I really enjoyed. The book describes Carlson’s dramatic and heartbreaking experiences as a nurse in Vietnam. Currently, I am reading Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer, a novel about an Army officer and his military career throughout World War I, World War II, and Vietnam.
"It really doesn’t matter which major I choose for my career" - really?! Especially if you go into a field in which you're daily entrusted with the very lives of countless fellow humans?
DeleteYou are indeed an existentialist, by your stipulated definition. And possibly also a cynic like Diogenes. You shouldn't have to live in a barrel, though, or conduct all your bodily functions in public.
Hello! My name is Ainsley Stewart, and I'm in section #1.
ReplyDeleteI'm at MTSU for the flight program. My dream is to become a commercial pilot and MTSU was the best place for me to work towards that dream :)
I think philosophy is simply the way a person sees and thinks about the world; it is similar to a worldview. However, a philosophy directly affects and even "instructs" the person's actions and responses to events in their life, in contrast to a worldview that simply affects the person's perception of the world around them.
I don't think I have a succinct personal philosophy. Right now, I'm figuring out a lot about myself and how I think.
I don't have a favorite philosopher. However, I admire the way that C. S. Lewis thinks.
I haven't read an unassigned book in a long time. In the future I really should, as I enjoyed reading immensely when I was younger. I always say that my favorite book is Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham.
Something interesting about me is that I've played the violin since I was four years old! I'm a classically trained musician and I've played alongside the Nashville Symphony a handful of times.
Gosh, a lot of you plan to fly the friendly skies!
DeleteI don't like to read C.S. Lewis, but I did really like the film "Shadowlands" - about his ill-fated love and marriage with an American reader.
Maybe you can bring your violin to class and play, one day? For extra credit?
Hi, my name is Alina Caldwell; I am in section #3.
ReplyDeleteI'm at MTSU because I could get my undergrad for free (w/ scholarships). I'm a Studio Art major and I am interested in fashion design, art history and costuming for film & TV.
I think philosophy is just a way for people to make sense of their world and ascribe meaning to their actions, in a way that is clear and in which they can feel comforted by the structure philosophy provides. It also scratches the human itch to attempt to find an answer and a logical conclusion to life.
I don't have a specific personal philosophy but my mother is a Buddhist and I have been doing by best to follow the eightfold path simply because I feel like its a healthy and kind way to live your life.
I don't really have a favorite philosopher. Maybe Camus? Hes an obvious philosopher and I read some of his stuff in high school and resonated with it. I mean his whole argument in the myth of sisyphus is basically the eightfold path, just a western version.
I just finished reading the 3rd book in the Dune series (titled children of dune.) Very much enjoyed it. I am now reading "The empty mirror" which is about this dutch dudes experiences in a Japanese Zen monastery in the 1950s-60s, and The Green Mile because I am not a fan of Stephen King's writing but I am trying very hard to give him another chance, and I also just started reading "Notes on an Execution; a novel" by Danya Kukafka which was a suggestion from a librarian.
Fascinating connection, Buddhism to Camus. We should discuss that in class.
DeleteI don't read Stephen King's fiction but I love his book on writing.
Hello! I’m Laura Bell, part of the #2 section.
ReplyDelete-I’m here at MTSU for the Audio Production program, my dream is to create and mix music, and this so happened to be the best option and closest to me to pursue this!
-I believe philosophy is how one looks at the world and interprets it, and their mental application to it. Like how an optimist stereotypically sees the world as joyful, and then applies that line of thinking to everyday life(glass half full), and so on.
-I’m not well-versed in philosophical terms, but I have a saying that is my personal philosophy: ‘Passion and persistence in the pursuit of happiness.’ This phrase literally came to me in a dream (I know, weird), but it stuck out to me so much that I adopted it into my life.
-Some of my favorite philosophers are Aristotle, Chuang Tzu, Kant, and Laozi. They have optimistic and peaceful outlooks, which resonate with me.
-The last book I read was Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh, which is a dark and gross medieval fiction that had me fully immersed. The writing is so good, the world building pulls you in, and every single character is satirically insane. I would recommend it because it's entertaining, but it is also so foul that my conscience feels odd recommending it. On a lighter note, I’ve started reading The Kane Chronicles by Rick Ridoian again, and that series is absolutely one of my lifelong favorites, I definitely recommend it.
-I play alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone. I am also partially fluent in Chinese.
I look forward to this semester! Let's all make it a good one :)
Interesting and cosmopolitan mix of east and west, in your stable of favorites.
DeleteGross, foul, immersive, entertaining... I'll add it to my list.
Maybe all of you musicians could bring your instruments on the same day and treat us to an improv performance.
I’m Aidyn!(#2)I’m an IO psych major. I decided to be at Mtsu because i grew up in murfreesboro and wasn’t ready to cut my ties here. Also, I’ve always known I wanted to stay in TN for college and mtsu is one of the only colleges that offers IO psych for undergrads. I don’t have a favorite philosophy as i don’t know much about it. I’ve only studied socrates and plato in a western civilization class. Other than at I don’t know much about about other philosophers. Therefore, I don’t have a favorite. The last unassigned book i’ve read is Picking Daisys on sundays. It’s a YA novel about second chances and overcoming life’s challenges. It was a pretty good read.
ReplyDeleteIndustrial and Organization Psych, for those (like me) who have to look it up.
ReplyDeleteYou can maintain ties with home from a distance, right? But I'm no authority on that, I haven't been back to my hometown in years. I line up with Thomas Wolfe, who people love to contradict about going home. But I do love baseball, which is ALL about coming home.
Hello! I am Amelia Ferreira (section #2), and I'm a freshman and an environmental science major. I'm at MTSU because it's relatively close to my home in Clarksville, my older sister is a student here as well, and because I was offered the most scholarship money to go here.
ReplyDeleteI think of philosophy as a way of looking at the world, and a sort of framework that people base their actions, beliefs, assumptions, etc. off of.
I don't have much in the way of a personal philosophy. I am an atheist, so I don't look to any sort of religious text or leader for guidance. I am fond of the Richard Powers quote, "This is not our world with trees in it. It's a world of trees, where humans have just arrived." I like the idea that we are not as important as we often think we are. I think that a lot of people's problems could be solved if everyone (myself included) was a little less self-obsessed.
I don't know enough about any philosophers to decisively name a favorite, but I can appreciate anyone who doesn't take themselves too seriously.
The last book I read was Death, Dissection, and the Destitute by Ruth Richardson. It's a really interesting nonfiction about the history of anatomy as a field of study, body-snatching, and the commodification of the corpse. Sounds morbid, I know, but it was a very good read! A more lighthearted book I read recently was Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams. A goofy title for a goofy book. Would recommend.
I play the piano, enjoy all kinds of crafts, am slightly obsessed with birds, and have a dog named Junie.
Hi, my name is Truett Smith. I am in group #2.
ReplyDeleteI'm here at MTSU, majoring in Music Industry, to play drums and study jazz. I took this course because philosophy has always interested me (and because I needed another credit). I think philosophy is diving into the meaning of things, and the act of not being a robot by not blindly following things, and asking the why behind everything. I'm a strong Christian and have fully put my faith in Jesus, and try every day to act more and more like Him. I don't really have a favorite philosopher, but Tim Keller is one of my favorite theologians. The last unassigned book I read was Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund. The book dives into the heart of Jesus and how we can understand his love towards us and grow in our relationship with Him. Just fun facts about me, I grew up playing baseball, wrestled through high school, and started playing drums my freshman year of high school. I love watching baseball, football, hockey, and wrestling.
Excited for this semester!
Hey! My name is Shaun Sexton, and I am in Group #3. I am a sophomore and a Physics major with a concentration in astronomy. I am here at MTSU due to its reputation for its STEM programs while also being very interested in anything science, so it seemed like a perfect matchup! I believe that Philosophy is the exploration of what makes up our fundamental beliefs. I believe that everyone has a little good in them somewhere and that you should do the right thing, even if no one claps. As of right now, I do not have a favorite philosopher, but I do hope to have one by the end of the semester. My all-time favorite book I last read was Green Mile by Stephen King. I love working out and hanging out with friends! I hope to get to know you all
ReplyDeleteHello! My name is Ava Koeneke. I am apart of Group #2. I am a first-year Business Major. Super exciting I know. I chose MTSU mostly because I wanted to be close to home and community college wasn't exactly what my parents had in mind. I would say I enjoy philosophy, however, I have always been an insecure reader and wouldn't consider myself wise in the slightest. To me, its just a way of life, or an extension of personal morality. I do like the logical parts of philosophy and the philosophy of religion has got to be the most interesting/ironic topic to me. I don't currently have a "favorite" philosopher (I need to get better at reading and fix my attention span). It's been a long time since I've read something unassigned, however, I do remember heavily enjoying the City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau!
ReplyDelete#3 My name is Jonah Brown. I am at MTSU to get a degree in Concrete Industry Management with the goal of getting a solid job in a stable industry. I'm not sure what philosophy means to me, but in class on Tuesday, you said it means to seek wisdom. If I had to give myself a philosophy, I would say I always try to be better than I was the day before. I do not have or know a large amount of philosophy, and I can't remember the last time I read a book that wasn't assigned.
ReplyDeleteSection #2 COPHI 1pm-2:25pm TuTh
ReplyDeleteHi, My name is Lilith, I am in second #2, and I am at MTSU to study psychology. I decided to come here because MTSU has good psych and criminal justice courses and I hope to one day become a criminal/forensic psychologist. I think of philosophy as the study of a deeper meaning of the world/life/universe. I would say my personal philosophy is live life with no regrets. I live by this for two reasons, the first is because I don't want to miss out on anything that life has to offer. So when I make any decisions I ask myself "if you do/don't do this, will you regret it?" The second is because I am a very anxious person and if I regret something my mind tends to focus on it a little too much. I have found that if I try to live my life without doing something that I'll regret then it gives me less anxiety. I do not have a favorite philosopher and I am currently reading Sunrise on the Reaping.
ReplyDeleteHello, I'm Kiersten! I'm a psych major here at MTSU. I guess that I think the definition of Philosophy is well stated in its etymology: "lover of wisdom". For my personal philosophy, I would say that my Christianity largely defines that (and I'm not sure what the line between philosophy and religion is, so perhaps Christianity could be considered a philosophy): man was made to worship God, and to love and serve God and others is the ultimate goal of life. I admit that, although I do love to read, I haven't read many philosophers. The last unassigned book that I read and enjoyed was Bram Stoker's "Dracula". I'm excited to learn about philosophy!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I'm in section #3
DeleteMy name is Josie, and I am in section #3. I am a political science major here at MTSU. Prior to our first lecture, I thought philosophy was just a way one thinks and observes the world, and how those thoughts and observations impact their actions and morals. I think the thing that has influenced my philosophy the most is my friends. I have seen different perspectives from different walks of life through them which I feel has given me a better understanding of perspective different from mine. I don't have a favorite philosopher (I won't lie I don't know many philosophers and how they differ). The last unassigned book I read was Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It is definitely a new favorite and I recommend it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your Introductions. Blogger's not letting me respond individually to your latest posts, for some unknown reason. Must've hit some arbitrary limit. Anyway, I'm pleased to discover that so many of you are reading. Keep it up! And to all who've said they don't know the names of many philosophers, don't worry: I'm here to help.
ReplyDeleteHello, class! My name is Ribika Nemta and I'm a student at MTSU majoring in biochemistry on a pre-dental track. I decided to leave the honors program last year for personal reasons, but I plan on returning soon because I prefer the learning style of honors classes (which is why I began the class late). I'm taking intro to philosophy because I've been interested in learning about philosophy for a few years now, and I figured it'd be good to be taught this subject by someone with more expertise than I have.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed learning, and one thing that I've consistently noticed is that every subject/topic/lesson has an underlying theoretical framework at its core. Part of my love for learning was figuring out what those theories were because it allowed me to thoroughly understand the why and how behind what I was learning. And that's what philosophy is to me, it’s our attempt at understanding the why and how behind the human condition from a theoretical standpoint. I view philosophy as a collaborative effort wherein each breakthrough adds a piece to the puzzle of human existence and the universe that surrounds us. I think this is why a philosophical underpinning can be found in almost all areas of study, because it functions as the foundation we build disciplines from including subjects like physics, chemistry, math, psychology, sociology and so on.
I haven't definitively decided on a particular philosophy to live by, but as of late I find that I've been caught between living my life through an absurdist/existentialist lense. I'm always open to new perspectives, though. Most of the philosophers I ‘like’ at the moment are political philosophers and theorists. I'm planning on looking through the works of Karl Marx, Sony Lab’ou Tansi, Belle Hooks, and Angela Davis soon because I find their political perspectives compelling. The last book that I thoroughly enjoyed was “The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang. It was a fantastical retelling of Chinese history during World War Two. I really enjoyed the author's writing style, plot, character development, and character interactions. The book is very graphic though and there are a lot of triggering topics discussed so I'd tread carefully.
Based on the D2L page, I think I'm in section #2 (?) my class is supposed to be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00-2:25 pm.
My name is Evie Wade (section #1), and I’m a video and film production major, with Journalism and Honours minors. I have had some very unique life experiences and believe I am on this planet to help tear down the walls between people of different backgrounds. I’m at MTSU because of the Buchanan scholarship, and it’s kind of close to my extended family. I’m taking this class because it’s required, although I’m hoping to hear new and interesting perspectives on subjects I haven’t given much thought about.
ReplyDeleteI think philosophy is trying to logically describe why the world is the way it is, which I can imagine is helpful in some situations (but my overall perception of it is that it is rather out of touch and unhelpful in the real world). I don’t really have a ‘personal philosophy’, or a favourite philosopher, although maybe that’ll change by the end of this course. The last unassigned book I read was “As Good as Dead”, the last book in the “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” trilogy by Holly Jackson. I enjoyed the series (it was recommended to me by a friend), but it’s not my preferred genre of book.
To clarify my comment about philosophy being a somewhat unhelpful subject: I believe that self reflection is important, and that everyone should do it pretty regularly. Being self aware is how we make better choices and love others better. I just have a few issues with people spending their entire lives thinking about themselves. I think a lot of people are too introspective, and consequently self absorbed. I hope to gain a broader understanding of the subject, however, as I admittedly know very little about it.