A new video!
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Taster days and trolleys
Yesterday the college hosted a 'taster day' for students considering applying to study philosophy at university. In one of the classes we began looking at the infamous 'trolley problems'. We ended by noticing that it was not clear what direction of fit was appropriate between an reaction to the case that says what is the best thing to go and a substantive moral theory which could be applied to such cases. Do we begin with the reactions and build a theory to fit? Or do we buy a theory off the peg and then use it to give an answer to the problems faced?
It turns out that there is a lot of interesting work being done on such thought experiments that looks at the psychological factors that might be involved in our responses to them. It matters, it seems, in what order you present to someone the various cases. Here is some more discussion that points out that people who have done quite a lot of academic philosophy are similarly influenced in this way. (I also seem to remember reading something that suggested that people are more likely to apply a relatively crude consequentialist criterion to such problems the more exhausted they are when shown the problem; but I might have made that up...)
It turns out that there is a lot of interesting work being done on such thought experiments that looks at the psychological factors that might be involved in our responses to them. It matters, it seems, in what order you present to someone the various cases. Here is some more discussion that points out that people who have done quite a lot of academic philosophy are similarly influenced in this way. (I also seem to remember reading something that suggested that people are more likely to apply a relatively crude consequentialist criterion to such problems the more exhausted they are when shown the problem; but I might have made that up...)
Friday, 2 March 2012
See! It does sometimes help.
And here is another former Corpus philosopher putting some philosophy to use in her job.
Philosophy and the Stuart Low Trust
Harry Dempsey, one of our second-year undergraduates writes:
I have been involved with a project which aims to help the well-being of individuals who mostly have had mental health problems or have experienced social isolation through philosophy. The charity, the Stuart Low Trust, began the project in September 2011 and it is continuing to run successfully. The structure of the sessions is that a philosophical problem is raised and a relevant question is asked. It is discussed in small groups then brought back in to a big group discussion and another question following on from the first question is then asked and discussed.
Why does philosophy help people’s well-being? I think one of the key considerations is that these people are generally encouraged to speak about how they feel to therapists, where as engaging them in philosophy encourages them to speak about what they think. To have someone interested in their opinions and to try to constructively build their own matters a lot. The questions themselves have universal appeal and accessibility; the thoughts themselves are interesting and rewarding. Philosophy is best mediated through discussion and because of this, philosophy gets people talking to one another, not just about philosophical issues but as friends. One participant made an interesting comment that philosophy makes him feel uncomfortable: it challenges our everyday conceptions and beliefs but he finds that looking back at the progress his thoughts have gone through is rewarding. It is surprising that over half a year their ability as reasoners has vastly improved; they have developed the skill to deconstruct a question and to realise what may be a fruitless route of inquiry.
How has studying philosophy helped me to be involved in such a project? Philosophy has taught me how to present thoughts in the most understandable way. It can be hard having studied philosophy to teach it to other people due to the amount of terminology it involves but nonetheless it does encourage clarity and building complexity out of simplicity. My approach to philosophy is to try to see an insight in every point of view, even if it is wrong. This is important in order to help them develop their thoughts and to feel the point that they made was worthwhile. Having studied philosophy, it not only gives you the tools to approach any philosophical question but also knowledge of what is at the heart of many philosophical debates. Personally, I think it is interesting to engage in philosophy with a demographic that does not typically study philosophy as it is generally restricted to middle/upper class white individuals. It also has also helped me to develop sensitivity, as there may be things best avoided, such as using Descartes malicious demon example. The standout moment was a participant’s response to the sceptical challenge ‘what can we know with absolute certainty?’ which was ‘death and taxes’.
I have been involved with a project which aims to help the well-being of individuals who mostly have had mental health problems or have experienced social isolation through philosophy. The charity, the Stuart Low Trust, began the project in September 2011 and it is continuing to run successfully. The structure of the sessions is that a philosophical problem is raised and a relevant question is asked. It is discussed in small groups then brought back in to a big group discussion and another question following on from the first question is then asked and discussed.
How has studying philosophy helped me to be involved in such a project? Philosophy has taught me how to present thoughts in the most understandable way. It can be hard having studied philosophy to teach it to other people due to the amount of terminology it involves but nonetheless it does encourage clarity and building complexity out of simplicity. My approach to philosophy is to try to see an insight in every point of view, even if it is wrong. This is important in order to help them develop their thoughts and to feel the point that they made was worthwhile. Having studied philosophy, it not only gives you the tools to approach any philosophical question but also knowledge of what is at the heart of many philosophical debates. Personally, I think it is interesting to engage in philosophy with a demographic that does not typically study philosophy as it is generally restricted to middle/upper class white individuals. It also has also helped me to develop sensitivity, as there may be things best avoided, such as using Descartes malicious demon example. The standout moment was a participant’s response to the sceptical challenge ‘what can we know with absolute certainty?’ which was ‘death and taxes’.
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Subject taster day for prospective undergraduate applicants
Subject Taster Events
for students in Year 12
20th March 2012
Politics, Psychology and Sociology
Philosophy
These events will involve lectures and sessions by academics, including the subject Director of Studies, and are designed to:
• stimulate interest and thought
• give a sense of university-level study
• highlight the particular nature of the Cambridge course
• enrich students’ academic studies
The first session starts at 1030 and the event ends at 1515. Lunch and refreshments are included. The closing date for applications is 5th March 2012. Early booking is advise.
Applications must be made via your school. Please use the nomination form (link below) and return the completed form to the address shown. Schools can nominate a maximum of 2 students per taster event.
Closing date for Nominations 5th March 2012
Nomination Form
For more information on studying as an undergraduate at Corpus click here.
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Harry Potter...
You might think Cambridge would want to get away from the Harry Potter image (after all, it isn't filmed here and Herminone chose to go to Oxford) but this is quite fun anyway. King's chapel explodes. Win!
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