Season’s greetings, fellow theorizers!
I know you have had a busy
semester. It seems I have also acutely
felt the burdens of work, family, grading, as well as the emotions and desires
to hole up and be selfish with my time.
However, our journey in TOK needs to start with some clear foundations before we begin our daily grind into the world of philosophy and epistemology. I grappled with the idea of burdening you during the semester, or during break, and I have chosen the latter. What follows is a writing prompt developed as a companion to a book entitled Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar…Understanding Philosophy through Jokes. It is an easy read, and is as the title suggests, a joke book.
Philosophy is so often presented as a dry, armchair intellectual pursuit that disengages the emotion, dignity, and character of human knowledge. Those who spend their hours contemplating existential questions often find themselves as on an island; unable to communicate with those around them. That is not the trajectory we are on in this course. Our goal is to present the foundations of academic knowing in a functional way so as to develop confidence in your interactions with others. In the process, you will develop a level of empathy with other viewpoints, because you will begin to understand the limitations of knowing. Conversations are full of questions, not answers. This is what I hope to instill throughout the next two semesters.
However, our journey in TOK needs to start with some clear foundations before we begin our daily grind into the world of philosophy and epistemology. I grappled with the idea of burdening you during the semester, or during break, and I have chosen the latter. What follows is a writing prompt developed as a companion to a book entitled Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar…Understanding Philosophy through Jokes. It is an easy read, and is as the title suggests, a joke book.
Philosophy is so often presented as a dry, armchair intellectual pursuit that disengages the emotion, dignity, and character of human knowledge. Those who spend their hours contemplating existential questions often find themselves as on an island; unable to communicate with those around them. That is not the trajectory we are on in this course. Our goal is to present the foundations of academic knowing in a functional way so as to develop confidence in your interactions with others. In the process, you will develop a level of empathy with other viewpoints, because you will begin to understand the limitations of knowing. Conversations are full of questions, not answers. This is what I hope to instill throughout the next two semesters.
Enough waxing metaphysical, here is your prompt:
In Plato and a
Platypus Walk into a Bar…Understanding Philosophy through Jokes, several
important foundational ideas are presented regarding the nature of
understanding, knowledge and the ways we as human beings interact in the world. In proper MLA formatting, complete the
following tasks:
1.
After reading the book, consider and analyze 1
concept in each of the following areas: Philosophy, epistemology, reason,
religion, and ethics. Sift each concept
into a single, overarching question (avoid being simplistic, your question
should be open-ended and nuanced to allow for a conversation, not a definite
answer).
2.
Next, articulate your own view about these
topics according to your prior knowledge.
Include specific examples from your own life, especially any arguments
or interactions you have had with people who differ from you.
3.
Lastly, discuss how the concepts presented in
the book changed or reinforced your current understanding of each topic. Include a prediction towards areas of
interest in the future as a conclusion.
Suggested outline of each body
paragraph (5 total):
1.
Philosophy/Epistemology/Reason/Religion/Ethics
2.
Question
3.
Your View with Examples
4.
View of Author, Changed/reinforced
Conclusion Paragraph:
1.
Prediction of future interest
