Philosophy Finds Fun

Socrates did say “an unexamined life is not worth living,” and that’s what a new club on campus does. MU‘s Philosophy Club is not just for the serious philosophy major.

“This club is for everyone,” says senior Jon Taylor, president of the club.

Philosophy professor and advisor of the club, Melanie Shepherd says the club offers students a chance to network and think outside the box in other places besides the classroom.

“It is a forum for students with a little bit of interest in philosophy,” says Shepherd.

The Philosophy Club is a gathering place which consists of informal discussions, shared ideas, constructive debates and readings as selected by everyone within the club. They welcome and encourage students of any and all majors to join. “It is about friendships of an intellectual kind,” says Shepherd.

In the course of each club meeting, open ended topics for the following meeting are brought forth. As a group, it is decided what discussion will be explored, wherein readings may then be given. Some topics that have been discussed in meetings include race, politics, personal dreams, bio-ethical issues and biotechnology.

“We are here to dispel the myth that the Philosophy Club is a lot of very deep talk that goes over your head,” said Taylor. “Philosophy can be fun, or at least should be, if you’re doing it right.”

Shepherd also points out the importance of having these kinds of informal discussions during your college years as a great way to prepare for the future.

The board of officers of the American Philosophical Association says that philosophy has an impact in citizenship, which includes political and community affairs. It promotes critical thinking and interpretative capacity, and the subject teaches skills that are beneficial to any profession.

The Philosophy Club meets every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Mercy Hall room 32. Meetings are generally an hour and fifteen minutes.

For more information, contact Jon Taylor at taylorj@misericordia.edu.

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