Thursday, February 21, 2008

Updates: LA, Obenga, Extra Credit (BSU: 1124, 1125; PGCC: 2205)

For class this coming Friday, 2.22.08, take note of the following:

1. There will be a Learning Assessment (LA) on Law's text this Friday, in place of a critique. Be sure to know how the text is structured, the key features of each philosophical era, how each era relates to MEAL (see syllabus), what the SAC method is all about (see syllabus), and what "story" Law is trying to tell.
- For those that want to earn extra credit points (see syllabus) write a critique on Law's text for this week. It can be useful insofar as it can help you prepare for Friday's LA.

2. On this Friday's reading for Obenga, read pages 51 - 66. Upon reading said pages, you will need to know how his text is structured for class (which is about what points he is trying to prove, i.e. the "Etymology of the Word Philosophy," "Definition of the Sage...," "Egypt Contributed to the Birth of Greek Philosophy").
- To really understand Obenga's text, read the "Conclusion" (100 - 101). His primary intent and argument is made explicitly clear.
- You do not have to read the following texts for Friday. However, to facilitate your understanding of Obenga's text, in preparation for your "Midterm," take heed of the following links: on the limits of "philosophical reasoning" and the value of explaining certain moral truths through story and ritual, see “The Secrets of Obama’s Success and Why He’ll Keep Winning – He Listens to George Lakoff” (Pensito Review, February 20, 2008) http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/02/20/the-secret-of-obamas-success-and-why-hell-keep-winning-%e2%80%94-he-listens-to-george-lakoff/ (accessed February 21, 2008); and see the text Thinking Points (Rockridge Institute, 2007) http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/thinkingpoints/ (accessed February 21, 2008). In the latter text, focus on Ch. 1 for a critique on "philosophical reasoning;" Ch. 3 for how the brain works, concerning reasoning and emotion; and Ch. 8 on the contrast between "philosophical reasoning" vs. "narrative reasoning," in action.

3. For extra credit this Friday, come to class with a clear understanding of what fallacies are all about.
- The classroom link will not be posted, as we discussed. (It was intended to be a closed-notebook and "pop" extra credit opportunity.) Instead, you will have the opportunity to earn extra credit points in class tomorrow-- to the degree that you can demonstrate your understanding of fallacies. Also, start studying for the Midterm LA on all that we have experienced to date.

1 comment:

A. Taylor, Ph.D. said...

GL,

"I was unfortunately unable to talk with you about credit for our group assignment due last Friday when we spoke this morning after your 10am class."

I look forward to visiting with you during my office hours, now that the context is clear.