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Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-23-2024 to 05-23-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM → 12:00 PMInstructor: Steven Gimbel, Professor of Philosophy, Gettysburg CollegeTerm: 2024-2Location: Online ClassHumans are conscious beings--at least after our morning coffee. But what is the source of this consciousness? It seems like it has to be the brain, the mind, and/or the soul. It is only in the 20th century that the concepts of mind, brain, and soul were completely differentiated. What do we mean by these ideas? How to they relate to one another? Should we... read moreHumans are conscious beings--at least after our morning coffee. But what is the source of this consciousness? It seems like it has to be the brain, the mind, and/or the soul. It is only in the 20th century that the concepts of mind, brain, and soul were completely differentiated. What do we mean by these ideas? How to they relate to one another? Should we think they are real at all? Stimulating discussion will be provided, but you have to bring your own coffee. -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 05-30-2024 to 05-30-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM → 12:00 PMInstructor: Jade Olson, Ph.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Communication, University of Maryland, College ParkTerm: 2024-2Location: Hybrid - At Oasis and OnlineSocial movements are behind the most powerful changes in our world. They shift mindsets, enact laws, and influence how we relate to each other. In this class, we’ll address several key questions: What are the features of a movement that can hold leaders' attention and involve millions of participants? What have today’s social movements learned from... read moreSocial movements are behind the most powerful changes in our world. They shift mindsets, enact laws, and influence how we relate to each other. In this class, we’ll address several key questions: What are the features of a movement that can hold leaders' attention and involve millions of participants? What have today’s social movements learned from their 20th-century predecessors? How are activists harnessing our changing media environment? We'll explore the rhetorical strategies activists use to build power and fight for change in the U.S. and around the world. -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 06-20-2024 to 06-20-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM → 12:00 PMInstructor: Steven Gimbel, Professor of Philosophy, Gettysburg CollegeTerm: 2024-2Location: Online ClassThe classical Greeks defined human beings as rational animals, but are we really? It turns out that our brains are actually wired in many circumstances to believe irrational ideas, to draw unsupported conclusions and believe them. We will examine a number of these cognitive biases and logical fallacies and consider ways to avoid... read moreThe classical Greeks defined human beings as rational animals, but are we really? It turns out that our brains are actually wired in many circumstances to believe irrational ideas, to draw unsupported conclusions and believe them. We will examine a number of these cognitive biases and logical fallacies and consider ways to avoid them. -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 07-18-2024 to 07-18-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM → 12:00 PMInstructor: Steven Gimbel, Professor of Philosophy, Gettysburg CollegeTerm: 2024-2Location: Online ClassMachines can think...or can they? We know computers can calculate, and we know that for us to calculate we must think, but surely it does not then follow that computers must have thoughts. But could they? What would it mean for a machine to think? How would we know if a machine was actually thinking or just making it look as if it... read moreMachines can think...or can they? We know computers can calculate, and we know that for us to calculate we must think, but surely it does not then follow that computers must have thoughts. But could they? What would it mean for a machine to think? How would we know if a machine was actually thinking or just making it look as if it was? -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 07-24-2024 to 07-24-2024Day(s) of the week: WednesdayTime: 1:00 PM → 2:30 PMInstructor: Daryl Davis, MusicianTerm: 2024-2Location: Hybrid - At Oasis and OnlineAll Americans know the game football. However in most other countries, other than Canada, the term "football" refers to the game we call "soccer." But we don't have to leave the U.S. to find different interpretations of the same word or phrases. There are often differences in how Black & White Americans perceive and interpret the same words. This class... read moreAll Americans know the game football. However in most other countries, other than Canada, the term "football" refers to the game we call "soccer." But we don't have to leave the U.S. to find different interpretations of the same word or phrases. There are often differences in how Black & White Americans perceive and interpret the same words. This class will explore some of those misinterpetrations in communication between these two groups of English speaking Americans. -
Sessions: 1Class Date(s): 08-08-2024 to 08-08-2024Day(s) of the week: ThursdayTime: 10:30 AM → 12:00 PMInstructor: Steven Gimbel, Professor of Philosophy, Gettysburg CollegeTerm: 2024-2Location: Online ClassAre there thoughts we cannot think and if so, how can we think about them? What are the limits of thoughts? Are they indicative of aspects of the world or simply arbitrary boundaries of our neurological wiring? We can surely think of thinks that are false, but can we imagine that which is impossible? Could there be truths that we cannot know and if so, how... read moreAre there thoughts we cannot think and if so, how can we think about them? What are the limits of thoughts? Are they indicative of aspects of the world or simply arbitrary boundaries of our neurological wiring? We can surely think of thinks that are false, but can we imagine that which is impossible? Could there be truths that we cannot know and if so, how would we know this without knowing them?
