FEEDBACK ON MY EXPLORE PROGRAMME TEACHING

2012 – Season Three

Talking with TED 1

Brilliant Ted 1- and very stimulating discussion.

Apr 24 2013

 

2012 – Season Three

Talking with TED 1

A good session. Wish I had known more about these TED talks beforehand! I am sure more people would have come if there had been more detail in the brochure. There again, a large group would be a little unmanageable.

Apr 24 2013

 

2012 – Season Three

Talking with TED 1

Amusing, lively, thought-provoking. A great way to spend lunch-time.

Apr 24 2013

 

 

2012 – Season Three

Talking with TED 1

It was good. Might be worth thinking about not letting discussion go too far off topic afterwards, but otherwise interesting chat

Apr 23 2013

 

2012 – Season Two

Reading Wittgenstein

Excellent – enjoyed it very much and made me want to read about other philosophers and bring me a bit more up to speed with the others.

Mar 18 2013

 

2012 – Season Two

Reading Wittgenstein

Loved every minute of these sessions. I did like the format of the sessions – got through a lot of material yet there was plenty of discussion.

Mar 12 2013

 

2012 – Season Two

Reading Wittgenstein

This was my first experience of an extended course apart from Italian language and I was very impressed. It was an honour to be led through this topic by such a renowned authority as Ian and his knowledge of the work was extraordinary. Although the sessions lasted 90 minutes (plus !!!) the pace and interest generated made the time fly by. I particularly appreciated Ian’s ability to engage members of the group without diluting his own input. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the final two sessions but have maintained an interest and continue to read about Wittgenstein’s life and work.

Mar 12 2013

 

2012 – Season Two

Reading Wittgenstein

A very stimulating and demanding course which I found a valuable and manageable way into later Wittgenstein as a philosopher who challenges deeply held assumptions about what counts as rational thinking about key aspects of human life. Because of W’s distinctive way of presenting his thought, I would have welcomed a bit more clarity about priority reading for each next session; on the other hand, I found the short power point synopses very helpful as a guide to key emphases. Altogether a course that offered a different level of challenge than any I’ve encountered in other seasons, other than the ‘Philosophy today’ programme.

Mar 11 2013

 

2012 – Season Two

Reading Wittgenstein

Excellent. A big help in understanding this difficult philosopher.

Mar 11 2013

 

2012 – Season Two

Reading Wittgenstein

Brain punishing, but fascinating! It’d be great to have a course seeing Wittgenstein in context with other philosophical theories and constructs.

Mar 11 2013

 

2012 – Season One

A Game of Billiards: What If Mozart and Kant Had Met?

Very interesting session.

Dec 6 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Philosophy Today

A stimulating few weeks, though very difficult for a mere scientist! I welcomed the chance to stretch my mind.

Dec 6 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Philosophy Today

Another stimulating and well steered course. Paper considered was a bit more like ‘notes towards . . .’ than what we’ve had before – created some extra problems for ‘amateurs’ like (most of) us, I think, but this was interesting – and the overall theme was stimulating to address.

Dec 4 2012

 

2012 – Season One

The Kitsch, the Chic, the Naff and the ‘naice’

Worthwhile and interesting.

Nov 29 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Philosophy Today

This course has been quite a steep learning curve for me as I have not really entered into any philosophical discussion before. I found the paper difficult, rather like a tangled matt of knitting wool. I was grateful for the questions that the group as a whole came up with. I don’t intend to give up on philosophy. I hope I can prepare myself better next time. I missed two of the seven sessions and that didn’t help. I just hope Ian did not consider me a lost cause. I am only a beginner!

Nov 27 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Avison on Music

I found this a really enlightening talk & discussion on the meaning of music. I knew very little about Avison but was extremely pleased to discover that he had similar views to mine on the way music impacts on us! It was just a shame that there were not more people there to benefit from Iain’s efforts. Fascinating stuff

Nov 26 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

An interesting and session, well managed to cover all the relevant issues in the time available and pitched at just the right balance between direction from the tutor and teasing out contributions from the floor. My only problem was a visual one in interpreting detail in a black and white work with the poor definition that projection onto the Arts Centre screen usually entails.

Oct 31 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

Brilliant! Perhaps we should have more of these kind of sessions where art and politics meet.

Oct 29 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

This was an excellent session with a good balance of ‘group work’ and input.

Oct 26 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

I much enjoyed this session. It was a different approach to the subject, and certainly helped me to really look and understand more about the painting. Thank you Ian

Oct 19 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

I know this painting well, and a fair bit about the Spanish Civil War. As a result I was interested in the session, and found Ian’s method of analyzing it quite thought provoking, but then it got too repetitive and lost the impetus a bit.

Oct 19 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

have to be careful what I say as I sing with Mr G, but seriously it was a good session and I enjoyed the brief intro to one way of viewing a picture. The discussion of the elements of the picture proved a fruitful way into it as well

Oct 17 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

New ways of looking ! Very helpful very disturbing. Sue

Oct 17 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

It was an interesting exercise in iconographical analysis, particularly in interpreting the symbolism of the various figures.

Oct 17 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

The Q & A sheets focused our analysis of Guernica and made it possible to attain a deeper understanding of this picture. It was difficult to see the flower by the sword(I was sitting on the raised seats at the back of the large room at the Arts Centre)but everything else which was carefully highlighted by Ian was recognizable. I shall have to provide myself with binoculars, as I see other people using occasionally. I have spoken to many people about this talk and all have been equally as enthusiastic. I think it was a good idea to make us talk in small groups before pointing out aspects of the picture. I thought the three stages for looking at Picasso’s Guernica was enlightening for me. Do you think Ian has time to do more art talks?

Oct 17 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

Good session. Reinforced how important it is to take time and a have a structure in mind when looking at pictures.

Oct 17 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

Never really looked at the picture before. A shock to be made to THINK so early in the term. An interesting hour.

Oct 17 2012

 

2012 – Season One

Guernica

Very good and worthwhile as it always is with Ian.

Oct 17 2012

 

2011 – Season Four

Philosophy Today

The course followed the tried and successful formula of studying a contemporary paper on a philosophical them and formulating questions for the author. It was abridged by one class, with extra time being added to other classes, but on reflection I felt the lack of the deleted class in having a little less time for ideas to ‘age in the wood.’ The synergy of the group is also crucial, and I thought we didn’t ‘gel’ as successfully as some previous groups where several members had worked together before. These were marginal considerations, however, which did not prevent the course from being enjoyable and challenging. Ian Ground’s input was crucial in enabling us to pull our ideas together into a coherent set of questions.

Aug 25 2012

 

2011 – Season Four

Why Do People Matter?

Why Do People Matter? Very thought-provoking and amazing amount of information shared in such a short time. As always clearly delivered and illustrated.

Jul 26 2012

 

2011 – Season Four

Why Do People Matter?

I enjoyed this session; all the conundrums; opinions and brain-hurting ponderings! Because I don’t know much philosophical theory I can’t debate in the way such a subject deserves, but it was worth having a go! Thank you, Pat

Jul 25 2012

 

2011 – Season Four

Why Do People Matter?

I enjoyed this session and found the subject matter both new to me and stimulating, I must break out of my self imposed history ghetto! Good to meet and hear Ian after all this time.

Jul 25 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Drive

Since this session was one in the ‘ Movie Meditations ‘ course rather than a ‘one off ‘ I think on reflection it would be more sensible to comment on the course as a whole, which I think would be in line with CLL’s normal practice anyway. The course has been enjoyable and stimulating, and particularly useful for someone like me who is too ready to see the cinema purely in terms of entertainment. There has been a good choice of thought-provoking films, and Ian Ground has dedicated a great deal of work to providing background on the various issues explored as well as leading discussions in class.

Jun 28 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Existenz

An interesting and thought-provoking session, though the film in question was not always comfortable viewing, partly as a result of the director’s love of visceral imagery, and partly the ambiguity between gaming and real life.

Jun 14 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Wittgenstein

An inspiring seminar. I had started a “How to Read” Wittgenstein book by Ray Monk, and that gave me a foothold for pushing things considerably further with Ian Ground’s discussion of (in particular) “Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus”. Even though I would steer clear of the text itself, I (and many others) want to know the area it’s in, and what it speaks of. And that’s why these seminars are so good: they put you in touch with works that are often off-putting in themselves because of the refined concepts and the specialist language they use, but works you know are key documents of contemporary thought (add to that, experience). The group’s “chemistry” also helped, and Ian’s open and friendly manner helped that. Also, it was good to get rid of prejudices with regard to the film itself. A second viewing of “Wittgenstein” (and “Blade Runner” before it)convinced me that my first viewing dismissal was shallow. Sure, you would need double the time to properly explore Jarman’s film than we actually had, but it was a very good launching pad for the thinking about Wittgenstein that followed. I hope Explore will go on with this kind of work – there are loads of people interested in philosophy who feel they are kept out because they lack the training and the jargon that goes with it. I’m sure the training and the jargon are necessary to academics, but it’s awfully nice if some of the rest of us can get a look in!

Jun 14 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Wittgenstein

I have enjoyed the film but I’m afraid that the philosophy associated leaves me a bit unconvinced. Perhaps Wittgenstein needed to get out more. Perhaps my reaction to a catholic upbringing brings a natural disbelief of things which have no evidence (as Dawkins would say). Still the four films I have seen and the discussion afterwards has been different to the usual discussions at Silver Screen and the like. Interesting.

Jun 14 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Why Do We Find Things Beautiful?

This session answered the question posed by the title in a stimulating way with a very good balance between theory and illustrative examples. It was very well managed to fit the time available, but at the same time covered enough material to have me slightly running to catch up. If the session comes round again at any time I would certainly enjoy a second viewing to consolidate the main themes.

Jun 3 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Drive

This session is always interesting and thought-provoking.

May 31 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memory and Self

Very thought provoking. Found it really interesting.

May 25 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Blade Runner

Really enjoyed it – it is one of my favorite films – wish I ha done some homework before though as Ian does a great job of trying to get us to think and in ` good way I can feel my brain striking! It was a good way to begin to appreciate the restrictions of western style thinking with its millennia old dualism

May 25 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Blade Runner

Excellent. The class had the opportunity to see the film before the session. Group discussion was guided by clear slides. The plenary session was very well handled by Ian, personally and professionally, giving what I thought were superbly clear explanations of some very complex issues. A very enjoyable afternoon. My only regret is in missing all of the rest of the course for medical reasons [my wife’s second knee replacement and my own forthcoming second hip replacement – early signs of Replicate development…?], as several of the films are favorites.

May 24 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Blade Runner

Fascinating as ever.

May 24 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Blade Runner

Excellent discussion. All I want now is a rent of a Pleasure Model type 6 replicant.

May 24 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memento

the session was , as usual, nicely set up and carried forward. Possibly there was too much stimulating material put up on screen for it to be absorbed or explored. More personally, the session was useful in clarifying further for me my inadequate capacity to ‘handle’ this sort of film and become at all articulate about it. I suspect this is leading to a kind of shrugging switch off for this way of exploring philosophical issues, let alone of ‘presenting’ philosophy as an experience.

May 19 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memory and Self

This was an interesting session which I enjoyed, but somewhat taxing to my non-philosophy- related grey cells. I’m not sure I learn very much from such sessions, but the thought processes and counter arguments are good for me! Thank you Ian, Pat

May 18 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memento

This was a stimulating and well structured session. For me it is a great way to access a difficult subject through a more familiar genre, that of film. The group work is a good way of getting to know the other cll members and makes it a more social experience.

May 18 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memento

Worth attending as always.

May 17 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memento

It was my first philosophy session. Trouble was I thought the film for discussion was Blade Runner but I was wrong. I’m philosophical about it and will try next time when I’m sure it will make sense.

May 17 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Memento

very stimulating – even the confusions were that! I’m sorry I’ve missed the earlier sessions, but I imagine Memento will be the jewel in the crown. For people coming from literature rather than philosophy, this is a “sympathetic” approach to philosophical issues – much easier (for me at any rate) than approaches that go through strict logical steps.

May 17 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Existenz

Interesting as ever.

May 11 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Existenz

Well Ian I don’t know how you turned what I thought was a second rate movie into a thought provoking session but you did? You know of course that this makes life just a trifle more difficult if we have to look for the deeper meaning in everything. Jack

May 4 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

The Greatest Good?

Interesting as always.

Apr 27 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

The Greatest Good?

I found the subject too big to grasp but I have always found philosophy, though very tempting, very difficult. The general atmosphere Ian created was very supportive and relaxed.

Apr 27 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

The Greatest Good?

It was enjoyable. It would be good if possible to be able to debate the side of the argument that you actually believe in, to make it more real and passionate, but obviously if everyone present has similar views, this would not be possible.

Apr 27 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Why Do We Find Things Beautiful?

This was my first session with Ian. Very thought provoking. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but I am still not sure why.

Apr 27 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Why Do We Find Things Beautiful?

Very good session. Unfortunately I had to leave early, but this is the first time I have attended a ‘philosophy’ session and although I felt a little bit lost, it was interesting. It has encouraged me to perhaps attend some of the introductory sessions. Good tutor.

Apr 26 2012

 

2011 – Season Three

Why Do We Find Things Beautiful?

Very clearly presented. My first venture into philosophy. So interesting and informative.

Apr 25 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Philosophy Today: Theories of Animal Communication

Challenging, and very interesting. I enjoyed particularly the way the course was structured, reading through the paper together and analyzing the subject as we went. It was a good group, well balanced with a range of approaches – I really enjoyed and benefitted from the interaction, and Ian is very good at both keeping the discussion lively and keeping it to the point. It was stretching, and energizing; excellent.

Apr 3 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Where’s the Art in Conceptual Art?

Challenging to be engaged in a discussion on a subject about which I am always conflicted [in that I can theorize in favour of conceptual art but very rarely enjoy it or feel engaged by it] and having to formulate statements about it; and a session that threw up one of the great things about Explore – I found myself in a group with someone I had never met before, who had such interesting things to say on conceptual art that I found quite new ways to consider it opening for me. There were very good things said on both sides of the argument, and in summary. I had not approached the session with much enthusiasm for the subject, but it turned out one of the most interesting.

Mar 14 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Very Popular Ways of Arguing Badly

I enjoyed all the sessions in this series that I was able to attend – all great fun, good practice, and in many cases salutary lessons in discussion discipline. The introductory session was particularly good – I remember especially the Sharpshooter fallacy; not a definition / warning I had encountered before, and valuable to remember.

Mar 13 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

A Very Quick Introduction to Philosophy

This was an excellent session. I hesitated a little about attending since, as one of Ian’s regular attenders on the Philosophy Today course, I had doubtless had more than a very quick introduction already. Attend I did, however, and was pleased to have done so. The time available was well managed to cover a useful selection of ethical dilemmas and a start to examining our place in the world. All in all a very stimulating two hours.

Mar 13 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

A Very Quick Introduction to Philosophy

I thought that for an absolute beginner like me, this was a great introduction. I find abstract concepts quite hard to grasp, but this was presented in a very accessible way.

Mar 11 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Philosophy Today: Theories of Animal Communication

Another excellent course – stimulating, strongly participative, and on a currently important kind of topic. We remain fortunate to have such high quality and ‘up to the minute’ material and teaching approaches available for those with this sort of educational interest.

Mar 4 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Philosophy Today: Theories of Animal Communication

This has been an excellent course, requiring more involvement from participants, and making more demands, than most programmes will do, but with correspondingly greater rewards in the satisfaction of having grappled in detail with new concepts and co-operated with fellow students in formulating responses. Class members have worked well together and Ian has provided skilled and dedicated leadership. The format of discussing papers by contemporary philosophers and sending them our responses is an inspired one which has enabled us to feel like participants in these themes rather than observers.

Mar 4 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Philosophy Today: Theories of Animal Communication

Although unable to complete the course, I have followed with interest the program on television about animal communication and read the handout about parrots etc. so I feel I have gained some knowledge. Will explore more later.

Mar 1 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Philosophy Today: Theories of Animal Communication

Interesting and informative. Changed the way I think!

Feb 28 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Philosophy Today: Theories of Animal Communication

A very well presented, interesting course.

Feb 28 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Ethical Dilemmas: The Principle of Double Effect

This was an enjoyable and stimulating session, well managed and paced for the time available, with useful examples given of various ethical dilemmas. It deserved a bigger attendance, but Monday is a fairly busy day for CLL and perhaps many members have started to ‘wilt’ by 4 o’clock.

Feb 26 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Ethical Dilemmas: The Principle of Double Effect

Knew the issues but not the theory so brilliant…!

Feb 26 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

The Principle of Double Effect

Very interesting.

Feb 18 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

The Principle of Double Effect

fascinating introduction to a principle of great subtlety and relevance. Thought that it showed that a thorough-going deontologist could have the most absolute principles, but in practice could advocate anything thanks to the principle of double effect. An absolute prohibition on taking human life but allowing abortion to save the mother, against euthanasia but allowing medical staff to administer life shortening analgesia.

Feb 17 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Where’s the Art in Conceptual Art?

There’s a whole course in this topic [see suggestion below]. The session was enjoyable and thought-provoking. I am aware that I and one or two others can be quite “assertive” and I appreciated the tutor’s skill at involving most people in both teams.

Jan 31 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Very Popular Ways of Arguing Badly

Very good session with a good balance of input and feedback. I found some of the sessions last year had insufficient early input to focus the group discussions.

Jan 23 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Very Popular Ways of Arguing Badly

I need more sessions to give feedback. The first one was quite good with a balance of seriousness and humour, theory and practice. I enjoyed it. Thanks!

Jan 21 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Very Popular Ways of Arguing Badly

Very interesting and informative. Certainly well worth attending.

Jan 20 2012

 

2011 – Season Two

Very Popular Ways of Arguing Badly

An entertaining and informative session – some useful revision of a session last season (which I had missed but in theory knew about). The tutor handled some assertive class members assertively (and politely) but allowed a good deal of discussion and interruption. Jan 20 2012

 

2011 – Season One

Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder?

Another good test of mental discipline! – I think we are getting better at focusing on the question and avoiding wasting time in discussing the whole subject, rather it is getting easier to concentrate on how we can develop the argument we have to present. Perhaps also getting better at looking for the semantic twists…

Dec 20 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Philosophy Today: Allen on Animals

I enjoyed it. Some of the language used in the paper was difficult to understand but the tutor explained it in terms that I could appreciate.

Dec 9 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Philosophy Today: Allen on Animals

I always enjoy the challenge of the Philosophy Today Courses which are always interesting and well thought. Dec 8 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Philosophy Today: Allen on Animals

While I regard the overall area of animal minds as challenging and interesting, I found the paper by Allen hard to engage with -far more so than any of the recent papers looked at in previous seasons. Since I also had to be away for 2 of the sessions and there were a further 2 ‘hiccups’ in the sequence, I guess the paper was fighting a losing battle for my committed attention. However, it was interesting to glance at some of the other material referred to, and I anticipate the coming season’s focus to be really stimulating, following our sneak preview, as it were.

Dec 7 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder?

An interesting and enjoyable interactive session. It’s definitely good to have some variation from the usual narrative sessions with only minor audience participation. These sessions as a whole have been a little mixed – often due to a mix of time constraints and a slightly unclear format. I suspect that the ground rules need to be clearly restated on every session and possibly some structure considered to ensure everyone gets an opinion expressed. On some occasions the debate has been swamped by outgoing individuals with strong views. Personally I would like to see this sort of session continue.

Dec 7 2011

 

 

2011 – Season One

Is Beauty in the Eye of the Beholder?

A very enjoyable debate indeed. Ian’s comments at the end were very enlightening.

Nov 25 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Is Immortality Desirable?

I got assigned to speak for a proposal I did not agree with, and found that a very interesting exercise; most of the group were in the same position, so it was not easy to focus our minds on the positives in the idea. I think we surprised ourselves at the reasons we could find. [Not that we agreed with us.]

Oct 26 2011

 

2011 – Season One

How to Lose an Argument

Great fun, very valuable too. With practice I may achieve a rational Socratic calm that should ensure my opponent tries to strangle me.

Oct 26 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Is Immortality Desirable?

A very enjoyable and thought provoking session. I especially liked the interactive, debate style format. The provision of reading material prior to the session is a great move – one which I think would yield benefits in a wider range of sessions, not just these debate directed ones. This material, coupled with a brief introduction/overview of the question at hand, affords a satisfying level of debate. I am looking forward to future sessions.

Oct 19 2011

 

2011 – Season One

How to Lose an Argument

I enjoyed Ian’s discussion but there are always members of classes who like to display their own knowledge. Ian handled this well. The same gentleman did distract me by trying to find his Explore card, which took a long time and then he had to take a phone call. Unfortunately the venue and access were not good. Being ‘disabled’ does not mean that one should have to rely on others and the route via the back corridor to the downstairs’ area is not welcoming. I should have liked to continue with those discussions but not in the present venue.

Oct 19 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Is Immortality Desirable?

Hello I thought the debate was a really good idea. What also made it especially interesting is the fact that I had to take the side of the debate that wasn’t my true position. I had to think about the opposing view in some depth. It was also interesting to see the personalities of the group come to the fore very quickly. Hope there are many more. Regards Bill

Oct 18 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Is Immortality Desirable?

Good discussion – I enjoyed it. As sometimes happens in discussion groups there were several individuals who tried to dominate, while others found it difficult to be heard. Would appointing a chairperson for each group help??

Oct 17 2011

 

2011 – Season One

How to Lose an Argument

very enjoyable. I definitely want to come to further sessions

Oct 9 2011

 

2011 – Season One

Philosophy Day School: The Enactivist Mind

An excellent day, thank you. Very thought provoking and informative, and just the sort of work-out for the mind I am in need of. On a house-keeping note, the venue, whilst nice and entirely acceptable, was not the best from an acoustic point of view. Such a large room for such a small group meant that a lot of what was said (by everyone) was difficult to hear. May I suggest some sound reinforcement (at least for the main speaker), or setting up in a corner with some sound-deadening panels to kill the echoing? – and even an around-the-table approach, where everyone can see and hear each other.

Oct 9 2011

 

2011 – Season One

How to Lose an Argument

This was an excellent session. The formal analysis of how to make a valid argument combined with the choice of topics for future debate seemed to me to be an original and exciting way of presenting philosophical ideas that will certainly get people involved.

Oct 8 2011

 

2010 – Season Four

Art V Nature

As always, Ian made me think “out of the box”, and I enjoyed the session. I don’t think I have much innate understanding or indeed patience with the vagaries and procrastinations of philosophical thinking, but it does me no harm at all to make my brain hurt occasionally! Thank you, Pat

Sep 23 2011

 

2010 – Season Four

Art V Nature

A very interesting new approach to the thorny question of aesthetics, as I’d expect from Ian. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

Sep 22 2011

 

2010 – Season Four

Philosophy Today 4

It was a very good day school. I enjoyed it a lot! Perhaps a little long. If the day was divided into 3 parts it would reduce the stress on the students. But well planned and well thought by the teacher. Bill

Jul 11 2011

 

 

2010 – Season Three

Philosophy Today

Another excellent course – beautifully presented and stimulating in content. This approach to genuinely active group learning, with a challenging target, openness to personal perspectives, and skillful tutorial steering seems to me a powerful way of enabling us to gain new insights which grow out of ‘communal’ efforts rather than more passive absorbing.

Jun 18 2011

 

2010 – Season Three

Philosophy Today

This has been another successful session centered on the discussion of a paper by a contemporary philosopher. The format of exploring themes in the paper via tutor-led discussion within the group is a particular useful one in highlighting the salient issues and refining our responses. Although technological problems frustrated some of our dialogue with the author of this session’s paper, it was the process which had led us up to that point which constituted the essential benefit of the course.

Jun 11 2011

 

2010 – Season Three

Philosophy Today

I found the structure of this course quite engaging and involving. The opportunity to grapple with a subject (aesthetics) that is new to me and discuss with the author a paper dealing with an area that seems to still have much to explore and discover is rather appealing. I think that more sessions of this interactive nature should be considered across the gamut of the Explore scheme, though in fairness this may already be so and I am simply not aware of it. Regards David Bowler

Jun 8 2011