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Oct
23
Sat
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Education :: Miscellaneous Education
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Philosophy Walk: Quirky Virtues
9:00 AM
Mt. Helena Trailhead
Description:
Philosophy Walk: Quirky Virtues
9:00 AM
Mt. Helena Trailhead
Description:
RSVP HERE:
http://eepurl.com/hICQVr
In this walk led by philosopher David Nowakowski, we'll explore the wonderful world of virtues...and how quirky or not they can be.
WHAT WE'LL BE EXPLORING:
Aristotle tells us that every virtue is both a midpoint between a pair of opposed vices, and also a pinnacle of excellence. In this walk, we’ll explore this particular account of virtue: first to understand it, and then to see what it can teach us about virtue in contemporary life and thought.
We’ll start with some virtues that are easy—or at least, fairly straightforward. At our first stop, we’ll examine virtues like courage, where contemporary thinking lines up pretty closely with Aristotle’s view of virtue. Here, our goal is to use familiar examples to “think ourselves into” Aristotle’s worldview.
With that foundation in place, at the next two stops, we’ll look at some virtues that are harder to make sense of.
At our second stop, we’ll think about virtues that Aristotle takes for granted, but which might sound odd to modern ears: things like magnanimity or “great souledness,” which Aristotle defines as “thinking that you are worthy of great things, when you really are worthy of them.” How on earth is that a balanced midpoint, or a praiseworthy sort of character? We’ll use these unfamiliar examples as tools to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of Aristotle’s theory, and of how that theory might challenge or present an alternative to contemporary beliefs and attitudes.
Finally, at our third stop, we’ll take just the opposite approach. We’ll look at things which modern people might think of as obvious virtues, but which Aristotle might have a hard time fitting into his account. Examples could include humility, obedience, or whatever else we come up with as a group. As we try to figure out what Aristotle could say about examples which are never addressed in his writings, we’ll develop our own ability to “think along with” ancient philosophers, as part of a living conversation.
LEARN MORE & RSVP HERE: https://merlinccc.org/event/philosophy-walk-quirky-virtues-october-2021/
http://eepurl.com/hICQVr
In this walk led by philosopher David Nowakowski, we'll explore the wonderful world of virtues...and how quirky or not they can be.
WHAT WE'LL BE EXPLORING:
Aristotle tells us that every virtue is both a midpoint between a pair of opposed vices, and also a pinnacle of excellence. In this walk, we’ll explore this particular account of virtue: first to understand it, and then to see what it can teach us about virtue in contemporary life and thought.
We’ll start with some virtues that are easy—or at least, fairly straightforward. At our first stop, we’ll examine virtues like courage, where contemporary thinking lines up pretty closely with Aristotle’s view of virtue. Here, our goal is to use familiar examples to “think ourselves into” Aristotle’s worldview.
With that foundation in place, at the next two stops, we’ll look at some virtues that are harder to make sense of.
At our second stop, we’ll think about virtues that Aristotle takes for granted, but which might sound odd to modern ears: things like magnanimity or “great souledness,” which Aristotle defines as “thinking that you are worthy of great things, when you really are worthy of them.” How on earth is that a balanced midpoint, or a praiseworthy sort of character? We’ll use these unfamiliar examples as tools to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of Aristotle’s theory, and of how that theory might challenge or present an alternative to contemporary beliefs and attitudes.
Finally, at our third stop, we’ll take just the opposite approach. We’ll look at things which modern people might think of as obvious virtues, but which Aristotle might have a hard time fitting into his account. Examples could include humility, obedience, or whatever else we come up with as a group. As we try to figure out what Aristotle could say about examples which are never addressed in his writings, we’ll develop our own ability to “think along with” ancient philosophers, as part of a living conversation.
LEARN MORE & RSVP HERE: https://merlinccc.org/event/philosophy-walk-quirky-virtues-october-2021/
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Age Group: All Ages
Venue: Mt. Helena Trailhead
Address: Mt. Helena Trailhead Helena, MT 59601
Phone: 406-439-5788
