Day 52 Two Big Questions in Epistemology

Today we renewed our interest in Epistemology by having a wonderful and wide-ranging discussion on how to use Epistemology to attempt to answer some questions that we will likely never be able to answer.

This Ted Talk Video, Chris Anderson on 2 Big Questions That We Don't Know the Answers To Yet, is a unique way of establishing some perspective on our place in the universe.  To gauge our size in the universe he points out that if we took all of the starts in the Milky Way Galaxy and turned each of the 400 Billion of them into a grain of sand, we would end up with a beach a meter deep and about the size of our classroom (Rm. 104).  If we turned each star in the universe into a grain of sand and created the same model we would create a beach many millions of km square, a meter deep - not enough room on our planet to hold such a model (400 Billion grains of sand x 100 Billion galaxies, or thereabouts).  So, the two big questions Chris asks are:
1. How Many Universes Are There? and
2. Why Have We Not Seen Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life?

To the first question he answers that we are in a time of new thinking in Physics, and that there are potentially trillions if not an infinite number of universes out there (multiverses).

To the second question he answers that maybe our technology is not sophisticated enough, that's an obvious one, but that there is another potential answer too.... that we might not be looking in the right places.  Perhaps alien life is everywhere, including on Earth, but we just do not recognize it as life.  Watch his video and decide for yourself.

Day 51 PD Day

This was a PD day for teachers so, I guess, a work day for students like you!  See you Monday.

Day 45 - 50 Working on Philosophy

We spent this time doing Philosophy work which was very productive indeed.  With Mid-Term Reports going out this week it was good to get most of your work in for marking.  Having this time together in class to complete work has been a good way to connect as you work - I have had so many excellent questions and was able to clarify a number of points as you worked.  Well done everyone.  Back to new Epistemology thinking on Monday.

DAYS 40 - 44 (April 12 - 18)

You all did a marvellous job getting going on Epistemology in my absence, so thank you for that.  Madelle, who was ill for the first three days, reported that you were a wonderful group to work with and that those present (most of you) really got into the Epistemology work.

It was helpful to have a few days to get caught up with me so that's what we have done for the past few days.  We watched Wag the Dog and we started on the Wag the Dog Project.

Day 37: What I know to be true

 1.  13 x 4 = 28
2.  Complete lecture from yesterday.  Can anyone play the uke yet?
3.  Wag the Dog: Assignment
4.  Film

Day 36: Epistemology Vocabulary

1.  Intro presentation: What is Knowledge?
2.  Lecture: Kinds of Knowledge

• Direct
• Indirect
• By acquaintance
• By description
• Competence
• Propositional

Day 35: Knowledge: An introduction to Epistemology

1.  Two truths and a lie.

• write three sentences on a piece of paper.  Two must be truthful statements about yourself.  One must be a lie.  No names.

ex:      I broke my arm while learning to ski.
          I worked for two summers at a Muskoka resort.
          I translated some government documents during a high profile murder trial.

• I will collect them and then hand them out randomly.  Circle the statement you feel is a lie.  Write the name of the person you believe wrote these statements.  (x 2)

1b) What are the lies?  How do you KNOW?

2.  What the ...?????
2b) What is the emotion/event?  How do you KNOW?

3.  In groups: write down 3 things you know for certain.  Explain how you know them for certain.  Don't say you know nothing for certain ... you do!
3b)  Three minute philosophy: Descartes


4.  Review: Parking lot: please write down one question/theory/philosopher you didn't understand this week and post it to the parking lot.  I will use these questions to teach on Tuesday.