Course Preview: PHIL 295 Major Author: Heidegger

What is the meaning of being?

Astonishingly, the great philosopher Martin Heidegger argued that we have not ever even posed the question of the meaning of being. At least not in any radical way. So he set out to pose this question with all philosophical radicality, and not take its answer for granted any more. And his Sein und Zeit--Being and Time--is his first report back from his investigations. It stands as one of the truly monumental works of 20th century philosophy, and has exerted a contemporary influence wider than almost any other single text.

This spring we have the unique opportunity to offer a Major Author's course on Martin Heidegger, in which Being and Time will be the primary focus. A close reading course, Prof. Aron Reppmann will be your guide on this amazing journey. Heidegger's influence has been decisive upon contemporary Continental philosophy, upon theology and upon so-called postmodernism in the arts and culture in general. Any student interested in these issues will profit from this course.

PHIL 295 will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 AM.

Course Preview: PHIL 321 Existentialism and Phenomenology

Why is there something, rather than nothing?

What is the meaning of human existence?

After the excesses of modern rationalism and scientism, is there a meaning to be found? Can we recover a sense of the meaning of existence? Can we get back to the bedrock, the things themselves?

These questions motivated the movements of existentialism and phenomenology, the most profound influential tradition of contemporary Continental philosophy. They influenced so-called post-modern thinking in profound ways as well. The course will survey the writings of existential thinkers such as Kierkegaard (that's him in the picture!) as well as the phenomenological movement of Husserl and Heidegger.

Prof. Pierson teaches this course and has a great personal passion for these issues. His graduate work was in the philosophy of this period. He brings a keen sense of the Christian dimension to philosophical inquiry in this field, especially for the way that the Continental tradition has shaped the Reformational philosophical tradition that helped found Trinity.

Join him Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11AM.

PHIL 102 and 102 (or 108) are prerequisites for this course.

Course Preview: PHIL 201 History of Philosophy I

From Thales to Democritus, from Socrates and Plato to Aristotle, from the Stoics to the neo-Platonists, and from St. Augustine (on the right) to St. Anselm and St. Thomas: PHIL 201 is an encounter with the figures and texts that have shaped our culture. It begins with the ancient Greeks and culminates in the Medieval synthesis of Christian faith and reason. This is an excellent course for anyone with a curiousity about the great ancient worldviews that helped shape Christian thought.

Prof. Aron Reppmann, an expert in the philosophy of Plato, teaches this course. He's passionate about Plato and the Platonic tradition, and will help you explore the riches of our ancient past. For him, as well as the ancients, philosophy is truly a love of wisdom.

Join Prof. Reppmann at 9AM MWF this spring!

(No prior background in philosophy is necessary, though PHIL 101 and 102 (or 108) are recommended.)

NEW in Spring 2007: Philosophical Theology (PHIL/THEO 311)

Alvin Plantinga,
Philosophical Theologian Extraordinaire

Ever wonder how evil and the goodness of God are compatible? How God responds to evil? And we should, too?

Ever wonder why we are free if God knows everything in advance, including what you are doing right this very instant? If you could never have chosen otherwise than God knows, are you really free?

Ever wonder about the mysterious nature of God? Of His being three-in-one? Being both human and divine in the incarnation of Jesus Christ?

These questions and more are all on the agenda in Philosophical Theology, a new course this spring taught by Prof. Stephen Lake, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 o'clock.

If you have completed PHIL 101 and 102, you are elligible to enroll.

If you are planning on seminary or graduate school in theology or philosophy, this course will be indispensible preparation.

Cross-listed in both Philosophy and Theology, it can count towards major, minor or elective credit in either department.

Any other questions? Please see Prof. Lake, or post your questions here and I will respond!

Questioners of the World Unite!

Do you have any lingering, unanswered questions from a class, or from a conversation with a friend, that you would like to explore with others in a non-threatening environment?

Then Philosophy Club might just be for you.

Recently, we've been pondering these issues:

Ever wonder what was so enlightening about the Enlightenment? Or what was so disenchanting? Why is the Enlightenment such a big deal for Christian faith? Or is it, really?

Sound like your kind of 'phun'?

Then check out the Philosophy Club!

It is a friendly meeting place for the preternaturally curious.

We meet every Monday at 10 AM in the Curriculum Center of the library.

For more info, just show up or contact Whitney Stafford at her Trinity address or contact any of the philosophy professors.

Philosophy Film Night! Wednesday, 25 October

Join the philosophy department for pizza and a movie next Wednesday night, 25 October. Let go of the stress of midterms and watch with us Wim Wenders's existential classic, "Wings of Desire".

There are angels in the streets of Berlin, Germany, listening in on the thoughts and following the lives of people, young and old, as they go through their daily routine. They are there for every tear, every smile, for moments of desperation and moments of exhileration. They eavesdrop on human existence.


But what if an angel could lose his wings and become a human? Could experience love and pain, fear and joy, just like the rest of us? The angel Damiel might just get his wish.

A visually stunning film, "Wings of Desire" is a thought-provoking meditation on what it means to be human. We will watch the film and afterwards explore its meaning and message.

It all begins at Prof. George Pierson's home at 6:30 PM, Wednesday, 25 October. We will arrange transportation. Food and drinks are compliments of the Philosophy Department!

Anyone with an interest in philosophy or this film is welcome to join us. Yes, we do mean ANYONE.

Please contact Prof. Stephen Lake (x4518) or e-mail him at his Trinity address to let us know if you intend to come. Details about transportation will be available here and on Trollview next week.

Opinions?

What do you think about Trollosophy?

Go ahead and post your views. Anonymous is fine. And don't worry about the comment approval process. Any and all comments are approved automatically, so long as they are in good taste. Or else. . .

NEW This Fall! PHIL 310 Reformational Philosophy

Ever wanted to know more about why Christian worldview is such a big deal at Trinity?

Would you like to be able to impress your friends and family by being able to pronounce "Dooyeweerd" easily?

Would you be interested in getting to know one of the most original Christian philosophical traditions so far--and better understand its influence at Trinity?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, it's not too late to sign up for PHL 310, Reformational Philosophy. This course will introduce you to the work of Abraham Kuyper, the great Dutch Christian scholar and statesman, and the philosophical movement known as neo-Calvinism. This worldview and philosophy was most fully articulated by the late Herman Dooyeweerd and continues to generate rich insights in many areas from political thought to aesthetics to theology to epistemology and many other areas.

This is a seminar course and has a small enrollment so students can interact with the texts, one another and Dr. Pierson in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

Ethics After 9/11

How should Christians respond to the age of terrorism?

What, in particular, does Christian philosophy have to say about the ethical issues surrounding terrorism and counterterrorism?

We will explore these questions in an exciting topics course Thursday evenings this fall: PHIL 299 Ethics After 9/11. No philosophical or political science background necessary--just an interest in thinking carefully about these important ethical questions.

More specifically, we will address the following questions:

• What is Christian political philosophy all about? How does it--can it--speak to the 'war on terror'?
• What is terrorism?
• Is it ever justified?
• Can states be terrorists?
• Is pre-emptive warfare justified in countering terrorism?
• How far is too far in interrogating terror suspects?
• Where is boundary between the right to privacy and the need for information in terrorist surveilance?

The course will be taught by Prof. Stephen Lake, chairman of the philosophy department, whose expertise is in the areas of ethics and political philosophy. In particular, he has done extensive work applying Just War ethics to the issues of terrorism and counter-terrorism.

It is not too late to add this course. The first meeting is this Thursday, 31 August, at 6:30PM in CL 203.

For more information, Prof. Lake, or else show up the first meeting!

_____
Dr. Stephen Lake
Chairman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Trinity Christian College
6601 West College Drive
Palos Heights, IL 60463
708.293.4518
stephen.lake@trnty.edu
http://drlake.blogspot.com

-Isms, -Ists and Anti-Ism-Ists of the World Unite!

Ever wondered about all those –Isms and –Ists that the theorists are always theorizing about?

About rationalism? Idealism? Modernism?

About empiricists? Phenomenologists? Or God-fearing fideists?

Did you know that there exists a crazy breed—the Anti-ism-ist—otherwise known as the post-colonial, post-modernist?

Okay, enough of Dr. Seuss.

If you answer Yes to any of the above, PHIL 202 History of Philosophy II might just be for you. We are studying Descartes (the granddaddy of rationalism), Kant (idealism),and Hegel (modernism), or Hume the empiricist, Heidegger the phenomenologist or Kierkegaard the so-called fideist. We also help you better understand the raucous contemporary world, including post-colonial theorists such as Fanon or postmodern ones like Derrida and Foucault.

With a mix of lecture and seminar-style pedagogies, this course is accessible to any student with at least one prior course in philosophy (or with the commitment to working hard!).

It is not too late to add. Contact Prof. Lake or show up this Thursday at 2 o’clock in CL 205.

_____
Dr. Stephen Lake
Chairman, Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Trinity Christian College
6601 West College Drive
Palos Heights, IL 60463
708.293.4518
stephen.lake@trnty.edu
http://drlake.blogspot.com

Welcome!

Welcome to Trollosophy, the Trinity Christian College Philosophy Department's blog!

Look for lots of helpful information to appear on these pages relating to courses, the philosophy club, special events and the like. We'll even host on-line discussions here. Feel free to post your comments here and give us feedback. We're very open to ideas of how to make this a friendly and informative place for Trinity Christian College philosophy students.

Once again, welcome. Glad to have you here!