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master.Past Club Events
A selection of past Philosophy Club events, including meetings, professors' presentations, guest speakers, multi-media extravaganzas (aka movie nights), from 2002 until the present.
Spring 2004 -- Spring 2003 -- Fall 2002 -- Spring 2002
Wednesday, 10 March
Spring 2004
Philsophy and Science
Led by club president Galil Gertner.
Wednesday, 21 April
Jurisprudence: The Realist-Formalist Dichotomy
Led by club treasurer Helen Chin.
Wednesday, 28 April
Wednesday, 12 May
Wittgenstein and Russell with Prof. Hausman.
Professor Hausman came and spoke about the philosophical relationship between these two philosophers. What he addressed is part of what he's working on while on sabatical for the '04-'05 academic year.
Immortality of the Soul Arguments with Adjunct Instructor James Snyder
An overview of underappreciated arguments in the Renaisance period for the soul's immortality , with some discussion of their place in the history of philosophy and use for contemporary philosohpy.
Wednesday, 19 May
Philosophy Department Honors Reception
Follow Link.
Spring 2003
February 5
Paternalism vs. Autonomy
An open discussion group exploring the conflict of personal freedom and
authoritative beneficence in ethical debates.
February 26
Presentation by Prof. Glenn Braddock
On the Unity of Consciousness and Antimaterialist Arguments
Talking about the idea of the unity of consciousness and how it has been used as an argument against materialism, both in the history of philosophy and in contemporary philosophy of mind.
Tuesday, March 11
7p.m.
"Star Trek: The Next Generation"
episode: Justice
Treating theories of justice involving utilitarianism and communitarianism, and more.
March 12
Humor and Laughter
What is funny to us? Why? What are the social, psychological, and philosophical underpinnings, if any, to the creation of humorous events and depictions.
April 2
Radical Philosophy
What is radical philosophy? What is the role of the radical philosopher? Is such a role relevant or important? Is change and action best left to some one else, and if so to whom? Is the philosopher's place in the academic world, contemplative and detached?
April 9
Discussion led by Prof. Omar Dahbour
"Just War Theory"
April 16
Metaphysical Realism vs. Idealism
Fall 2002
November October September
Tuesday, 12 November
217 HW (near Snack Bar)
5:30 - 9:00p
"Crimes & Misdemeanors"
1989, Woody Allen
Film & Discussion
Ophthalmologist Judah Rosenthal has had an affair with Dolores for several years, and now she threatens to ruin his life if he doesn't marry her. When his brother Jack suggests to have Dolores murdered, Judah is faced with a big moral dilemma : destruction of his life or murder. Meanwhile, documentary filmmaker Clifford Stern is trying to make a film of a philosophy professor, but instead he's commissioned to make a portrait of successful TV producer and brother-in-law Lester, who to Clifford represents everything that he despises.
Wednesday, 6 November
1:00 - 3:00p
505 THH
"Is Amorality Possible?"
An Open Discussion Group exploring different understandings of amorality and ethical systems, what it would look like to engage in action without moral principles or guidelines, and whether amoral action is possible. Come with your ideas, pick up some new ones. Refreshments will be served.
Wednesday, 30 October
1:00 - 3:00 p
505 THH
"Kirkland Speaks!"
Prof. Frank Kirkland, chair of the philosophy department, will address the Philosophy Club with some exciting news about Phi Beta Kappa guest lecturer Richard Bernstein (New School Univ.) for Spring '03, as well as course offerings for Spring '03.Wednesday, 23 October
1:00 - 4:00 p
217 HW
"Koyaanisqatsi"
1.5 Hour Film followed by Discussion Session.
"life out of balance"
directed by Geoffrey Reggio with original music by Philip Glass
The title is a Hopi Indian word meaning "life out of balance." Created between 1975 and 1982, the film is an apocalyptic vision of the collision of two different worlds -- urban life and technology versus the environment.
"KOYAANISQATSI attempts to reveal the beauty of the beast! We usually perceive our world, our way of living, as beautiful because there is nothing else to perceive. If one lives in this world, the globalized world of high technology, all one can see is one layer of commodity piled upon another. In our world the 'original' is the proliferation of the standardized. Copies are copies of copies. There seems to be no ability to see beyond, to see that we have encased ourselves in an artificial environment that has remarkably replaced the original, nature itself. We do not live with nature any longer; we live above it, off of it as it were. Nature has become the resource to keep this artificial or new nature alive." - Director Reggio.
Wednesday, 9 October
1:00 - 3:00p, 520 THH
Open Discussion Group
Topic T.B.A.
Wednesday, 2 October
1:00 - 3:00p, 520 THH
Major Modifications MeetingWe will be continuing our discussion of the proposed changes to the Philosophy Major.
Wednesday, 25 September
1:00 - 3:00p, 505 THH
Graduate School in Philosophy Presentation
Profs. Acampora and Press will be discussing aspects ofthe applications and admissions process in Ph.D. programs in Philosophy; majors considering this option are strongly encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, 18 September
"Philosophy of Language"
1:00 - 3:00p, 505 THH
What is the nature of language? What kinds of statements can be made, and how are they understood? How are we to account for alternative language systems like sign languages, ideal and artificial languages, or communication by animals?
Wednesday, 11 September
"Philosophical Systems"
1:00 - 3:00p
505 THH
Talking about different philosophical methodologies,
and how they treat the traditional branches of philosophy.
Open discussion group.
Spring 2002
Wednesday, 20 March
"Hobbes's Political Epistemology"
1:15pm, Mr. Michael Bray will be giving a presentation to the philosophy club about "Hobbes's Political Epistemology." Everyone is welcome (faculty included). Please come to room 505TH this Wednesday for this great presentation.
Wednesday, 27 March
Spring Break. Do not philosophize.
Wednesday, 3 April
Guest speaker,
Jonathan Hoover
New School University
"The Role of Nonsense in Philosophy."
505 THH
1:00 - 3:00p
Wednesday, 10 April
Nationalism and Identity
Discussing the voluntarism of nationalistic identity,
and how this may relate to linguistic,
economic, cultural, and ethnic identities.
521 THH
1:00 - 3:00p
(topic selected by club treasurer Greg Kwolek)
Wednesday, 17 April
Human Nature
We will discuss human nature and how it relates to philosophy.
Are we able to talk about human nature?
Where would talk about human nature fit into philosophy?
1:00 - 3:00p
505 THH
(topic selected by club member Christian Hogan)
Wednesday, 24 April
presentation and discussion
What's New in Philosophy at Hunter?
Prof. Frank Kirkland, chairperson, will be discussing matters
of vital interest to Hunter's philosophy students, especially majors.
Ample time will be provided for Q&A.
1:00 - 3:00p
505 THH
Wednesday, 8 May
discussion group
Accessibility and Philosophical Inquiry
Philosophy in the 20th century is largely associated
with formal,
academic study and not as a pursuit for "the masses."
What changes have encouraged the apparent isolation
and inaccessibility
of philosophical inquiry? How has this changed the way
philosophy is practiced?
What obligation should philosophers have to making their
ideas "accessible"?
(topic selected by club vice president Jillian Murray)
Wednesday, 15 May
discussion group
last meeting of Spring 2002
Wednesday, May 15, from 1:00 - 3:00p in room 505 THH.
We will be holding an open discussion group on a
topic to be decided upon by those in attendance.
Refreshments will be present in abundance.
Friday, 24 May
Student vs. Faculty Kickball Game!
in Central Park on Friday, May 24 at 2:00p
Consider this an end-of-the-year send-off and old fashioned
good time!
Finals will be over by the 24th, so your performance
is guaranteed not to affect your grades!
Come run around and kick a big red ball and have some
good laughs
with your fellow majors and professors. A good time
will be had by all.
Refreshments to be provided by the Philosophy Club.
We will meet in front of the Tau (big black sculpture)
in front of Hunter West
at 2:00p and walk to the park together. Please be on
time so you don't miss the procession.
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