Month: September 2021

Welcome to my bud hole! Today’s topics: ethical consumerism, authenticity, and the self.

This week marks our second week back with the Strange Philosophy Thing! It also marks our first week back in the Strange Lounge in Main Hall. Join us this Monday, 9/27, in the Strange Lounge from 4:30 to 5:30pm to discuss episodes 2 through 4 of “The Good Place” (with particular emphasis on episodes 3 and 4). These episodes are available on Netflix, along with the rest of the series. They are also on reserve in the Mudd Library under “Philosophy Strange Thing”, abbreviation “PHILStrange”. This week, we will discuss the following issues, among others.

Is it worth avoiding certain products for ethical reasons given that it is reasonable to assume that one will end up supporting unethical production practices no matter how hard one tries to avoid doing so? Eleanor seems to think not in episode 3. How might we reply?

Episode 4 is all about knowing yourself and being yourself. Are those things important for living a good life?

Also, what is the self? Are there things (persons), over and above various sets of memories, sensory experiences, etc., that serve to unify them? Or are the various memories, experiences, etc., the person? If the latter, what unifies those memories, experiences, etc.–what makes these ones form a bundle and those ones form a different bundle? Is it just accidental that these ones over here where I’m sitting are “together”, while those ones over there where you’re sitting are “together”?

Feel free to bring questions/comments that have occurred to you about these episodes as well! Looking forward to seeing you! And don’t hesitate to spread the word if you have a friend who is a fan of either “The Good Place” or philosophy! 

Who died and left Aristotle in charge of ethics? (S1E3)

This year, we’re going to have a series of philosophical conversations around the NBC show “The Good Place”. September 20th we will get started with a discussion of episode one, “Everything is Fine,” and an introduction to the series. This episode is available on Netflix, along with the rest of the series, or on reserve in the Mudd Library under “Philosophy Strange Thing,” abbreviation “PHILStrange.”

You can see the first few minutes of the episode here:  https://youtu.be/QcCHLfVdhXg.

Discussion questions: Is infinite reward (or punishment) for finite, Earthly actions just? Are soulmates real? Will Eleanor be able to earn her place in the good place posthumously? We will consider these and more questions tomorrow! 

Please note that, for now, we will be meeting in Main Hall 105, rather than the Strange Lounge.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow! Consider bringing a friend who’s interested in philosophy!