Consciousness, morality, meaning, metaphysics, critique — Peripatetic Philosophy

Last week we discussed Aristotle’s metaphysics, Kant’s reasoning about mathematics and space, and Husserl’s phenomenology. We read about moral realism, psychologism, human rights, and debates over doing versus allowing harm. Wittgenstein’s reflections on language framed questions of conceptual limits, while Foot, Thomson, and Singer pressed on abortion, obligation, and global poverty. Nozick’s experience machine and reflections on life’s meaning sat alongside Lacan’s psychoanalysis, Ricoeur’s metaphor, and Gellner’s critique of linguistic philosophy. Themes included consciousness and self-consciousness, from artificial consciousness to blindsight, and disputes between analytic and continental traditions, from Frege and Dummett to German Idealism and its heirs.

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Each of us has his or her own philosophical history and journey, and during these walks, we introduce each other to our recent questions and reflections. There is no assigned reading, no required text. Bring your own recommendations, or see what has been recommended by others before.

We gather at Flywheel Coffee, near Stanyan and Page. At 11:15am we begin a hike through Golden Gate Park and return to Flywheel by 1:00pm. During the walk, we'll discuss your philosophical topics, whatever they may be.

In this dropbox folder you'll find texts and videos that have been discussed on previous occasions. You'll also find a list of recommended texts, if you are new to philosophy.