Philosophy

[aintnothang]

I'm in a Philosophy class, I'm sooo lost. The prof. asked us to write an essay about why we are taking the class. I can't write about taking it for credits and such. I was thinking maybe writing about how I could approach things differently if I took it. Any ideas?

[Airbozo]

The correct answer would be:

"Why not?"


lol

[d_stilgar]

Did the professor say you can't say that you are just taking it for credits or to fill your schedule, or do you just think that it is bad form? I'll usually just be honest if I am taking a class because it is required or just as a filler, but then expand. What would you like to learn about philosophy? Even if you have no particular interest in it, it doesn't mean that you don't have questions or curiosities about it. Write about that.

[aintnothang]

He said we couldn't talk about taking it for credits.

[blueonblack]

That seems self-defeating. "Tell me why you're taking this class but don't tell me why you're REALLY taking this class." In other words, "Lie to me."

???

I can see why you're stuck.

[Mark_Hardware]

Ask him how does he know that you are really there taking it? How does he know any of you are really there? Perhaps none of us are really here, in fact it is only an illsusion, and only your consciousness is present. In other words your mind is all that exists and it is fooled into believing you are physically there. here, reference this video;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqnEGu8VF8Y

[OvRiDe]

I would say something along the lines of.. I am in the class because it is required material for my degree plan, and that I understand that no matter what field of study is involved, a certain degree of philosophy will be involved. The more understanding of philosophy I have, the better equipped I will be to handle those situations.

I am with d_stilgar and BoB.. Don't give me an assignment and tell me not to tell you what you ask for and instead tell me what you want to hear.

[Kayin]

I has a degree in this.

I would take the existential tack, and go at it from why do we do anything...

Or we could emulate Diogenes the Cynic, who when caught masturbating in the marketplace, asked why he couldn't rub his belly and feel full. Why can't I take the class and just get my credit?

Bonus points if you can tack on his reference to the Aristotelian man.

Wiki it if you're lost, the story is hilarious.