If you’re interested in thinking deeper about your favorite television shows and movies and discussing literature and history in a philosophical context, then the Phi Sig Tau Philosophical Society might be for you.
The club is a chapter of Phi Sig Tau, a Philosophical honors society for college students, which was founded at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 1955 and currently has 228 active chapters.
“The purpose [of the club] is to allow students that meet a high standard to have a venue to meet and engage with one another in a philosophical manner,” head of the American University chapter and senior Robert Masiello said. That standard is currently a GPA of at least 3.7, “though it’s soon to be changed to 3.5,” Masiello added, plus having taken at least three courses in Philosophy. “However, we encourage all students to come to our ‘Tea Talks’”.
Tea Talks are meetings hosted by Masiello on a weekly or bi-weekly basis where students can eat cookies, drink tea and discuss any aspect of philosophy.
Phi Sig Tau has actually been on campus for three years now, first started by professor of Philosophy and Religion Andrea Tschemplik. Interest in the organization did not begin to generate on campus, however, until the Fall 2010 semester when Masiello decided to take action and host his “Tea Talks”.
“We’ve held open meetings and discussions in the past,”Tschemplik said, “but it wasn’t until this semester when Robert took control that the club really started to take off. It’d be nice if we could get more students to come, but the club is heading in the right direction.”
During meetings those in attendance plan future activities and can discuss and debate any philosophical issue. “Right now attendance at club events is about 20 to 30 people, about five or six of whom are Phi Sig Tau students,” Masiello said, “It would be great to get more attendance from students and faculty, so we’re thinking of ways to get more people interested.” He added that if the club continued to grow it would be very meaningful to him.
Those who do come to meetings seem to be the diehards, students who love philosophy and relish the opportunity to engage with other students in a philosophical manner.
Junior Ben Matek, one of the regular attendees said, “This club is a great opportunity to continue talking about philosophy outside of class. I think everyone thinks in a philosophical way, and having a place to open up and hear other people’s ideas is healthy I think. That’s why I love philosophy.”
Another member, Alex Beaton said, “The fact that there are no real answers appeals to me. It’s about theory. It’s about never settling for one system or method or model. It’s about constantly challenging what you believe.”
The plan for Phi Sig Tau’s future is to continue to bridge the gap between it and the student community. “Though Phi Sig Tau is more exclusive, the coffee hours I’ve been organizing are for everyone, whether they’re studying philosophy or economics,” said Masiello, “the goal is to have the most students interacting with each other as possible.”
So far the group has met five times this semester. At the first meeting they talked about their favorite philosophers. “I have a few favorites,” Matek said, “Nietzsche, for his wit and amazing writing, and Aristotle and Kant are two of my other favorites, probably of the top five smartest men who ever lived.”
Masiello’s favorite is Socrates. “He was the first, he was the model and no one has really done it quite as right as he did…if that sentence is not a complete contradiction.”
Discussions within the club are not limited to philosophers of old, however. They discuss current issues as well, from ethical issues pertaining to world events to the meaning behind television shows such as “Lost” and movies like The Matrix or Fight Club.
Phi Sig Tau held its last meeting of the semester on December 1st. It was hosted by School of International Service Professor Max Friedman, who gave a short lecture relating foreign policy to philosophy, and self-determinism on a global scale. Professor Friedman talked about modern foreign policy, and how it “is suffused by the language of the Enlightenment.” Scholars and policy makers argue over ideals of freedom, human rights, self-determination, sovereignty, and other abstract principles, while other important considerations, such as economic interests or geopolitical power, “seem to lurk beneath the surface”.
“The danger of rhetoric in political language,” Friedman continued, “is that it leads to a cycle of disillusionment when Americans do not follow through.”
“When historians look at the field of foreign relations we looks for the reasons why people made the decisions they made…they may not be philosophers, but they philosophize, and come to conclusions based on their philosophy. The faith installed in American culture,” Friedman continued, “that everything we do is right is certainly a part of [the problem]. It makes it hard for us to hear criticism about our country and it becomes easier to label those who criticize us as ignorant, as fascists.”
Professor Friedman posed questions to the group of ten or so people sitting around him throughout the discussion. Is it right for us to try to improve conditions in foreign countries when we have our own issues to face here? What’s the right thing to do when, after facilitating and promoting democracy, a leader is elected in another nation who we Americans don’t like? Club members responded and engaged in the discussion. “I think the problem lies in American egoism,” said Philosophy major Danielle Raso, “At some point we’re going to have to realize that our way isn’t the only way. If we want to facilitate self-determinism in other nations we need to take a step back.”
The discussion lasted about an hour, and Friedman thanked the small group of attendees for their time. And, as always, cookies and tea were served to all who came.
In addition to hosting meetings, Phi Sig Tau runs a philosophy paper competition every year. “We collect papers from students from any school and an editorial board reads and picks the best paper to be submitted to the Deans office to be added to the website.” The editorial board is made up of five to ten students who are selected based on interest and GPA.
The club currently receives its money from student activities, about $100 a semester, and is occasionally given extra funds from the philosophy department for specific events. Masiello and Tschemplik both said they would like to increase the budget in the future so they could hold more events, bring in speakers and have more food at the meetings. “Whatever attracts more people,” Masiello said.
“When I first brought Phi Sig Tau to campus three years ago,” Tschemplik said, “It was just an honorary title for students, and we still held the paper competition, but Robert’s work this semester to extend the philosophical discussion to the rest of the student population is inspiring. The more people who attend the better.”
Masiello is graduating next semester and is hoping someone will continue to lead the club when he is gone. “There is an advantage in this discipline that comes when you discuss the material frequently with your peers,” he said, “class time really doesn’t do enough. If we can spark a few conversations and help facilitate some meaningful relationships, and continue to do it every semester, we will have done a good job.”
(Masiello, right, Professor Max Friedman, center, and students continue discussion after the Tea Talk on December 1st)
No comments:
Post a Comment