While these are good reviews, they are always in the process of change.
Three good quotes from Dumbledore from the Hary Potter series:
As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all - the trouble is, humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them.
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.
Recommended web site: Darwin Awards Commemorating those individuals who ensure the long term survival of our species by removing themselves from the gene pool is a sublimely idiotic fashion. A testimony to the imortance of reason and clear thinking.
Fourth Part of Junior Faith: Reason
Content asssigned: Most of section in Readings Book, one of four articles from the Popular Culture and Philosophy series, class lectures and handouts on "Aristotle's Theory of Happiness" and "How the Mind Works."
Prior important question: What is the difference between between fact, opinion, and belief? What do these have to do with reason? With faith?
What is theology? Who is the greatest theologian in the history of the Church and how did he describe theology? List at least four different fields of theological study.
What is philosophy? What are some major, recurring philosophical questions? How does a philosopher look for truth? Why is G.K. Chesterton a good example of the philosophical method? List some of the different kinds of philosophical study.
Which famous philosphical question does the reading devote a section? This is a major theme of this course, and will be for your next two years of theolgy. For all of us, this is a life-long challenge.
List what the text offers as "three types of knowing." Give a concrete example of each from the reading. Be able to offer examples of this from your life. What is the "greatest obstacle to knowledge from authority?" Do you agree? Why is an open mind a terrible risk?
List and explain the "five common thinking errors from the text." Give an example of each from your experience.
List and explain the "five steps to critical thinking."
List and explain what the text offers as the "process of knowing."
What does it mean to be "intellectually humble"?
Know Aristotle's most basic ideas of living a good life.
Know some basic ideas about how the mind works.
Words you should know: apologetics, Doctor of the Church, Tradition, epistemology, experiential knowledge, empirical knowledge, authority, knowledge from authority, reason, induction, deduction, non-sequiturs, false or vague premises, ad hominem, begging the question, red herrings, ignorance, culpable ignorance, conscience, encyclical, herd need, Magisterium, ecumenism.
Also know: conscious, unconscious, subliminal, and other key words from the "How Your Mind Works" handout.
Web assignment for the the section on "Reason." Do ONE of these options. This should be your web page and a hard copy should be handed in with the weekly test. You can always contract, or you can do one of hte extra credit assignments for your section assignment. If you choose either, please get it approved first.
Build a study sheet for one of these key topics:
Three Types of Knowing
Five Common Thinking Errors
The Five Steps to Critical Thinking
The Process of Knowiing
Create a web site that can used for all juniors so they better know and understand these ideals. List and explain the content but make it come alive with something else (other than the text) that describes or illustrates each key idea. Make sure you embed good, rich, sophisticated links. Add sources for deeper information at the end.
Cite a literary or cinema character whose story illustrates well the "process of knowing" and importance. Identify each stage with an endnote explanation.
Watch one of these videos and note instances of key ideas in this section:
Twelve Angry Men | Thank You for Smoking | Buying theWar
Remember that you can contract with me if you have think you have a better assignment that will help you better know and understand the material covered. I love new ideas.
