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.
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.
Third 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 freason? 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 due on Friday at the begining of class. This should be your web page and a hard copy should be handed in with the weekly test.
Give a real example of each of "the five common thinking errors." These must come from recent news, from history or from literature. You must cite your source for each. It'd be even better if you'd cite and link each source.
Write a short story illustrating the "five steps to critical thinking." Identify each with an endnote explanation.
Cite a literary or cinema character whose story illustrates well the "process of knowing." Identify each with an endnote explanation.
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.
10 point journal This should be your web page and a hard copy should be handed in with the weekly test. Four parts, rubric grading: 1) One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the topic of the week. 2) List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this section. Explain in a clear and complete manner. Explain in a way that someone reading would be able to know and understand the ideas appreciate its worth. And make it clear why this might be good for your personally to remember. 3) One image of that reminds you of the topic. Attribute, link, your source. 4) Either do the regular fourth part: a "real question" you ahve from this section OR you assign yourself this last part. Give yourself a question to answer or a task to do that will help your refelct upon and review key ideas of this section.
Let me, and your classmates, know if there is anything missed on this review.
