Department: Philosophy and Humanist Research

Major: Dialectical Studies

A close brother of debate, classical dialectic discourse is realized in a series of points and counterpoints made between one or more participants in a group discussion. While debate; however, seeks primarily to refute the point of the opposition (and so show one's own point true), dialectic can have a more subtle and hopeful aim as well. This is to gain some new third point or direction of thought through compromise, refinement, and discovery within the initial points. Or perhaps it will be some altogether new third point. In essence the ask and answer, back and forth nature of the discussion seeks to hone the opposing viewpoints into a single melded outcome or direction for further discussion.

In modern times, the term has taken on a much broader meaning and is commonly applied to a number of different ideas. Of course, if you read the first paragraph then you should have seen that coming. I mean, anything designed to produce new ideas will eventually have its own idea changed or it is not functioning properly. That's my point. How do you respond?

Course: How to Contradict Oneself

In this course we will unfold and discover different ways for you to argue with yourself. So you can be part of the right answer no matter what you have stated. We will discuss how this is used by politicians all over the world. This course will also help you uncover great ways for students to contradict professors and their teachings.

A third of the grade will be based upon a final project where the student will be asked to give a series of three political speeches and then make compelling arguments that he or she supported completely opposite viewpoints fully.

Course: Absurdism

Throughout the semester we will discuss how efforts of humanity to find meaning in the universe will ultimately fail as there is no meaning to be found; and so, how absurd it is to try. So after the first class we will mainly discuss how to get over being depressed about the situation. This course requires Existentialism as a prerequisite because you must know the meaning of life to be involved in discussions about Absurdism. Where, we will ultimately show that any meaning to life is an impossibility. (Although it is already accepted and stipulated that the answer to life, the universe, and everything is, in fact, 42.)