PACTISS – Philosophers and Critical Thinkers in Senior Schools: Resources for Educators

Author: Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor at George Washington University An essay about the difficulty of forgetting & re-invention in the age of the Internet, Facebook, etc. Excerpt: We’ve known for years that the Web allows for unprecedented voyeurism, exhibitionism and inadvertent indiscretion, but we are only beginning to understand the costs of an age in which so much of what we say, and of what others say about us, goes into our permanent — and public — digital files. Continue reading →

Q: Is it illiberal for governments to ban practices judged to be illiberal, as the French government is doing with its intended ban on the burka?

AskThePhilosopher 01May2010 Burka ban a headache for a liberal society (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Q: Is it disloyal to criticise aspects of Anzac Day because you believe it involves myth and ritualised militarism?

AskThePhilosopher 24Apr2010 Pride in the past isnt necessarily a lost cause (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Q: If we believe that nation-states should be sovereign, what role should notions of universal human rights play in refugee policies?

AskThePhilosopher 17Apr2010 Land of the fair go (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Q: What is the difference between being a renaissance man and a dilettante?

AskThePhilosopher 10Apr2010 The quest for Renaissance man (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Q: In which circumstances can our notions of justice accommodate trials by media?

Ask The Philosopher 03Apr2010 When media become dispensers of justice (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Belgian MPs are set to pass a law to ban the burka & nikab (full body and full face coverings). Women who defy the ban will be fined or jailed. Suggested discussion topics: – What are the different ‘-isms’ at play with this particular law or trend in Europe? To start you off, here are two -isms: secularism & fundamentalism. – WHY are these ‘-isms’ in conflict? Is there a way of reconciling the different demands of these particular ‘-isms’ or philosophies? Why or why not? – What are the consequences of this particular ban in Belgium? Of the continuing trend in Europe against the outwards signs of the Islamic faith? Are there any ‘unintended consequences’? – Is there a better or different way of addressing these issues? – What can Australia learn from what is happening in Europe? Is it possible that Australia (or another country) has something to teach Europe about this? – Find interviews or media articles which articulate views DEFENDING the veil/burka as well as those that are AGAINST. – Draft a letter to the PM or the Minister for Women’s Interests SUPPORTING the Belgian stance as well as a letter which OPPOSE the Belgian stance and decide on your arguments. – “Today it is the full-face veil, tomorrow the veil, the day after it will be Sikh turbans and then perhaps it will be mini-skirts,” she said. Find other items that might be included in this quote. DISCUSS.

Belgium to ban veil (doc)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Q: Have we become accustomed to thinking of political greatness as involving moments of symbolism rather than as involving reform achievements? Ask the Philosopher, The Australian, 27 Mar 2010. ‘. . .the ultimate test of greatness is to be able to show courage and strength in the face of adversity, to be able to show good judgment and to deliver meaningful and lasting change.’

Ask the Philosopher 2010 Mar27 On the cusp of greatness (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Q: Is an acknowledgment of traditional ownership by public officials tokenistic political correctness or a genuine effort to achieve reconciliation with Aboriginal Australians? From: A nod to traditional owners, The (Weekend) Australian, 20 March 2010, Tim Soutphommasane mentions this ritual acknowledgement as an example of Aristotle’s ethics by doing.

Ask the Philosopher 2010 Mar20 Nod to traditional owners (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)

Three essays in response to France’s ban on women wearing veils and other full body coverings in secular spaces. Two of the essays are written by women; the other by a political writer (Greg Sheridan). Themes: Secularism, nationalism, identity politics, feminism, individualism, censorship Possible questions: *What – if any – rights does a government have to do as France did? *What are the consequences, negative, positive or neutral? *How helpful or unhelpful will this be to the women who are affected by this? *Who benefits from this ruling? Why or how? *What ‘stance’ or position does each essay writer take? Can we determine their personal opinions/beliefs about this issue from their essays? *If you were the PM of Australia or the Minister for Women’s Interests, how would you go about dealing with this issue in Australia?

France – the Veil (docx)

(Uploaded by Katherine Cheng.)