Tyler Durden (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tyler_gone) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2010-01-03 10:59 pm
tyler_gone) wrote in fandomhigh2010-01-03 10:59 pm
Entry tags:
Build Your Own Philosophy, 1/4/10, Period 2
The chalkboard at the front of the classroom today had a sentence written on it for the students to ponder as they took their seats.
All is water -- Thales of Miletus
"That statement," Tyler said as he waltzed in front of the students, "is where philosophy started, way back in the sixth century B.C. Thales is the first person whose writing has come down to us who we consider a philosopher, meaning he thought about the world and how it worked outside an entirely religious context."
He was pacing as he continued to talk. "What we want to do in this class is exactly that. Be philosophers. Make sense of the world. I know, I'm supposed to be the guy who blows stuff up and makes people fight each other -- but that isn't just because I'm a jerk." Not that he was denying that he was a jerk. "It's because the way I understand the world is by looking at the abyss. Looking at destruction. You can think I'm right, or wrong, or crazy -- I'll be happy to talk it through. But by the end of the term, after we've talked about a different philosopher every week, I want all of you to be able to tell me how you see the world, in 50 words or less."
Gesturing to the board, Tyler added, "Now, after Thales said everything was water -- transitory, insubstantial -- other people started talking back. Anaximander said it was all apeiron, which basically means there's an infinite basic mass that never goes away. Scientifically speaking he was right, as it happens, more or less. Anaximenes said everything was air -- that water was just another form of air. And Hericlitus? He was my kind of guy. He said it was all fire."
"Your assignment this week is to take a few minutes to think about it, and then stand up and tell us your name, one interesting thing about you, and how you'd finish the sentence 'All is ________.'" He gave a slight smile to Ino at the last bitassuming she was there. See, he could vary his opening-day spiel.
"Think now. When you're done, we start with you," he said, pointing randomly. "Oh, and I haven't set up TAs yet. If you're up for it, come see me after class."
"That statement," Tyler said as he waltzed in front of the students, "is where philosophy started, way back in the sixth century B.C. Thales is the first person whose writing has come down to us who we consider a philosopher, meaning he thought about the world and how it worked outside an entirely religious context."
He was pacing as he continued to talk. "What we want to do in this class is exactly that. Be philosophers. Make sense of the world. I know, I'm supposed to be the guy who blows stuff up and makes people fight each other -- but that isn't just because I'm a jerk." Not that he was denying that he was a jerk. "It's because the way I understand the world is by looking at the abyss. Looking at destruction. You can think I'm right, or wrong, or crazy -- I'll be happy to talk it through. But by the end of the term, after we've talked about a different philosopher every week, I want all of you to be able to tell me how you see the world, in 50 words or less."
Gesturing to the board, Tyler added, "Now, after Thales said everything was water -- transitory, insubstantial -- other people started talking back. Anaximander said it was all apeiron, which basically means there's an infinite basic mass that never goes away. Scientifically speaking he was right, as it happens, more or less. Anaximenes said everything was air -- that water was just another form of air. And Hericlitus? He was my kind of guy. He said it was all fire."
"Your assignment this week is to take a few minutes to think about it, and then stand up and tell us your name, one interesting thing about you, and how you'd finish the sentence 'All is ________.'" He gave a slight smile to Ino at the last bit
"Think now. When you're done, we start with you," he said, pointing randomly. "Oh, and I haven't set up TAs yet. If you're up for it, come see me after class."
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Heal pain? the note read. What sort of pain--if you don't mind me asking?
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Physical pain I get--I can heal that much myself, but emotional pain? Ain't that complicated?
Re: Introductions [1/04]
I am able to take that pain -- such as fear or sorrow or rage -- into myself and dispel it. If the source remains it will return, but it may allow someone to begin a healing process on their own.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Sounds useful for helping others, she wrote, though maybe I’m just confused about how well that turns out for you? Sounded painful, from her hazy understanding of it.
Another flower, this one a quick but detailed sketch of a lily, and Ino figured that the question was good enough. She flicked the note back to Raven, keeping an eye out for Tyl—Mr. Durden, and glad her shields were up today and anything Raven picked up off of her was going to be muted.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Just automatic.
And it doesn't affect you? Not meaning to pry, sorry. You don't have to answer if you don't want to.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Well, usually.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Ino wasn't sure the logic to that was sound, but maybe Raven had a high tolerance or something to it.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Fleeting discomfort for myself is nothing compared to the joy of healing another. It is a price I am willing to pay.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
No--that makes sense. I don't see nothing wrong with it if you're willing to pay it and know your own limits.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Yet. Give her time. But for now, it was a point of pride.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Re: Introductions [1/04]
Yes, you are right, we should be paying attention. But I would be happy to speak to you of my gifts later.
Re: Introductions [1/04]
That'd be awesome! her note enthused. Thank you!