Practical Philosophy, Monday

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There weren't just sandwiches out on the lawn today - there were sausage rolls too, and doughnuts, and bagels, and cake; Ender had put out a picnic blanket for the occasion, as well as a large standing umbrella that could be moved in if the rain kicked in.

And then there was the red kitten constantly trying to leap out of Ender's lap.

"I'm not particularly interested in having finals," Ender said. "They've always seemed fairly arbitrary to me. Instead, I'd like to keep fostering debate. But I'll throw the initiative to all of you this time. No topics, no pithy wise phrases to kick this off. Come up with an issue you feel is worthy of this class and throw it into the group. You're peers, whether you're aware of it or not: you can learn from each other as well as you can from me."

Comments

Before Class

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Settle in, relax.

Sign In

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Philosophically.

Re: Sign In

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

Cassidy

Re: Sign In

[genesishero]

Evan Sabahnur

Re: Sign In

[pulseof_life]

Paddra Nsu-Yeul

Re: Sign In

[justbeingbay]

Bay Kennish

Re: Sign In

[reven8e.livejournal.com]

Emily Thorne

Group Discussion

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Everyone throws an idea, a question or a statement into the group. The others should then respond and begin a dialogue.

Ender will engage as well, of course.

Group Discussion - Talk

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Where talking goes.

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

[genesishero]

Evan kind of sat on it for a little while, afraid that if he were to speak up and say it, people were going to think he was sucking up to the teacher or something. And then, after a minute of that, he gave in. Who cared what other people were going to think? People... people were going to think whatever they wanted, anyhow, and there wasn't anything he could do to change that.

"I just want to say thank you for this class," he said, and then bit his lip for a second before continuing. "I mean... It wasn't some big academic thing, no, but it was good to be able to sit down in a group and talk about things, and feel like all of our opinions and ideas and worries were listened to and respected."

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

[endsthegame]

"I'm glad to hear it," Ender said, his tone sincere. "If I had shown any of your thoughts disrespect, I'd hope you'd have called me on it."

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

[genesishero]

"I probably would have tried," Evan replied, smiling faintly. "But it wasn't just you, either. Everyone I talked to in this class was pretty great for that. I mean, we didn't all share everything, and not everyone participated in every conversation and that's fine. But even if there were things that people disagreed with, everyone was really good about making thoughtful arguments about things. Nobody just flat-out disregarded anyone's opinion out of hand. Or, if they did, they at least kept it to themselves."

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad you never graded us on what we thought--or even how we thought," Sholeh confessed. "It made it easier to talk, because there was never an answer that you wanted to hear."

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

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Ender's mouth quirked briefly. "If you ask for an answer you already want to hear, you're not really asking anything," he said.

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

[3girls-1core.livejournal.com]

"That doesn't stop most people," Sholeh pointed out.

For her, this was Greatly Daring.

Group Discussion - Don't Talk

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Listen. Eat.

Re: Group Discussion - Don't Talk

[reven8e.livejournal.com]

Emily was listening. Well kinda. With the way things were going back home she was more interested on leaving again, but she hadn't spent all the time she had with Takeda without receiving one too many lectures about patience.

It didn't mean she had to share a thing.

Talk to the TA

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When she pings in.

Re: Talk to the TA

[pulseof_life]

Yeul was here and smiling faintly.

Talk to the Teacher

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If you wish to speak to Ender after class instead of during.

Re: Talk to the Teacher

[reven8e.livejournal.com]

At the end of the class, Emily came by.

"So," she said. "We never talked."

Re: Talk to the Teacher

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"Oh, we've talked plenty," Ender said with an easy smile. "But I don't think that's what you're getting at."

Re: Talk to the Teacher

[reven8e.livejournal.com]

"Well, we have indeed," Emily conceded. "I still would like to have your input in some subjects though, if you are up to it."

Re: Talk to the Teacher

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"Of course. Fire away," Ender replied, leaning forward to give her his full attention.

OOC

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