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Practical Philosophy, Monday

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."

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Settle in, relax.

Philosophically.

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.

When she pings in.

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

Edited 2013-06-24 10:22 (UTC)

Cassidy

Evan Sabahnur

Paddra Nsu-Yeul

Yeul was here and smiling faintly.

Bay Kennish

Where talking goes.

Listen. Eat.

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."

"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."

"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."

Ender cast the entire group a quick smile at that one - even if it was interrupted by the quick lean forward he had to make to grab Ben before he leaped away.

"I think you've all earned the food today," he agreed. "You've been a very open and thoughtful group. You included, Evan."

Evan gave his shoulders a little shrug, giving a smile at the kitten who was trying to make a bid for freedom.

"I just had questions I hoped somebody could answer," he replied. "And I didn't get all of the answers I wanted here, but I did get a lot of really useful advice. And sometimes... things just get easier to take, if you talk about them."

"Is there anything you wish we would've talked about more?" Ender asked.

He smoothed his fingers over the kitten's head, scratching him behind the ears - partly a bid to get him to stay put.

"I don't know," Evan admitted. "A lot of it is stuff that I'm still not going to shout off the rooftops or anything. And the other weekend left me with more questions than answers, too. But I think I'm starting to figure out the differences between some of what I was told my whole life, and the way things actually are. I kind of... feel like maybe the world has the potential to actually make sense. I just have to keep digging for it."

Emily Thorne

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.

At the end of the class, Emily came by.

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

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

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

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Practical Philosophy, Monday

Before Class

Sign In

Group Discussion

Talk to the TA

Talk to the Teacher

OOC

Re: Sign In

Re: Sign In

Re: Sign In

Re: Talk to the TA

Re: Sign In

Group Discussion - Talk

Group Discussion - Don't Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Group Discussion - Talk

Re: Sign In

Re: Group Discussion - Don't Talk

Re: Talk to the Teacher

Re: Talk to the Teacher

Re: Talk to the Teacher