Can a ten minute argument be a stuff for- what “the New Yorker” called“A terrific Book”? Yes, if the argument is between two great philosophers of the last century.David Edmonds and John Eidinow in their work Wittgenstein’s Poker , brings to light in a really interesting manner the in/famous ten minute confrontation between two great philosophers – Ludwig Wittgensteinand Karl Popper .
In 1946, Wittgenstein was working as a professor of Philosophy in Cambridge University and the Chairman of Moral Science Club- a weekly discussion group for the university philosophers and philosophy students. In the same year January , Karl Popper arrives in England as he was offered the readership in Logic and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics , London University .
The stage of confrontation is set, when Wittgenstein chaired Moral Science Club called upon Popper to present the paper “Are there Philosophical Problems?”. Popper started his paper by inviting the attention of the audience to the invitation of the secretary of Moral Science Club “…… a few opening remark, stating some puzzle….”.Popper’s argument is that philosophical problems are not really puzzles but genuine problems . Wittgenstein interrupted and at some point took up a poker and gesticulated rather freely. Disagreement on puzzle Vs problem drew to such a level that , Popper as an example for “moral principle “ gave a situation induced example-“one ought not threaten visiting lecturers with poker” . Wittgenstein left the meting the before the end of the session “slamming the door behind him”, ending a ten-minute long argument.
This book is not only a real exploration into history of Philosophy of the twentieth century but also provides a historical peek into Vienna - Birth place of the two philosophical juggernauts , postwar Cambridge University, and The black days of Nazis occupation of Austria . Authors also provides a detailed analysis of the philosophical statements of Wittgenstein and Popper underlining their position in the philosophical terrain of last century and centuries to come.
Monday, February 25, 2008
TEACHER'S WORLD
TEACHER'S WORLD
“You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” .
Romans II , 2:21
As a teacher this is my guiding principle. Before, I had the opportunity of learning the theoretical and practical side of the art of pedagogy. My main source of inspiration and introspection about this profession was manly such quotations, words my Gurus --“….teacher should not only teach the prescribed syllabus, but also essential lessons from the syllabus called ‘life’ ”.-Proff. Ninan -- and books of course. Regarding books I should mention at least three books at length. “The Art of Teaching” by Gilbert H and Autobiographical works of Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes and Teacher Man) .
Let me start with Franks works. It was from Reader’s Digest that I first came to Know about him . He was recollecting his first class as a teacher. This article led me to the knowledge that Frank was a teacher at Stuyvesant High School , New York was also the teacher of the year 1976. More than that he was catapulted to fame by winning the coveted Pulitzer Prize for his Autobiography Angela’s Ashes : A Memoir -recollection of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland -at the age of sixty-six . Frank McCourt was born in 1930 in Brooklyn , New York , to Irish immigrant parents, grew up in Limerick, Ireland and returned to America in 1949. For 30 years he taught in New York . Second installment of his autobiography is entitled ‘Tis dealing with his early years in New York . His third and probably the final installment- Teacher Man- of his autobiography is that matters me to a lot as a teacher. This work is all about his 30 years long teaching career. Frank traces the ups and downs, tests and accomplishments as a teacher of creative writing New York High Schools.
About “The Art of Teaching” by Gilbert H , sometimes later......
“You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” .
Romans II , 2:21
As a teacher this is my guiding principle. Before, I had the opportunity of learning the theoretical and practical side of the art of pedagogy. My main source of inspiration and introspection about this profession was manly such quotations, words my Gurus --“….teacher should not only teach the prescribed syllabus, but also essential lessons from the syllabus called ‘life’ ”.-Proff. Ninan -- and books of course. Regarding books I should mention at least three books at length. “The Art of Teaching” by Gilbert H and Autobiographical works of Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes and Teacher Man) .
Let me start with Franks works. It was from Reader’s Digest that I first came to Know about him . He was recollecting his first class as a teacher. This article led me to the knowledge that Frank was a teacher at Stuyvesant High School , New York was also the teacher of the year 1976. More than that he was catapulted to fame by winning the coveted Pulitzer Prize for his Autobiography Angela’s Ashes : A Memoir -recollection of his childhood in Limerick, Ireland -at the age of sixty-six . Frank McCourt was born in 1930 in Brooklyn , New York , to Irish immigrant parents, grew up in Limerick, Ireland and returned to America in 1949. For 30 years he taught in New York . Second installment of his autobiography is entitled ‘Tis dealing with his early years in New York . His third and probably the final installment- Teacher Man- of his autobiography is that matters me to a lot as a teacher. This work is all about his 30 years long teaching career. Frank traces the ups and downs, tests and accomplishments as a teacher of creative writing New York High Schools.
About “The Art of Teaching” by Gilbert H , sometimes later......
Thursday, December 13, 2007
New Blog to post all the news of kalukadavil family
New Blog to post all the news of kalukadavil family
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