Class Information and Registration
Welcome! Maritime Philosophy Friends meets each week to discuss philosophical questions. We focus on sharing ideas, active listening, and critical thinking.
Students can try a single class or subscribe. In addition to weekly classes, monthly subscribers (at no extra cost) gain access to a moderated Google Classroom where they can continue class discussions (or start new ones) with their peers, take weekly logic lessons, and propose and vote on topics for upcoming classes.
The Registration Form is at the bottom of the page.
In-person Classes: Coming soon!
Online Classes: Google Meet (link sent to your email)
Class duration: 60 minutes
Cost: $15 CAD per class (or $60 CAD for a monthly subscription)
Ages 10-13
Wednesdays @ 9 am EST (10 am AST) or
Saturdays @ 1 pm EST (2 pm AST)
Ages 14-18
Wednesdays @ 10:15 am EST (11:15 am AST) or
Saturdays @ 2:15 pm EST (3:15 pm AST)
What's coming up?
September 18-21, 2024 - Introductions (to each other and philosophy)
In the first class, we’ll learn about each other's interests and familiarity with philosophy. I will share my views about what I think philosophy is and invite students to share what they know about philosophy, too. Then we'll practice our critical thinking skills by arguing about light-hearted philosophical topics.
September 25-28, 2024 - The Clay and the Statue
Suppose an artist purchases a lump of clay on Monday and names it "Lump." On Tuesday, she sculpts the clay into a statue and names it "Statue." She picks up her creation. How many objects is the artist holding? The answer might seem obvious: one! But, Lump and Statue have different properties, so they cannot be the same object. For example, Lump existed on Monday and Statue did not. Moreover, Statue can be destroyed by being squished, but Lump would survive a squishing! So, is the artist holding two objects? This seems unlikely, too, since two objects cannot be in the same place at the same time. This is the puzzle of material constitution. We'll try to resolve this puzzle and consider various philosophers' attempts to do the same.
October 2-5, 2024 - Free Will and Determinism
Determinism is the view that all events (including our actions) are pre-determined by prior events and the laws of nature. For all we know, determinism could be true! But if determinism *is* true, then how can we have free will? It might surprise you to learn that most philosophers think that even if determinism is true, we can still have free will! How can this be?
October 9-12, 2024 - Personal Identity: when I am 50, will I be the same person?
People change drastically between childhood and old age. And yet, we tend to think that the same person persists through all of these changes. Gordie-at-age-10 is the same person as Gordie-at-age-50, even though Gordie-at-age-50 has very little in common with Gordie-at-age-10. So, what explains how Gordie-at-age-50 is the same person as Gordie-at-age-10? Are they the same person? We'll try to figure it out in class!
Register
One Class
15CA$One online philosophy class (the next one on the schedule)Valid for one week- One online philosophy class (Wednesday or Saturday)
- Perfect for trying out the class before subscribing
- *Interac E-transfers are available (contact to arrange)*
Classes and Community
60CA$Every monthWeekly philosophy classes plus access to Google Classroom (see below for details)- Weekly online philosophy classes (Wednesdays or Saturdays)
- Google Classroom, which includes...
- Opportunities to suggest and vote on class topics
- Weekly logic lessons (self-directed with support)
- Discussion boards
- *Interac E-transfers are available (contact to arrange)*