1982 – Introduction
In the Spring of 1982 (my last term as an undergraduate at Cal Poly S.L.O.), I took my first philosophy class. As a Mathematics and Physics double major (as well as a “wet behind the ears”, naive Christian), I struggled a lot in this class. I had a few simplistic thoughts about my faith and my choice of truth (i.e.; the beginnings of my own system of “Justified True Beliefs” JTB’s). But, I didn’t have much more than memorized doctrines, that were lacking personal experience. I couldn’t articulate well; I was 19 at the time. My ”black-and-white”, “right-and-wrong” worldview didn’t help my grade. My professor expected deeper thinking than my go-to answer: “because the Bible says so”. I so much wanted to do well in philosophy, but I was too young for it.
2023 – Re-Introduction
On March 11, 2023 I applied to the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), University of Cambridge, Madingley Hall to take coursework for the Undergraduate Certificate in Philosophy: History of Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind and Political Philosophy. I was subsequently accepted. Cambridge University was founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by King Henry III in 1231.
I was 60 when I started… not as young looking… but I had a decent haircut.
My “Business-Mind”
Roll the clock forward 41.5 years, and I feel too old to swim in the deep end of the philosophical pool. The smart people are thinking quicker and more cogently than me… the dumb people say what I’m thinking… I’m making mistakes that are “rookie” errors… I haven’t written a philosophy paper in a very long time and it shows. I have been trained throughout my career to write to business readers not scholars. But still, I so much want to do well.
When I embarked on this certificate program, I had a few questions:
- Can I follow the prescribed directions, but still explore ideas that interest me?
- How close does my current level of “philosophical” ability come to a passing grade?
- What does God want me to learn, not just the professor?
- How much “growing up” do I need to do?
I want lots of feedback, it’s the most helpful thing that my professor can do for me.
Reflections after the first 30 days…
I have spent my career building a “business mindset”. Now, I have to develop a new philosophical one. My professional experience has wired my brain to think in terms of a ‘business audience’”. When I started my job at IBM, they told me to write business correspondence to an “8th-grade” level. Recently, I was corrected by my close friend that now it’s actually a “3rd-grade” level. Looking back at my first term paper, I realize it was a fine “business analysis” (ahead of schedule and understandable by the lowest common denominator), but a substandard “philosophical analysis”. It was so bad; I had to completely rewrite it. I hope my time at Cambridge will help me to rewire my brain. I want to build new/philosophical ways of thinking.