Philosophy 1^st Quarter

            I believe that the first quarter of philosophy has gone well in that we have engaged in very deep analytical discussions such as with Candide and especially with Mersault.  It was interesting to read two stories in which the authors satirized the societies that they lived in.  In Candide, we were able to see that Voltaire was criticizing those who were in power who are supposed to uphold justice for their people, especially religious and political figures.  With The Stranger, it is evident that Camus is criticizing how common people conform to certain ways of life and that individualism at times is frowned upon.  Mersault is so different and distant from everyone else, that there was no way that the jury could understand the justifications for his actions.

            I think the blogs are important so that we can review and openly discuss what we read and it gives those who do not speak in class a chance to voice their opinions.  The one problem I see with the course is that the group work can be a bit tedious at times, because some of the questions are merely summary questions.  It would be more beneficial to ask analytical questions like our discussions so we can learn to look past the obvious answers and to delve deeper into the reading.