Flicker
Become enlightened!
A new club has joined Austin High School’s colorful scene of student organizations. With help from teacher sponsor Ms. Hand, co-presidents Caroline Shaw and Zane Ohanian enlighten members weekly with in-depth discussion of philosophical scenarios, and lectures about various beliefs from leaders of philosophical thought. Members of the club are able to immerse themselves in a new type of learning that expands beyond the boundaries of a typical classroom.
Philosophical outlooks are often only lightly touched upon in highschool learning. For example, in AP language and composition’s unit on the book Never Let Me Go, students explore the ethicality of cloning and the meaning of life. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg to a limitless world of discussion, which the Philosophy Club hopes to explore. “I wanted to have a forum to discuss topics that we don’t learn about in our classrooms and learn more about the world around us through peer led discussion,” says co-president Caroline Shaw, a leader of the weekly club meetings. Shaw, along with many other club members, hopes to continue studying philosophy in college, and this club is the perfect, friendly introduction to its learning.
Philosophy club is home to a diverse range of opinions, and through communication and learning, all members can feel enlightened and educated. Members enjoy the club because of its safe atmosphere to break down issues that are not discussed in daily life. “I think the club is just a great way to keep your mind moving and have fun with your friends,” says Audrey Pardee, who visits the club every week. Often, intimate beliefs such as the meaning of consciousness and what happens after death are difficult to communicate with others. But in the Philosophy club, members with varying perspectives on life can share their opinions and learn from philosophers to expand their outlooks and become more knowledgeable. “It’s a great way to learn from others and have discussions over topics we wouldn’t typically talk about,” Pardee says.
The club structure is simple, with weekly meetings held every Wednesday during FIT in Ms. Hand’s classroom, room 172. Each meeting begins with a short presentation of the weekly focus, followed by discussion questions for people to engage with. Philosophy in politics, moral dilemmas, the meaning of life, and the unknown are just a few of the topics of discussion in meetings. For those looking to find a way to integrate collaborative learning with enlightenment in their daily lives, philosophy club is the perfect place.