How to live the "Examined Life"

As you'll discover throughout the year, I thoroughly enjoy thinking about the big questions in life. What does it mean to live a good life? How do we know what it means to do the right thing? How can I have empathy when I can't even figure out what it is that I want? How do my ideals fit in with my culture? The list goes on and on! It's extremely rewarding to think about these questions, since they help you on your journey to fulfilling your own infinite individuality (and we are, indeed, infinite). In this video, two modern philosophers, Cornel West and Pete Singer, begin to think about some of these questions. Check it out!

Journal for the day

All sections:

Did you like the short story "The Nine Billion Names of God"? Use details from the text to explain the reasons why you did or did not like it.

Homework (due 9/17/09)

All sections:

Read the poem "The Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll. You should have a copy that was distributed in class. If you do not, you can find it here.

Choose five words from the poem. For each words you choose, use context clues to attempt a definition (this will be challenging, so don't give up! Write something down even if you think it's wrong). Once you have tried using context clues, try breaking the word up into parts. Does the word sound like others you may have heard before? Does the word look like two other words squished together?

Use your imagination!

Vocabulary Homework (due 9/16/09)

Using the definitions you worked on last night, compose one sentence using each word that was assigned. You should have 18 sentences.

There will be a vocabulary quiz on Friday.

1. Inquisitive
2. Lamasery
3. Devised
4. Permutation
5. Aeries
6. Parapet
7. Vertiginous
8. Swoop
9. Morosely
10. Gibberish
11. Inexorably
12. Obscure
13. Manna
14. Blasphemy
15. Sabotage
16. Incessant
17. Savoring
18. Ebullience

Journal for the day

All sections:

"Questioning yourself requires courage. It takes more courage to examine the dark corners of your own soul than it does for a soldier to fight on the battlefield."

- Cornel West

Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?

"The Nine Billion Names of God" Reading Guide Questions

All sections:

We began discussing these questions in class. As we continue to read, make sure you answer these questions on loose-leaf paper. The questions and responses will go in the "Classwork" section of your binder. Complete any questions we did not cover in class for homework due 9/16/09.

1. Read the title of the story. Make some predictions about this text. Ask three questions you think the text may answer.

2. How does the Tibetan monk intend to use the Mark V Computer? Make a prediction about the purpose of the project.

3. Why did the monks invent their own alphabet? How do you think it is different from the alphabet you use every day?

4. Do you agree with Dr. Wagner when he asserts the monks are "compiling their lists of meaningless words"?

5. Who are the two engineers hired to go to Tibet? How do they feel about their assignment? How do you know?

6. Why did the monks want the computer? Look back to question #2. Was your prediction correct?

7. Do you think the engineers are justified in their attitude towards the monks and their project? Why or why not?

8. Look back to question #1. Which of your questions did the story answer?

Origins of the Universe

In this YouTube video, a professor of physics from Barnard College describes the Big Bang and the origin of the universe. My favourite part about this video is how she postulates that the Big Bang was not just an explosion of dense matter, but in fact the genesis of all matter, energy, space and time. Our universe has been expanding for 14 billion years! Who knows how many times it has expanded and crunched. Indeed, the most compelling of all the ideas expressed is that ours may not be the only universe. Of course, we have no way of knowing, but contemplating the possibilities is reward enough!