101!

Did I think we would actually make it to 100??
Never!
One year ago in September I joined a philosophy class in SL. I figured even though the project was announced to be the study of the 100 philosophers who have influenced the thinking of today we would never make it to the end. I determined to stay until the end whenever it might come.
After all, how many avatars would stick around and also what would the professor do after it became too burdensome.
I guess I was not the only determined one!
The professor stuck!!
He thrived on it, putting in as many as 15 hours a week in both preparation and presentation.
In our final class of the original project Herman Bergson was philosopher 101, explaining his own experience during the past year with the words, “You all were in fact my teachers and a great help during more than a year. Your participation and enthusiasm showed that it was worth investing so much time in this project.”
We met 3 times a week for an hour, sometimes longer.
Some of the members were much more into philosophical discussion than others.
We came from all over the world! Sometimes we wandered away from the lesson of the day and were gently pulled back onto the correct path, well, sometimes dragged back kicking and screaming. Some of the original members disappeared, but others came to take their place. We all made some very good friends and we made it to 100!
Along the way it occurred to us that after the 100 we would have more work to do together. Each class and each discussion appeared on Professor Bergson’blog(http://www.thoughts.com/herman_bergson/blog) so any absentee could follow what was missed. Aristotlevon Doobie also began a book in which he put every class presented. He also included links to the background material for each philosopher. The updates came every few days in e-mail to those who wanted it along with some pithy saying and sometimes art attached. At the end was a year book with the members of the class in portrait.
We got no degree for our work and fortunately no exams!!! AND on Sunday we begin again!!
Our next series of lectures will be 25 women philosophers and their influence on modern philosophical thinking!
You are invited to join the class by contacting Herman Bergson. Hope to see you there.
Gemma Cleanslate

Philosophy Class Revisited

You may recall back in the fall I wrote an article about our philosophy class here in SL. ( archives)Our Professor is presenting the 100 philosophers who have affected our philosophical thinking of today. People from all around the world gather to listen and learn.
Herman Bergson , a lover of philosophy , takes the time every week to research and rediscover and present these men and women , and host a discussion on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 1 SL He listens patiently to the questions and disagreements, well, almost patiently. That is because it is his first love!
We are only up to philosopher 57 . Still lots of classes to go and do not worry if you would like to join in, You will be able to go back and read about all the classes we have finished on his blog at http://www.thoughts.com/herman_bergson/blog/browse/2007-10
Every class is there..
One of the members , AristotleVon Doobie, is also compiling a wonderful book for us all which he updates every week. . It contains the philosophers, the professor’s lectures ,pictures of some or the sl philosophy students and also the discussions of each class..
I am afraid Herman is going to have to redesign the classroom again. The membership grows almost weekly!! ! Come visit! Wainscot 221, 178, 37.

By Gemma Cleanslate

Philosophy Class, anyone?

Second Life is all about fun I heard, a game to be played and enjoyed.. I expected to be making friends, dancing, shopping and visiting exotic vistas in a new world.

This is what I was doing, exploring in Lunata ,when I met the creator of that spectacular place.

Lunata is no more I am sorry to say, but the creator , Herman Bergson, a true renaissance man goes on with his mission.

Each Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 1:00SL he summons us to his lecture hall in the Brandaris, a lighthouse that he built in Wainscot. We meet in his living room which he has transformed it into a temporary lecture hall lacking the university building he had built in Lunata.

The purpose of the class, as stated in the introductory session, was to provide a historical introduction to 100 philosophers who shaped western philosophy.

He said Philosophy comes in parts, like a car, each part is not the car, but all together make the car.

The meetings would provide for new knowledge, and an exchange of ideas and so they do.

Each time we meet I find it much like the days in college classes. The members are bright, entertaining, and full of fun! As Herman presents the lecture there are witty additions provided by a remarkable group of avatars who become people as you listen.

The questions and comments of classmates provide food for the discussion .

I never imagined that in Second Life I would be making such an effort to be available three hours a week for a philosophy class.

Even though we might miss a session or two, no problem. The material presented in class , as well as the complete discussion, is saved for us on Herman’s blog at http://www.thoughts.com/herman_bergson/blog/

So if anyone is inclined to join the philosophy class I am sure you would be able to catch up to speed quickly. We still have about 78 to go !! The car is not nearly finished. The construction has only begun!

Submitted by Gemma Cleanslate