A.J. Wendland, Senior Research Fellow of Philosophy at Massey College in the University of Toronto, and philosophy editor at The New Statesman, will offer a special senior undergraduate and graduate course this semester on public philosophy. 九秀直播 the course, Wendland writes:
鈥淧ublic philosophy runs on a spectrum from the popularization of philosophical ideas to the application of those ideas to daily life. This suggests public philosophy presupposes the esoteric work done by philosophers within the academy, but in a way that is consistent with the practice of Socrates, public engagement is simultaneously an inspiration for much academic research. In short, there is a dialectical relation between academic and public philosophy insofar as analyzing the world around us through the lens of our academic work often raises new questions and motivates new academic research. This course aims to teach senior undergraduate and graduate students how to translate the technical terminology of academic philosophy into publicly accessible prose and show them how suitably clarified philosophical ideas can be used to interpret current affairs and respond to the social and political problems we confront. The course is also designed to prepare students to work alongside editors, producers, journalists, and other media professionals as well as illustrate how the business of popular philosophy operates. Lastly, and with a little luck, this course will stimulate student interest in academic philosophy and equally indicate the way they can use philosophy to enhance the well-being of their local communities.鈥
Wendland鈥檚 philosophy column in The New Statesmen, 鈥溾, features pieces from leading philosophers, including Queen鈥檚 political philosophers Will Kymlicka, Christine Sypnowich, and David Miller.