Monthly Archives: March 2008

Exhortation: Why the Liberal Arts? Is There A Lasting Good? (And Why the University of Dallas?)

After seeing a whole class of undergraduates sit like bumps on a log and not say anything or register any sort of reaction when the Gettysburg Address was being introduced, and then seeing more bumps on a log at the graduate level when the class was focused on Rousseau’s Second Discourse/the problem of whether any …

March 30, 2008 – 8:18 pm | By ashok | Posted in plato, politics | Tagged , | Comments (3)

The Educated Self Today

How fascinating is that class Whose only member is Me! Sappho, Tiberius and I Hold forth beside the sea. What is cosier than the shore Of a lake turned inside out? How do all these other people Dare to be about? – from Auden’s “Islands” 1. So all the students came back from break on …

March 28, 2008 – 11:34 pm | By ashok | Posted in education, personal, politics | Comments (2)

Links, 3/25, and a Brief Note on C-Span

Josh argues that Senator McCain could do a better job of just being visible in the media. Jennifer has mouthwatering pictures of pasta and pizza up. Ario’s “Objects in Space” entry gives much to think about. Kristine’s entry on how journalists regard bloggers is something I will probably expand on later. It is really curious …

March 25, 2008 – 2:49 pm | By ashok | Posted in links, politics | Comments (0)

The air is dry…

…and feels filled with particles as it blows. While it is sunny outside, these conditions and the (relative) cold are wreaking havoc with my lungs. Got up this morning and took a Claritin + a nebulizer treatment + 2 puffs of the inhaler and only then did the lungs start calming down somewhat. Everyone else …

March 24, 2008 – 9:52 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (0)

In case I’m quiet…

…the next few days, of course, are Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. I assume I will have little or no computer access those days, and Collegium is singing those days anyway. So in case I’m not on at all, that’s the reason. Have a happy Easter, everyone.

March 20, 2008 – 6:09 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (3)

Are Philosophers Tactless? Regarding Antisthenes, from Xenophon’s Symposium

Preliminary to the dissertation, in the style the dissertation will most likely be completed. Making notes on the actual dissertation text as you read this. Please don’t worry about not knowing all the names, I will flesh out what is worth knowing, I won’t waste your time. Socrates is a very noble guest in Xenophon’s …

March 19, 2008 – 7:29 pm | By ashok | Posted in philosophy, xenophon | Comments (1)

Things I’ve Learned Watching Cable Instead of Writing My Dissertation

Advertisements for video games such as “Frontlines: Fuel of War” and “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare” have convinced me that a global war for oil among industrialized nations would be the coolest thing ever. At my best, I’m some combination of Brian and Quagmire from Family Guy, particularly both characters from the episode where …

March 19, 2008 – 3:09 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (1)

Links, 3/17

Been there, done that, but this sort of thing done well is still powerful and worth thinking over, if one can stand the pain. I’m happy with the report of statistics and his mentioning a book about how English departments changed, but I feel like saying this: “Dude, shut up already and explain the relevance …

March 17, 2008 – 1:52 pm | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)

Spring Break

On campus right now are all of us who don’t have a life – grad students getting ready for a conference, business students who have classes and are doing group work, and the minimum of staff needed to keep this place running. And me, of course – not sure what category to place myself in. …

March 16, 2008 – 9:55 pm | By ashok | Posted in personal | Comments (0)

Links, 3/14

Check out Jason Sorley’s work – just ran into him on campus after having known him a few years ago, and this is what he’s been up to (look under Feb. 3rd in the “newsletter” link). Josh has written up three parts on Anselm’s opinion on the devil, and I’m still wading through them slowly. …

March 14, 2008 – 4:34 pm | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)