The Philosophical Conversation and Freemasonry
Instructor: Walter M. Macdougall, Ph.D., Past Grand Master of Masons
in Maine
Type of Course: Lecture / Seminar
Course Level: Extensive Study
Length of Course: TWO (2)
Two Hour Sessions
Texts:
"The Great Conversation - A Historical Introduction to Philosophy" by Norman Melchert (3rd Edition). ISBN: 0-7674-0012-7 Mayfield Publishing Company
A handout of required reading will be mailed to participants immediately upon registration.
Text Assignments:
- Section 1 & 2: Chapter Two: Philosophy Before Socrates
- Chapter Three: Sophists, Rhetoric and Relativism in Athens; To Know Oneself
- Section 3: Chapter Six: Plato, Knowing the Real and the Good
- Section 4: Chapter Seven: Aristotle, The Reality of the World
Course Description:
This course offers an introduction to the philosophical endeavor as it has been characterized in western civilization. It will also assist participants in forming a greater appreciation of Freemasonry in which this philosophical endeavor is embedded. Readings, focusing remarks by the instructor and student participation will focus on the classical era which set the direction and scope for the subsequent quests after human significance and enlightenment . This course will fist focus on the presocratic philosophers to whom many recent philosophers have turned for inspiration. Seminar members will discover many of today's issues and ideas being given voice in this period from (700-500 BC) and have an opportunity to view the rich play of influences which gave birth to western philosophy. In the second seminar meeting we will consider Socrates himself who still admonishes every one of us "to know ourselves" and who advises that "the unexamined life is not worth living". Emphasis will be placed on relating the ideas and world views encountered to an enrichment and enjoyment of life both within and outside the Craft.
The relevance of the philosophical search for meaning to our present era will become abundantly clear as will the appearance of these philosophical conceptions within the fabric of Freemasonry.
Each session will consist of a short presentation by the instructor serving to focus consideration of the texts and to stimulate the finding of corresponding ideas and world-views in the Masonic literature and ritual. Emphasis will also be placed on the ways in which a knowledge of the “great conversation” enriches and makes meaningful our enjoyment and understanding of Freemasonry.
The instructor has had years of experience making philosophical study readily assessable. These sessions, like all the opportunities for study offered by the Maine Masonic College, will be "user friendly." The reading will be provided and are taken from the most readable text: “The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy” by Norman Melchart.
Format of Sessions:
Each session will consist of a short presentation by the instructor serving to focus consideration of the texts and to stimulate the finding of corresponding ideas and world views in the Masonic ritual and literature. There will be an opportunity for question over the readings. This will be followed by a reading of brief papers written by students in response to a choice of questions on the readings. Finally, the remaining time will be used in a seminar-type discussion period.
At the final session, the instructor will assist in establishing closure to this intr0ductory experience and suggest avenues of continued study. Emphasis will also be placed on the ways in which a knowledge of the "great conversation" enriches and makes meaningful our enjoyment and understanding of Freemasonry.
Course Instructor:
Walter M. Macdougall, Ph.D. Past Grand Master of Masons in Maine
Walter M. Macdougall graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in
Philosophy having had the privilege to study several years under
Ronald Levinson, noted Plato scholar. He was a Ford Leadership Fellow and spent
a year at Harvard
University studying American intellectual history, He received a master of
arts in the teaching of science and for a number of years taught
physics and basic electronics in high school before returning to earn a doctorate
doing his dissertation on
the role of philosophy in the preparation of school leaders.
He is presently a member of the graduate faculty at the University of Maine where he has served as an instructor in the Honors College and is also teaching the graduate seminar in the philosophy of education.
As a Freemason he has been especially involved in Masonic education for the past forty years and in 1997-98 served the Craft as Grand Master of Mason in Maine.
His most recent book, Settling the Maine Wilderness: Moses Greenleaf , His Maps and His Household of Faith, is available from the University of Southern Maine.
Important Note
The Maine Masonic College complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act. If any conference participant is in need of reasonable accommodation, please forward a written request to the College Secretary for consideration at least one month prior to the activity.
The opinions expressed by instructors and Regents of the Maine Masonic College do not represent an 'official' position of Freemasonry or of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine. No one person speaks for Freemasonry. Only the Grand Master can speak for Freemasonry within his own jurisdiction and then, only during his term of office.
This page last updated on Sunday, 21 January, 2007 12:10 PM
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