The philosophy department celebrated World Philosophy Day in the Bronco Student Center, Ursa Minor, on Nov. 21.
In 2002, the United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization declared every third Thursday of November to be World Philosophy Day. This occasion is celebrated in many different ways around the world. CPP’s celebration was a special event for alumni, students and staff who are involved with philosophy. It was not limited to philosophy students; anyone interested in philosophy was welcome.
The welcome ceremony took place at 9:30 a.m. with a presentation titled “Why Philosophy?”
The panel of featured students stated the philosophy department is the most supportive of students out of all departments on campus, especially when it comes to circumstances in life that keep students from being able to focus on academics all of the time.
Third-year history student Omar Delreao attended the event due to it being assigned by his cognitive science class. He mentioned finding good theories within the lectures given at each of the panels.
At 1:15 p.m. was a panel of featured students followed by an Ethics Bowl demonstration. The final two events were faculty discussions.
The panelists participating in the Ethics Bowl demonstration debated about the moral right of procreation. The topic was a serious one that prompted questions from the judges, as a demonstration of how philosophical debates function.
“They’ve built up this community where they challenge each other, help each other and care about each other,” assistant philosophy professor Corwin Aragon said. “They push and support each other to grow.” Aragon also stated CPP’s event celebrates the work of CPP alumni, students and community, citing it as the value of studying philosophy.
Assistant philosophy professor Alex Madva said many CPP alumni returned to share experiences. One such returning alumni was Erick J. Ramirez, who has since become a professor at Santa Clara University. According to Madva, Ramirez helped with the design of a Virtual Reality program that simulates being in an ethical dilemma.