As sophomores and philosophy club founders Ari Rollo, Kasuba Chama and Ryan Klepper start their weekly club meeting, they delve into a philosophical conversation about how religions and their philosophies can affect society, and how an individual defines a purposeful life. This is just one of the many topics discussed in the Philosophy Club.
The club brings students together to learn about different theorists, explore various philosophical concepts and share their personal opinions through discussion. Despite only holding a few meetings so far, the Philosophy Club has already seen success with their new group through their large attendance during their few meetings.
“We already have 10 to 20 people showing up to our meetings which is something really great to see,” Rollo said. “Our initial vision was to gather groups of students and talk about a new philosophical question each week.”
Rollo, Chama and Klepper started the club after having a philosophical conversation with Jewish Text Department Chair Grace McMillan over whether humans are inherently evil. Subsequent to this conversation, the three of them decided they wanted to continue having dynamic conversations in an organized club.
The Philosophy Club holds meetings every Wednesday during lunch. They begin each session by introducing a philosopher of the week, some of these theorists include Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. The presentation then opens up for free discourse, where members in the room can discuss the logic and merit behind the philosophers’ ideas.
The Philosophy Club is also the only club that has been established this semester. According to Dean of Students Roz Landy, most new clubs submit their request for approval at the start of the school year, so a club that starts in the second semester is far more rare.
Rollo hopes that by talking about the logicians’ concepts, students and members can gain theoretical skills.
“I hope members will be able to gain new political insights as well as different views of philosophy and life in general,” Rollo said. “…I also hope that people will be able to gain insights and compare different philosophical perspectives.”
Sophomore and Philosophy Club member Micah Blay has gone to many club meetings and thinks that his favorite topic so far was the Ship of Theseus. This Greek paradox involves taking a boat and exchanging most of its parts. Members ponder whether or not the revised ship is still the Ship of Theseus, or if it has taken on a new identity.
Landy has been in charge of managing clubs for the majority of her 48 years at JDS and thinks that the Philosophy Club is heading in the right direction.
“I think this is a fairly serious club and I’m looking forward to their future at JDS,” Landy said.
As a leader of the club, Rollo hopes to train students and members to think outside the box with an abstract mind. He also hopes that club members can apply and learn philosophy in a fun, comfortable and accepting environment.
Klepper thinks that the Philosophy Club is providing lifelong skills, such as gaining full understanding of people’s diverse perspectives.
“The club can help you try to get a more rounded or deeper understanding of any certain issue or anything worldwide,” Klepper said. “It also tries to make you understand both sides of the argument before you give your own opinion.”
