This past Friday, September 26th, ECE Philosophy instructors met virtually with Faculty Coordinator Dr. Mitchell Green and UConn Philosophy Ph.D. candidate Ahmed AboHamad for two discussion sessions. Dr. Green led the group in a conversation surrounding smartphone usage and AI in the classroom, and Mr. AboHamad facilitated a presentation entitled ‘Teaching Literary Stoicism’, which is described in more detail below:

This presentation focused on the contemporary revival of Stoicism and its liberatory potential. At the heart of Stoic ethics is the distinction between what lies within our control and what does not, a distinction that has profound implications for political life. On one hand, Stoicism’s emphasis on virtue as both necessary and sufficient for the good life can be an antidote to consumerist cultures that place excessive value on external goods. On the other, its liberatory promise depends on orienting individuals to see the contingent nature of unjust social and political structures. I take this as a starting point for thinking about the role of education, especially the humanities, in expanding our capacity to imagine more just worlds and making Stoic wisdom truly liberatory.

Finally, UConn Philosophy’s Alina Ahmed and Maria Genova discussed their roles as Philosophers-in-Residence supported by the Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization (PLATO).

We are grateful to all who attended this year’s session, and we extend special thanks to the guest contributors and Mitch for their support of the ECE program.

Philosophy (PHIL) courses available through UConn Early College Experience.

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