Friday, June 6, 2014

LBCC's New Philosophy Club, "i-THINK"


Some deep thought is stirring on campus as "i-THINK," LBCC's new Philosophy Club, is now official and off to a great start. Already boasting 15 members from the student body, “i-THINK” hopes to maintain this momentum and to continue gaining many more would-be philosophers who wish to view the world with logical thought and an eye to the critical, as their new clubs notoriety on campus grows.
   
As the Greek Philosopher Socrates is credited to having once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living,” and the members of “i-THINK’ wish to carry on that tradition today.
"i-THINK" club members with Marta Kunecka (center, extreme right)
Club member Isaiah Beye feels passionately about the subject saying, “The thing about Philosophy Club that I really fell in love with was that I found philosophy was so supremely relevant. Philosophy is something I use every day.”
        The Club was founded earlier this spring by interested members of Marta Kunecka’s Philosophy 215 class who had begun the project this past Winter semester.


Club founders Josh Stanley (President), Timothy White (Vice President), Chrizma Hostler (Secretary), and myself-Justin Shoemaker (Coordinator); found rapid support for the venture from fellow classmates. With advice from Student Union member and “i-THINK” club recruit Brandon Vance it took little time to establish the groundwork needed to begin the club.
        Ms. Kunecka was extremely encouraging of the idea and more than accommodating as she allowed for some class time to pursue the agenda and volunteered herself for the position of club co-advisor under direction of LBCC Social Science instructor Scott McAleer who has agreed to act as the clubs full time administration advisor. Kunecka said, “The club is a wonderful idea and I fully support it. If you (the students involved) want to pursue the teachings of philosophy outside of class then yes, do it!”
       
The clubs statement of purpose is as follows: the club is for students to further our understanding of philosophical ideas, to discuss and examine philosophical questions, to encourage us to think more critically about our lives as students and as members of our communities.

Club President Stanley said, “What I see as a main focus of this club is shedding light on the big relevant questions that still exist today. We want to give the club members and the campus community the chance to open a dialogue and really get a chance to put our own thoughts into some ageless debates.”
       
The clubs goals, as they are stated, stand to promote philosophical thought within the student body. To promote active participation in all aspects of life. To engage in meaningful conversation and exchange of ideas. To examine important and crucial questions and to find valid answers and grounding values.
       
When asked on his views of the study of philosophy and his regard for “i-THINK,” club member Hunter Hamilton said, “I never even realized there were so many different ways of thinking, of seeing the world. After taking Ms. Kunecka’s philosophy class I will never think the same way again. My mind has been opened to so much more. I was one of the first to sign up for the club and I totally support it. It’s going to be a blast!”
        The Philosophy Club currently meets in North Santiam Hall 216 or in the courtyard, bi-weekly, Fridays at 4:15 p.m. through 6 p.m. at LBCC. The club has plans to advance this to a weekly meeting starting with the new 2014-2015 term.


You can find them online at:
linnbenton.edu/current-students/involvement/clubs

You may Reach Club President Stanley at: Joshua Stanley @ facebook