These past two weeks, students gathered in Heiner 103 to try to answer the philosophical question of free will’s existence – the prompt being “does free will truly exist, or are our actions caused by our brain’s internal programming?”
Meeting on Fridays in Heiner 103 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., the WCC’s Philosophy Club offers students a chance to participate in deep thought and discussion, covering a multitude of topics relating to philosophy.
As they discussed free will, club members made several points throughout, including comparisons between humans and animals, humans and computers – with mention of the ever-growing topic of AI.
While the direction of the conversation meandered, the topic itself was maintained. Many of those in attendance reported very much enjoying the Philosophy Club, with members encouraging students of all different backgrounds to give the club a try.
Club Officer Caitriona Bobb enjoys the diverse perspectives surrounding different topics mentioned in meetings.
Bobb explained that a great part about the club is its ability to allow members to cover topics and discuss them, just so long as the conversation remains respectful: “We get to expand on these deep philosophical ideas in more of a practical, conversational way”
Others in attendance included Kirsten Egerstrom, Jordan Fuller, Chris Lee, Devin Luna, Glen Nesse, Blake Sneve, and Conner Wilson. Some of them shared their thoughts on the Philosophy Club, all seeming to agree that it provides a much-needed space to discuss topics that don’t often see air in day-to-day conversations.
Wilson said he enjoyed getting the opportunity to share his thoughts in this club and Sneve said this club is an opportunity for him to branch out from his general curriculum.
Nesse, a Co-Advisor for the club, said that the Philosophy Club stands out for its good dialogue, with Lee agreeing, pointing to the conversations as his favorite part of attending.
Luna said she enjoys discussing topics you wouldn’t normally discuss in casual conversation, while Fuller, Vice President of the Philosophy Club, explained that they enjoyed the opportunity to create an atmosphere where students can discuss deep topics.
Students who attended these meetings were able to come to new conclusions through discussion, being able to open themselves up to differing opinions and new perspectives that gave students a lot more information to consider.
For members of the Philosophy Club, the hour they give every Friday isn’t a sacrifice; it’s an opportunity for personal inspection and growth from newfound knowledge.
