Application Season: 2023-24

 Yesterday we have started a new session for the 2023-24 session. The following items were discussed.

1. Connection between Philosophy and Natural Sciences and Technology. We also gave a brief reading from Andrew Feenberg's "Philosophy of Technology". It is highly readable for a non-expert. The author RIGHTLY connects upholding democratic values for ensuring ethical use of frontier technology. Interestingly, this article, which was written in 2003, makes intelligent allusions to modern technology of the 2020s.
   
2. Thereafter we read through the two articles by Yuval Noah Harari, both of which were published in FINANCIAL Times. These are excellent readings for someone new to the idea of how technology-dependence by governments on the pretext of security and surveillance can DRASTICALLY cut down on individual freedom. Here are the links - (1) World after Corona, (2) Big data and end of Free Will .
3. From Noah Harari, we moved on the consideration of "Free Will" and the nature of it. We briefly discussed two novella - Metamorphosis and The Outsider - both of which are mid-Century European texts that discuss the question of Free Will in a world dominated by organized faith. 
4. We also very slightly touched upon the Question of TRUTH as seen in the context of Epistemology. It will be discussed in greater detail in our next class. 
5. I have assigned Andrew Feenberg article and a LONG reading on Style & Fashion from BBC. 
6. Coming Friday at 9.30, we shall commence our first Application Essay.