Written by Isa Pierry 

What is the meaning of life? Is it having direction in life? Or is it living a peaceful and balanced life? Or is it actually your AP scores? This is perhaps one of the most important and debated questions known to philosophers and RCDS students alike. But how does one discuss all the caveats and intricacies related to this philosophical question without being Plato or Aristotle himself? Cue RCDS’s brand new course: Introduction to Philosophy. With the new addition of this class, RCDS students are now able to participate in a collaborative based class that focuses on a myriad of philosophical topics and questions.  

Taught by Ms. Green, the Introduction to Philosophy class has been in the making since the 2022 school year. With the class largely centered around discussion, students are encouraged to ask questions and engage with the topics, going beyond memorizing facts for the upcoming test. Rather than only focusing on who did what and when, Philosophy places the student at the center of learning by posing centuries old questions such as Do people have free will? What is the best form of government? Who decides what is morally right and wrong? to the students themselves to spark self reflection and a space to share one’s opinions.

Green says she wants to key in on applying age old questions to our modern society. She explains, “We consider the ideas of past philosophers and historians, but the emphasis is on what the student thinks about a particular topic such as ethical decisions, governments, human nature, AI, and the arts–to name just a few!” Take Artificial Intelligence, for example, and the moral implications it has triggered. Complex questions like “can a machine have a mind or consciousness” or “what is intelligence” have been posed to humanity, and people have turned to Philosophy to help them answer these questions. In the Introduction to Philosophy class, students will have the opportunity to discuss such pressing questions to help make sense and address the ever changing world around them. 

Student interest levels are promising as many have already signed up for  Introduction to Philosophy in its launch year. “I hope this class attracts all different types of learners–philosophy can sound like an intimidating subject but you don’t have to be a ‘history person’ to excel at it or enjoy it,” reflects Green on her hopes for the future of Introduction to Philosophy. Get excited, Wildcats, as this seems like the perfect class to address all of your burning Philosophical questions!