Richard Grear PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Richard Vincent Grear Age: 21 Current occupation: Photographer/ Painter/ Illustrator Where you live: Lancaster, New York, USA Your program: Moral Philosophy Start date: early 2007 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? I was randomly emailing my first "philosophy" writing (a poorly written and thought-out one now that I look back at it haha). I'm sure Geoffrey K knew how crappy of an essay it was, but for some reason he published it (much to my delight) in a pathways issue ( 95 I think). It was then that I was introduced to the whole pathways sites and courses. What alternatives were you considering at the time? I was just 17 and had no desire to take any philosophy course at the time, except for more informal sources of knowledge like books and the discovery channel (haha). What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? I felt like I needed a boost in my philosophy education, but I didn't plan on going to college at the time. Pathways seemed like a good choice. How do you feel about that decision now? I don't regret the decision, because many things where illuminated before my mind through taking the course. I think it was through taking what amount of the course that I took that I became a much more mature thinker; much more careful and precise with my thoughts. I became more logical, and more capable of determining whether a particular idea is crap, or sound. Before hand I had allot of creative ideas/theories, but I wasn't too skilled at providing a sound argument that disproves or proves such theories. The course helped me transform from just a creator of wild ideas, to more of a creator and logician; someone more capable of determining the truthfulness or falseness (through logic) of wild ideas/theories that I create. The course has also helped to introduce me to other thinkers whose valuable ideas I'm just starting to read and stand upon. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Moral Philosophy How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? I found them pretty challenging. Almost too challenging (especially towards the end), but I was able to just barely conceive of most of what was said in them. I wasn't the most literate person when it came to the somewhat advanced and philosophical vocabulary used, so that was a major obstacle to my understanding of the material. I find sentences that are more straight forward, and more simple, the easiest to understand, but the study materials weren't always very straight forward in style. At least that's how I interpreted them. So that was another obstacle to my understanding of them. I like philosophers who tell their ideas in as little words as possible, while using the simplest dumbest words possible lol. That way it is easier to understand the already complex/challenging ideas they most surely are trying to communicate. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? I haven't really read too many text books so far, but I will say that both the pathways materials and the few books that I have read have helped me about equally in my evolution as a thinker. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? I don't regret taking the moral philosophy program. It was a choice that I had to make at the time, and a choice that has lead to my current self; I think a much more enlightened person than I was before the course. I don't plan on taking another pathway, because I don't have the money for another one, and I'd like to just study independently from now on. It's cheaper. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? I tried to ask the philosophers on ask a philosopher (and the other one) some questions, but I don't think they responded. They must not like me or something haha. I'm sure I would have found their answers very useful if they responded to my questions. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? In my eyes, simpler is better. If it were up to me there would only be one site with everything on it, instead of several different sites. That's just how I would do it. In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? Yes, I think it does, but does it mention the fact that the student's brain spontaneously combusts after a couple of hours, and after the first couple units the student eventually develops an obsession with banging his/her head on the nearest wall??? (just kidding of course) 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Geoffrey Klempner that mysterious dude. Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? Yes, but I wish he was easier to understand. Maybe it's because we live in two different countries, and we have slightly different vocabulary and slightly different styles of communicating our thoughts (just a possibility). I think people in the UK have a slightly different style of expressing ideas that I find more difficult to understand than my more familiar American style of expressing ideas; even though we both speak the same basic language. I don't know, maybe I'm just making that up, but that is what my intuition is telling me. It could have also been because I was too stupid to completely follow everything he said (haha). How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? I had many questions throughout the course, but it took a while for them to be answered. And even when Geoffrey did respond to them, his response didn't always answer them fully. I think that is the only downfall with distance learning as compared with real time learning. It takes time for the students questions to be answered. But I do like learning and discussing philosophy on paper/screen rather than in person, because when your not in a real time conversation you have more time to think things through, and the material is always on the computer to be reread (as many times as you wish) in order to better understand what's being taught. In real time learning, you have to struggle to remember everything the teacher has said, or frantically take notes, which I think can be a major hindrance to absorbing the material fully. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? I've never taken any other philosophy courses. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? I wanted to, but unfortunately I forgot about the whole conference when it took place. So no I never was able to participate. If you did participate, how would you rate the quality of the philosophical discussion? If you did not participate, what kind of conference provision would tempt you to join the conference? How bout candy? (Just kidding:) I'm really not sure. Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? I do enjoy discussing things with other thinkers, I think it is a must do for any thinker, because two minds are better than one when it comes to answering tough questions. That's something I've recently started doing. I haven't chatted with anyone in connection with pathways besides Geoffrey K, the reason being, I don't know if any of them have instant messaging, and what any of their contact information is. Maybe I just don't realize it, but it doesn't seem like I have any way of getting in hold of any of the other pathways people to chat with them. I think the email addresses, and IM addresses (and even phone numbers if they wish) of anyone in connection with pathways should be displayed on the pathways site(s), so that anyone can easily get into contact with one another, outside of a conference. Forgive me if this is already the case. 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? Pathways contributed to my evolution as a thinker. It has helped me climb higher and gain a better view of the landscape I am part of. What effect has that had on my life? Well, I wake up with less maddening confusion in my heart. I am more at peace now. I feel less lost. My actions are better guided now, and more fruitful. I'm navigating this sea better now. I'm more capable of sailing to where I want to sail. Indeed, that is the purpose of thought itself. The purpose of any tool such as philosophy. (philosophy is also an end for me; very rewarding in itself) Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? No I haven't taken another philosophy course. I plan on continuing to informally educate myself on the great thinkers of the past and present through reading plenty of books and watching philosophy videos. And of course I plan on thinking and discussing ideas with other thinkers. I don't think I need to spend tens of thousands of dollars on college to achieve my philosophical goals. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? I already explained how Pathways benefited me. But consequences? Well, knowledge can have consequences especially if it reveals something you'd much rather not know about. Pathways helped me realize that I'm probably going to live every possible life an infinite number of times in the future, which wasn't very good news to my ears. Particularly because I'd rather not live the lives of people/animals who are extremely tormented in their lives. I don't like to think of such an idea, but I cannot deny its probability. But then again, (like Nietzsche said) perhaps the greatest happiness comes out of the greatest starvation, so maybe living through horrible experiences in such lives will also involve living through some of the best experiences. 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? As much as I'd like to give you a great idea, I can't really think of anything.. sorry. All I can think of is for everyone to get together and dance to an Irish jig song. Fun! Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? Its always a good thing for deep thinkers to be able to discuss ideas; especially face to face! Of course that's a good idea. I wish I knew more "deep thinkers" to talk to. The only one I know personally is my cousin Lena. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? Ummm.. I'm not sure.. it would depend on what's going on in my life at the time. But that certainly would be cool! Currently, there are two free Pathways e-journals, Philosophy Pathways and Philosophy for Business. What are your thoughts about a third journal dedicated to publishing the best examples of course work by Pathways students? I think that some or many of your students probably have some great ideas that could be of value to the world. I'm still waiting for the day that more than a couple people knew of my reincarnation ideas. So yeah, on behalf of such students who are dying to have their voices heard, do it! I think that's a great idea. 8. CONTRIBUTING TO PATHWAYS Do you have any thoughts about possible articles for Philosophy Pathways or Philosophy for Business? Or have you already written a piece that you could send us? I know I'm capable of writing a more than descent article on reincarnation, but I haven't done so yet. I feel that some of my ideas are cutting edge, and I'd love for them to be known by as many people as possible. Perhaps I'm just naive to think that. Or perhaps not. I will be writing a REAL article on the topic soon. And it won't be anything like the articles I've submitted in the past. Have you have successfully completed the ISFP Associate or Fellowship Awards, or the first year of the University of London Diploma or BA in Philosophy? If so, would you like to join the panel of Ask a Philosopher? No, but jeez, I'd love to join anyways lol. If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? That would be cool to be a mentor. I'm already a bit of a mentor to my cousin, or I was anyway, while I was chatting with her. I plan on mentoring allot of people in my future. But I don't have a degree of any type. Oh well. 9. GENERAL ASSESSMENT In the most general terms, how would you rate your experience with Pathways: Strongly positive? More positive than negative? About equal? More negative than positive? Strongly negative? More positive than negative How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? Well, I learned allot, but I struggled allot which wasn't very fun. I actually didn't even finish the course, because I felt I couldn't possibly decently create the essay I was asked to create, in such a short amount of time. It would have took me years to create such an essay ( in a descent way). 10. PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE YOUR COMMENTS Are you prepared to allow us to reproduce any of your comments above, under your name, on the Pathways web site? YES INDEED Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? First I'd like to thank Geoffrey Klempner for teaching me many things, even though the course did suck up some of my valuable money! But I think that overall the course was worth it, and I encourage anyone thinking of trying a pathways course to go for it, because you most likely won't regret it. Now with that said, I think I'll take advantage of this opportunity for self-expression, and express one of my philosophical ideas on here. I'll make it simple and short because essays belong in journals not surveys. OK... I'll begin by saying that the idea that "nothing" "exists" when one dies, is absolutely absurd. Only "something" can and does "exist." Thus when one dies, only something can and does exist. The death/end of a life is merely change. Change from one life to another life. Either to the same life, or to a different life. A life follows another life either by ones choice or not by ones choice. The variety of lives that you have lived and will live is either finite or infinite. This sequence of finite or infinite lives that you have and will live through can be called a sort of "timeline of lives". The time-line of lives has an infinite past, and an infinite future. Time has no beginning, and it has no end. Every end is a new beginning, and every new beginning is an end. Look around at your friends. Look around at your family. Look around at your enemies! You will live all of their lives including your own an infinite number of times. The life of that kid you bullied in middle school, the life of the girl you kissed in high school, the life of the chicken you just ate, the life of that baby seal that just got clubbed in Canada, the life of your pet dog Mugsy, the life of the happiest man on earth, the life of the most powerful alien in the universe, is going to be your life in the future. The time-line of lives is either pleasurable overall, neutral in emotion overall, or painful overall. Let us hope that more joy than pain exists on this time-line of experience/lives. Otherwise we are in for an infinite future of pain, or nothing at all. Not to be dark or anything (haha). **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.