Chris Hobbs PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: Chris Hobbs Age: 58 Current occupation: Engineer and Flight Instructor Where you live: Ottawa, Canada Your program: ?? Start date: ?? 1. CHOOSING PATHWAYS How did you find out about us? was it by accident? were you searching for a philosophy course? It's a long time ago but I seem to remember that I was searching for a philosophy course. I found one at a Canadian Distance Learning university and even got as far as paying an enrollment fee and then found yours that seemed to be better. What alternatives were you considering at the time? See previous answer. What considerations were uppermost in your mind when you decided to apply to Pathways? Finding a course covering a rigorous area of philosophy (I studied philosophy of mathematics at university (London---with Lakatos!) and wanted something equally non-metaphysical). How do you feel about that decision now? It was right. But I wasn't ready for the course at the time. Your course, however, inspired me to get back into the saddle and I was even considering re-doing it because I've done a lot of work in the interim and could do it a lot better now. 2. STUDY MATERIALS Did you take any of the six Pathways written programs? which one(s)? Philosophy of Language How did you find the Pathways study materials? were they too easy, too difficult or just about right? Just about right. As I said above, I don't think I did well but I would now. How do the Pathways materials rate in comparison with text books that you have seen or studied? Having done a lot of reading since, I now realise the context within which the course material was probably written. The text books I have read generally make the context much more explicit. Do you feel that you made the right choice of program, or given the chance would you like to try a different Pathway? why? Yes I do. As I said above, my unfocused thoughts at the moment were even to do it again, bringing a much greater breadth of reading with me this time. 3. PATHWAYS WEB SITE How useful have you found the information provided on the Pathways web pages? Didn't know there was one. How might the content or layout of the Pathways pages be improved? In your view, does the Pathways web site convey an accurate impression of what it is like to study with Pathways? 4. INTERACTION WITH YOUR MENTOR Who is/ was your Pathways mentor? Geoffrey Klempner Are you generally happy with the interaction and feedback that you have have received from your mentor? Yes How well, in your view, does the current system of providing mentor interaction work? how would you like to see it improved? It worked well for me. But it was a long time ago and your process may have changed in the interim. How does the tuition you received compare with other philosophy courses you have taken, whether online or face-to-face? Given the limitations of correspondence courses, it compared well. Nothing, of course, compares with face-to-face teaching in a subject as difficult as philosophy---the second-by-second interaction as ideas are discussed cannot be matched by correspondence courses. I don't remember reading about Socrates' correspondence courses. I also listen to the "The Philosophers' Zone" podcasts from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (http://www.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/feeds/pze.xml) in the car on the way to work and find about 60% of those to be very interesting. 5. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STUDENTS Have you ever participated in the Pathways online conferences? Nope. Didn't know that they existed. 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? Would you like to see further opportunities provided for Pathways students to engage in dialogue? do you have any ideas? 6. IMPACT OF STUDYING WITH PATHWAYS What effect, if any, has studying Philosophy with Pathways had on your life? It caused me to do more reading. As a result I found Corfield's "The Philosophy of Real Mathematics" that has set me off in totally new directions. Have you been motivated to continue studying Philosophy after you complete your course? I think the term is "remotivated". As I said, I studied technical philosophy at university as part of a pure mathematics degree and had always maintained an interest. The course remotivated me to start again. Have you taken another Philosophy course? or do you plan to? Not a formal one. Possibly. What other benefits or consequences have you noticed from studying Philosophy with Pathways? 7. FUTURE PROJECTS Do you have any thoughts about future projects which we might undertake? Some students have expressed an interest in a conference where Pathways students could meet face-to-face. How do you feel about that idea? The trouble, of course, is travel. Living in the wilds of Canada (i.e., the middle of the capital city), getting to Europe is awkward. Would you be prepared to travel to Sheffield to attend a Pathways conference? Probably not, given the distance. 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? It might turn the courses into competitions ("I got my answer published!") 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? Possibly. Let me have a think. 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 If you have successfully completed a BA degree in Philosophy, would you like to become a Pathways mentor? Not applicable. 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? Strongly positive How would you summarize the reasons for your assessment? It inspired me to do more work by myself. Any course that does that is a success. 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? Yup. Or, is there something in particular you would be prepared to say for publication? **END OF QUESTIONNAIRE** Email info@philosophypathways.com if you would like to comment on this page.