It seems morning posts happen a bit more organically this week -- interesting and out of character.
I'm at the beginning of another new term, reading my way through Kant's Critique of Pure Reason (and many, many secondary sources), reading a lot of contemporary philosophy on action and causation, teaching for the fifth term in a row, and assisting with some research on early modern discussions of regret by French and English contemporaries of Descartes. It's a busy term, but I'm already looking ahead. I moved to Vancouver to do this degree after a lot of tumult and decision -- mostly to pursue some of the few things I take to be real, important and invigorating -- teaching especially. And it has flown by.
I'll be finished my coursework in May, writing in the summer, and applying for PhDs (again) in the Fall. I'm hoping that a relaxation of coursework demands will allow me to read in a sprawling way again, and maybe increase my writing here. It's really incredible how little time I have to read outside of classes, much less work up enthusiasm to write about those readings.
But I wanted to say thank you to the group of people who continue to read my thoughts, as well as those who comment and send emails despite my being the absolute worse correspondent to ever run a blog. I read your emails and they brighten my day and keep me motivated to make some more space for writing here.
I'm at the beginning of another new term, reading my way through Kant's Critique of Pure Reason (and many, many secondary sources), reading a lot of contemporary philosophy on action and causation, teaching for the fifth term in a row, and assisting with some research on early modern discussions of regret by French and English contemporaries of Descartes. It's a busy term, but I'm already looking ahead. I moved to Vancouver to do this degree after a lot of tumult and decision -- mostly to pursue some of the few things I take to be real, important and invigorating -- teaching especially. And it has flown by.
I'll be finished my coursework in May, writing in the summer, and applying for PhDs (again) in the Fall. I'm hoping that a relaxation of coursework demands will allow me to read in a sprawling way again, and maybe increase my writing here. It's really incredible how little time I have to read outside of classes, much less work up enthusiasm to write about those readings.
But I wanted to say thank you to the group of people who continue to read my thoughts, as well as those who comment and send emails despite my being the absolute worse correspondent to ever run a blog. I read your emails and they brighten my day and keep me motivated to make some more space for writing here.
3 comments:
I wish you could see a way to move beyond dependence on the academy--all the best of what you offer here is what you find on your own. In your own heart and mind, do you see that paper credential doing more than offering a future source of income? The demands on your time will only increase--and the demands on your time is the least of it.
Does that PhD lend you wings... or shackle's... ?
Oh, I don't know ... there are some unavoidable facts about wanting to teach at certain places which are on the margins of 'the academy' -- and since that's what I want, for reasons far beyond income, I'm willing to pursue degrees for that instrumental reason.
Striking the balance is what is most difficult, but that's the key to doing my best at everything which is valuable to me.
But I do think often about all of this.
How I envy your studies, your Kant, your philosophy, your teaching and goals. I know it isn't easy but I also know it is truly work it. I am sure you can't imagine an alternative that comes close.
Richard
www.marksinthemargin.com
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