Inner Chapter

Kevin J. Power

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Philosophy

Native Wisdom Philosophy Sessions

I’m currently running a series of philosophy sessions in the lovely setting of Anne’s Coffee Bar in Camp, Co. Kerry.

The series is a development of a course I taught through Kerry Education and Training Board last year, and is based on the idea that unique philosophical insights are embedded in rural Irish communities.

The sessions are a really nice way to discuss instinctive philosophical questions in a relaxed, non-academic environment, and I’m very grateful to Anne and the staff in the cafe for helping to facilitate. You can follow them on Instagram (www.instagram.com/annescoffeebar/) and I will be posting about future sessions on the Inner Chapter Instagram account also.

Cost per session is €20, which includes tea/coffee and a delicious freshly baked scone to aid contemplation! Advance booking is not required.

Photo by Shaun O’ Connor

A Mind For Our Times: The Living Legacy of John Moriarty

As part of University College Cork’s Adult Continuing Education programme I am delivering an eight week course on the work of Irish writer and philosopher John Moriarty. Each week covers a different theme of his work, explaining how it is woven into his writings and its present-day relevance. For instance, in 2005 Moriarty wrote that ‘we are asphyxiating in our own psychic exhaust’. In the years since his death smart technology has has become so pervasive that dopamine addiction from constant engagement of the reward system of the brain is becoming a live concern for this and future generations. During this course we look at the application of Moriarty’s work to such present day problems, and bring our own observations and thoughts into the discussion. The course runs online for 8 weeks from September 27th, and registration details are available at the below link:

https://ace.open.ucc.ie/courses/ace2420-a-mind-for-our-times-the-living-legacy-of-john-moriarty

The Great Story: An Introductory Philosophy Course

This autumn will see the delivery of ‘The Great Story’ an 8-week introductory philosophy in Dingle Hub, Co. Kerry. I originally taught this course in spring 2022 as a way to provide an outlet for non-academics interested in philosophy, regardless of background. The initial course was a great success and the classes were friendly, lively, and engaged. The course introduces major themes in philosophy such as ethics, mind, the limits of knowledge, and applies these themes through discussions of relevant contemporary issues and application of critical thinking skills.

The phrase ‘The Great Story’ is taken from Kerry philosopher and writer John Moriarty. It evokes the idea that we all come through circumstances and world-views which shape our beliefs and behaviours; one of the roles of philosophy is to make us aware of this, and attempt to understand why we think and act the way we do.