Updated: August 23, 2002
Fall 2000
WEEK TWO: ASSIGNMENTS: Due Sept.4, 2002
2.1 Read Brennan, Chapter Two and Three p. 16 – 51
2.2 Group Discussion Topic: Choose original readings from either Aristotle or Socrates or Plato and trace two issues they discussed (eg. education, body-mind, or mental illness or soul) and compare them to your personal life map influences (beliefs) or that of your ancestors. Identify and trace three specific influences of the Greek writers to contemporary psychological theories.
2.3 Submit a two page learning experience as a result of this assignment.
2.4 Meet with your Barre Student and develop a project for the semester.
LECTURETTE WEEK TWO
HERE WE GO AGAIN - WHY STUDY HISTORY AND SYSTEMS WITH A YOUNG STUDENT? DO MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN CARE ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THEMSELVES? DO I CARE?
Although this is a shortened week, we will cover two chapters this week as well as all the other weekly assignments. One group will lead the discussion question of the week in class, while everyone else will submit their responses online to get credit for the weekly assignment. Also, the first reflective paper is due for the semester. As per the syllabus, you will write one every other week. The first reflection paper will discuss your work plan with your Barre student. What are some things you could ask your student that will shed light on how they see their world or how they see education? You may want to discuss what things influenced who they are and how they think at this stage of their lives. You may also do a comparative study between how you view the world (education) and how they view it at their age. What factors caused them to think the way they do?
WHY DO THE GREEKS THINK THEY CAN TEACH ME ANYTHING?
It is known that psychology, historically, has been associated with medicine, physiology and neurology. The Greeks, sometimes, called the "first thinkers" changed the focus of "causal explanations from god to nature, or to the environment" (Brennan p. 17) . During this time Greek medicine was in the hands of the priests. Can you see how religion and medicine and psychology got intertwined? Imagine a discussion about psychology on the streets of Greece between the priest who believed all life was a result of a spiritual power and the philosopher who believed nature or an interactive environment explained the purpose of life. This could be an argument between the behaviorists and the psychoanalysts.
Chapter two discusses the early explanation of human activity as "the key to the basis of life" (Brennan,19). To search for the first underlying principles explaining human activity, the Greeks identified five different categories. They are naturalistic, biological, mathematical, eclectic and humanistic. Each orientation is discussed in the text. Challenge yourself to see how each of these orientations are part of our current society. Are these orientations true in your world? Which of the orientations support your experience?
Do these orientations support the current schools of psychology you studied in Introduction to Psychology?
Carefully read the final pages of chapter two that outline the role of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Plato was a student of Socrates. Collectively, their goal was not to give students a collection of facts, but to train them to "see below the surface of things, to seek the eternal reality underlying all." Plato introduced the body-mind dualism, while Socrates is know for his capacity to discover truth by asking questions. It has been reported that one of Socrates' contemporaries was the first psychotherapist by using a "Socratic dialogue of questions and answers." Finally, Aristotle, student of Plato, "..was one of the first Greek philosophers to take an inductive, observational approach to his work." Aristotle recognized the value of careful observation.
Hopefully, after reading chapter two, you will begin to see how this course fits together. The Greeks influenced contemporary psychology in various ways. Their emphasis on observation, mind-body and the Socratic dialogue provide shadows of current psychological practices. Can you see this? Making the links from ancient history to current psychological theory and then to your personal experience is what this course is all about.
NOW THINK ABOUT IT AGAIN!
Now that you have read and reflected on all this stuff about the Greeks, are you any smarter? After all, your life will not be changed by knowing some of this stuff, or will it? Take a minute to think about what you read. How will you explain it to your friends who have been asking you to party with them this weekend? Does any of the material you have read to date interest you? Why or why not? Have a good week!