Club Spotlight: Philosophy Club
For anyone fascinated by the humanities at OHS, there is a myriad of options of student organizations ranging from History to Debate, and today we will be highlighting one of them - the Philosophy Club. As defined by the Oxford Dictionary, philosophy is “the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.” At OHS, Philosophy Club provides a space for students to ponder and discuss the significant, confusing, and difficult questions of life. With regular meetings to discuss a wide variety of related topics, it also provides a great connection to OHS’s renowned core curriculum. Check out this interview with club leaders Yining (’23), Alinda (’24), and Esther (’24)!
Pixel Journal: First off, introduce yourselves!
Philosophy Club: We currently have three co-leaders:
My name is Yining Bie, but you can call me Yolanda too. I’m a sophomore and this is my first year at OHS. Besides philosophy, I also love dancing, translation, making art, and studying languages.
My name is Alinda, I'm a full-time junior and this is my fifth year at OHS! I really enjoy reading philosophy and discussing/debating/arguing about it with friends!
My name is Esther, and I’m also a junior at OHS. I also enjoy arguing philosophy (particularly focussing on morality/truth!) and participating in Ethics Bowl.
PJ: What inspired you to start (or take over) the Philosophy Club?
PC: We were excited to take over the Philosophy Club because of its community potential. Reading and contemplating philosophy alone can be overwhelming, or simply depressing; in a group, however, it can be an exciting, revolutionary experience. We wanted to provide a casual space where people could really explore topics they’re passionate about.
PJ: So… what is the Philosophy Club? What are the meetings about, when are they, and where are they?
PC: We meet on Fridays at 3 pm in Adobe Connect. Our current theme is existentialism - its subgroups and implications. We’re currently on hiatus during midterms, but next meeting we will be discussing how existentialism informs one’s sense of self. To attend and join our Skype group or message one of our club leaders!
PJ: What are some future goals for the Philosophy Club?
PC: We are getting ready to co-host guest speaker Jacy Reese Anthis for a discussion of AI and Ethics! Keep an eye out for the link on November 4th! We’re also always looking for informal “expert session” hosts.