Class: Philosophy

Date Due:

Academic Challenge: observing nature

Student Expectation:
Students will actively engage themselves in the learning process.
Students will personally challenge themselves.
Students will write and speak in a clear, organized manner.
Students will access, process and apply information effectively.
Students will demonstrate critical and creative thinking.

  

NHEIAP Standard:
Students will use reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing to gather and organize information, communicate effectively, and succeed in educational, occupational, civic, social, and everyday settings.

 

The Question:

How can we discover universal truths from natural facts?

The Challenge:

In order to test Emerson’s theories about the effect of nature on the human condition, find a place in a secluded spot in the woods to make observations of nature. Dress appropriately, and go alone. Plan on spending at least one hour making the observations. 90 minutes to two hours is optimal. Take a notebook and writing utensils and make clear and specific observations of what you see and hear. Be very specific. Describe things in detail. You should fill at least four pages on your notebook with writing.

During your observations, seek to gather very specific details on those which may be symbolic of a universal truth. For instance, if you find a small tree growing in the crack of a large rock, investigate and record how the tree gets nourishment and water, what its root system is like, and how it has been successful growing.

Then, write a paper in which you describe your observation in detail, and how it is symbolic of a universal truth. Use an extended comparison and logic to show how your truth is "self-evident."

 

 

Minimum
Product
Standards:

The writing is clear and detailed.
The observations are about what you see and hear.
The observations are of nature.
The observations reflect at least an hour’s work.
The essay includes a detailed comparison of the observed natural facts and a universal truth.
The universal truth is shown to be self-evident.