Our First Phronesis Project,
Spring 2013
Engaged Philosophy/Engaged Citizens
hypothesis:
student-designed philosophy curriculum
focused on pragmatist, community-level
social justice content, increases studentcitizen identity, participation, motivation,
and self-efficacy.
What if at-risk high-school students were given a
chance to help organize a philosophy seminar at
OSU designed just for them?
What if this seminar would give them credit for
their high school diplomas?
What if the seminar encouraged them to test
philosophical ideas in their communities?
What then?
Methods:
Take Phronesis Founders, L-R:
Sione Filimoehala
Stephanie Jenkins
Sharyn Clough
Sean Creighton
Matt Gaddis…
Add Peace Corps Alum,
Ashley Eveleth
Peace Activist and PhD
student, Linda Richards
…and add staff and students from the
alternative education program at nearby
College Hill High School
Stir
Results
LORENA AND ELIZABETH
Project: Bullying Awareness
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab
 “Thank you for giving us this opportunity to
be able to come to this class and learn all
these amazing things.”
Phronesis Lab
JUSTIN
Project: Homelessness in Corvallis
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab
 “I like that everybody is accepting of people
that come from different walks of life. The
class really helps me to notice more the way
I act towards others.”
Phronesis Lab
BECKA AND JENNIFER
Project: Bullying Victim’s Rights
Phronesis Lab
RYAN
Project: Poverty and Minorities
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab
“I enjoy the straight-forward approach,
because it allows for openness and facilitates
the idea that it is ok to talk about certain
topics without feeling closed off or awkward.”
Phronesis Lab
EDEN
Project: Homelessness in PDX and Corvallis
Phronesis Lab
Phrōnesis Lab
DUSTIN
Project: Bullying Prevention
Phronesis Lab
 “The class is great and I like that I can voice
my opinion.”
Phronesis Lab
TENAGNE
Project: Bullying at Corvallis High School
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab
Out of the classroom and into the
community.
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab
Experiments in Engaged Ethics
Volunteer.
Fund a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
Fund a Scholarship for at-risk high-school students.
Fund Travel for our Summer Leadership Workshop.
Practice Philosophy.
Test your hypotheses.
Be good. Be orange.
Some of the new projects we’re working on:
Can scientists be political and objective?
Who counts as a “person”?
What is “race” in America – why does it matter?
Do we need a new environmental ethic?
Phronesis Lab
Phronesis Lab