news // no. 4

Philosophy club spotlight

» Is there such thing as free will? Either way, check out this club

Jessica Berget
Editor-in-Chief

 

hilosophy is an age-old field that has

always encouraged people to think
critically. However, it may not be as a
popular a science as it once was. To fill this
philosophical void, Rod Keller created the
DSU Philosophy club—and answered a few
of the club’s existential properties for us.

Q. Why do you think it's important to
have a philosophy club at Douglas?

A. I don't think it's important to have a
philosophy club at Douglas. I just wanted
one because | enjoy discussing philosophy.

Q. How did the club get started?

A. I started at Douglas last summer and
found that there wasn't an active club,
despite there being advertised there

was one. It turns out the old one had
disbanded when certain members left

and it was dormant. I figured that I could
start it myself. Nikki Kirigin (who has
since left to go to SFU) helped me with the
administrative work with the DSU. It was
just filling out some forms.

Q. What generally goes on ina
philosophy club meeting?

A. On an average meeting, I will write a few
topics for discussion on the board. Then I'll
take suggestions from whoever shows up

as alternative topics. Topics may be cliché:
“What is the meaning of life?”, topical:

“Should we be allowed to genetically design
babies?” or tough: “What do we mean by
the self?” I try my best to moderate so

that quieter voices can have their chance

to speak and voice their opinion without
being drowned out, and I try and write

key points made down on the board. To

be honest, I’m never sure the best way to
run it, I just want to make sure everyone is
comfortable to express their views.

Q. How do you or the philosophy club
deal with opinions or views that might
be controversial?

A. Any philosopher worth their salt deals

with “controversial” views the same way
they deal with any other view, argue for or
against it. Listen to the merits of the view
or argue that it has none. Philosophy is the
least dogmatic of all academic disciplines,
everything can be discussed and
questioned. The only thing I actually have a
problem with is people who don't listen to
other views or treat others charitably.

Q. When did you take over and what is
your vision for the philosophy club?

A. Well, it started with a Co-Presidency
for the Fall Season, but I've always been
managing the actual meetings. In this

 

theotherpress.ca

winter semester, I'm now the only person
running it. I'm not sure I have a vision
for it, nor do I know if it will continue

on after I leave. Philosophy requires
people who are passionate about it and
that's just something I can't guarantee.
For now, I plan to just keep running it

as I do, as weekly discussions and article
readings with the occasional event. (Also,
to advertise, we are working on a debate
about the ethics of Veganism, and perhaps
another event bringing in a pastor to
debate a philosophy professor. We'll see,
stay tuned.)

Q. Anything you'd like to add?

A. To all the people on the outside looking
in on Philosophy, to those who don't

get the point of it, I have this to say:
Philosophy is a way of understanding the
world. Whether we like it or not, we all
view the world with assumptions that we
think are correct in order to make sense
of our lives. Philosophy just tries to make
sure those assumptions are as good as
they can be. Whether you're a scientist,
psychologist, social worker or IT Tech,
philosophy will help shape how you take
in information. The easiest thing to do in
life is just to avoid all challenges to one's
view. You could probably get through life
just fine like that, I won't dispute that, but
if you're the sort of person who finds that
unsatisfying, I suggest coming on by and
challenging yourself.

Simply Scientific: New semester, new stress

» The neurological reasons for new semester anxieties

Maria Bouabdo
The Concordian (CUP)

 

M?” students experience stress with
the start of a new semester, but few
know the process behind it. With the
beginning of a new semester, you might
have some questions on your mind such as,
“why am | already stressed after a week of
class?”

cc

While stress is

a response toa
threat, anxiety is a
response to stress.

 

Stress is common among university
students, especially at the beginning of
a new semester. It might be caused by
increased workload, new responsibilities,
and lifestyle changes, according to NYU’s
website.

The Mental Health Foundation
defines stress as the “body’s response to
pressures from a situation or life event.’
When you experience stress, your body
generates stress hormones, such as
adrenaline and noradrenaline. It causes a
“fight or flight” response, also called acute
stress response, which helps you quickly

respond to dangerous situations, as stated
on the Mayo Clinic.

According to Harvard Medical
School, when such a situation occurs, the
amygdala, a part of the brain that takes part
in emotional processing, sends a distress
signal to the hypothalamus, which works as
a command centre.

The NIH explains this process as
nerve cells linking the hypothalamus to
the hippocampus, connecting the event
toa past situation, as the hippocampus is
the brain’s memory storage. Finally, the
adrenal glands, found above the kidneys,
will release adrenaline to all parts of the
body so the person has enough energy to
fight or flee, as stated by the Johns Hopkins
Medicine website.

However, this mechanism can also
harm you if the situation is too stressful
or can't be controlled, as your body keeps
experiencing this “fight or flight” response,
which can be overwhelming. While stress is
a response to a threat, anxiety is a response
to stress.

According to an article in Global
News, more college students in Canada, the
US. and the U.K. have high expectations
of themselves and others, meaning they
expect people and themselves to act ina
certain way, which causes more stress.

Stressors can be external, meaning
they are situations that happen to you such
as life changes or unpredictable events. But

they can also be internal or self-induced,
which means they are thoughts that
you have, such as fears, beliefs or lack of
control, as explained on the Mayo Clinic.
Pessimism can be an internal stressor.
The Government of Canada shared
some common symptoms of stress and
a few tips to prevent it. Feeling irritated,
sad, guilty, or restless; seeing changes in
your sleep patterns, appetite, or weight;
having difficulty concentrating or making

 

decisions; and losing interest in things you
used to enjoy—all could be signs of stress.

To prevent stress, avoid
procrastinating and don't be afraid to
make decisions—as leaving tasks for later
and worrying about them will cause more
stress. Let people help you if possible and
keep a positive and realistic mindset. Have
a great semester!