Day: December 13, 2017

End of Term

/ Pietro

Hello!

It’s almost end of term and I’m caught up in writing essays, which are due in a week or so. For my Darwinism and Philosophy module, I’m writing an essay on the concept of biological function, in which I try to pin down what exactly it means to say, for example, that the “function” of the heart is to pump blood, or that the “function” of the rattle in rattlesnakes is to deter predators. For my Continental Philosophy module, I’m writing an essay on Nietzsche’s book On the Genealogy of Morals, where I offer an interpretation of some of his central claims.

I also have, for my special subject module (see last week’s post), a mini-dissertation due at the beginning of next term, mid-January. Unfortunately, this means I’ll have to do some work among festive meals and Christmas celebrations. But, as much as I’d prefer 4 weeks of full relax, I’m (somewhat) looking forward to writing it, because the topic I’ve chosen interests me very much. I will engage with my lecturer’s view on what the good life (or well-being) is, and will put forward some objections in order to develop a slightly different take on the matter. To put it roughly, I’m going to argue that well-being is that condition where you develop and express your own capacities to their fullest potential and at the same time enjoy doing it.

Next week, I plan to take a break from essay writing and go to the Manchester Christmas markets. I’ve been there already in the last couple of years and really enjoyed the festive atmosphere, the mulled wine, and all the different things you can find at the various stands. It’s also quite easy to reach Manchester from Lancaster by train, which allows you to go in the afternoon and come back within the day.

Until next time!

Pietro

Essays, MA Conference and Christmas!

/ Lewis

The last few weeks have been quite hectic, with the end of term fast approaching and deadlines catching up on me. For the last few weeks I have been attempting to get as much work done as possible before the Christmas holidays so that I can take it a bit easier. So far, this has gone quite well, as I have just completed my single hardest essay and can now focus more on getting my remaining two completed during the holidays!

I’ve also been preparing for my Research Proposal conference this week. Basically, as part of the Master’s at Lancaster there is a conference ran for one of the modules in which you choose a topic to do a research proposal on, which you can then expand on in a dissertation. You then have to do a 10 minute presentation on you’re topic and how you want to go about working on it, in front of some of the students and staff in the department. I’ve chosen to do my research proposal on the role of ‘alternative media’ in the UK general election of earlier this year, and based of the work I have already done, this topic sounds really interesting and worthy of further examination.

Christmas is also less then two weeks away now, and it definitely feels like it! The societies that I am in at the moment have been hosting their Christmas meals this week I am now already sick of turkey! My flat has also decided to hold a secret santa, and for once we are actually keeping quiet about who we all have. Thinking of a present has been quite difficult, especially with the work I’ve given myself to do, but I have decided on what my present will be and am waiting to pick it up tomorrow.