It occurred to me after Ray put Arthur in check and Arthur responded by giving up that we might forget chess for a while and try something different. I suggest we try to have a conversation over the holidays and see where that takes us. The 'rules' are quite simple and can lead to interesting results. I borrow the rules from R. S. Peters, a philosopher who taught at the University of London Institute of Education. As a student Peters was tutored for a while by George Orwell.
>Conversation is not structured like a discussion group in terms of >one form of thought, or toward the solution of a problem. In a >conversation lecturing to others is bad form; so is using the >remarks of others as springboards for self-display. The point is to >create a common world to which all bring their distinctive >contributions. By participating in such a shared experience much is >learnt, though no one sets out to teach anyone anything. And one of >the things that is learnt is to see the world from the viewpoint of >another whose perspective is very different. > > (R.S. Peters, (1968). What is an educational process? In R.S. >Peters (Ed.). The Concept of Education. London: Routledge and >Kegan Paul In some of my classes we have long and fruitful conversations simply by starting with a favourite quote that someone volunteers. For example: >Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; >therefore we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true or >beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of >history; therefore we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however >virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we are saved by love. >No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our >friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we are saved >by the final form of love which is forgiveness. > > Reinhold Niebhur, The Irony of American History, pg 63 Happy winter or summer solstice depending on your world view, Brian McAndrews -- ************************************************** * Brian McAndrews, Practicum Coordinator * * Faculty of Education, Queen's University * * Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 * * FAX:(613) 533-6596 Phone (613) 533-6000x74937* * e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * "Education is not the filling of a pail, * * but the lighting of a fire. * * W.B.Yeats * * * **************************************************
