Philosophy
Mind Gallery Excursion
On a cold, wet dreary morning in March, twenty curious and determined, Year 11 VCE Philosophy students embarked on a full, rigorous day pilgrimage to the Mind Gallery at the Melbourne Museum. Our intention was delve more deeply into our study of the human mind and to find concrete answers into its function: How do the Mind and Body relate to each other? Can they exist independently of one another? Where does consciousness come from? Students quickly realized that trying to finding answers was leading to more questions – and they embraced the challenge by engaging in philosophical, scientific exploration. Museum and Gallery guides were welcoming and so our intellectual journey began.
Our discussion topics were taken straight out of our VCE Philosophy textbook and student reflections included: Could a machine – such as a robot or very advanced computer—be said to ‘think’? Could a robot ever have a soul? Student responses: Robots can be programmed to think, but can’t have a soul as they are machines and cannot experience feelings. They only have understanding of what they’re programmed to understand. –Byron; A machine can ‘think’ and ‘learn’ from experience, but it cannot have a soul. – RexWhere is your essential-self located? Is it in your mind, body, your soul or somewhere else? Student responses: In your soul. – Bee; In your mind and soul. – Willow; In our minds! Our thoughts, feelings, ideas and personality is what I think makes up our ‘essential self’. – Chelsea; I believe the essential self isn’t ‘stored’ anywhere. It is all of you – each and every piece. – Lincoln
Do you believe in the idea of a soul? Student responses: I do not believe in the idea of a soul. I think it relates to God as it is portrayed in movies as biblical ideas. –Jorja; Yes, I believe in the soul. It links to yourself and spirituality. – Annabelle;Yes, the soul is an idea that’s been engrained through media and religion. – Lucy
Discussions were so intense, we went a bit over-time! On our trek through the city, students were unexpectedly confronted with ethical questions on responsibility (Unit 2 topic in Term 3). The homeless issue was a blatant and stark reality that students could not ignore. I was moved at the student actions which ensued. While students sought permission, their actions were their own. Collectively (led by Ella), students supported local businesses to buy supplies for two homeless persons in our path. Our College values – Community, Respect and Achievement were exemplified by the collective efforts of our burgeoning MSC student philosophers. And their genuine acts of kindness were supported by a local business, Watt’s Shoe Store, who donated 50% of their goods to our students once they heard the students’ intentions. It was a deeply bonding moment for our school group and the relationships we are cultivating – in our classrooms and beyond. If the compassionate human-ness I witnessed before my eyes from these young adults is a glimpse into the future of how our world might be … it is looking brighter because of them.
Student reflections: My experience was positive exploring the link between philosophy and psychology. – Jorja
I think the experience opened my mind about dreams. – Oscar
It was great to see technology of the past and how somewhat cruel some medical practices were when trying to understand mental illness. – Ella
It was great! I loved every corner of the galleries we visited and doing it with friends. – Mia R.
I loved exploring the history of psychology from philosophy and evolution of the mind/brain/body. – Grace
I enjoyed our excursion, especially the Forest Gallery and the crystals and how everything exists together. – Mia N.
It was interesting to look at the different exhibitions with classmates. I left with more questions. – Chloe
My experience was really great! The dream machine was cool. – Rex
I loved it! It was good vibes and I learnt a lot about the mind through our discussions and what we saw. Let’s do it again! – Maddy & Esther
I enjoyed the mind/body section and had fun getting to know class mates better. – Bee Today for me was both interesting and also a break from feeling stressed about school. - LincolnVery interesting and engaging! – Willow
MSC VCE Philosophy students and I would like to thank the MSC Principal Team, Year 11 Coordinators and Support Staff for approving our excursion.
For more information about Philosophy Enrichment Club and the Victorian Ethics Olympiad please contact: Michelle Rocca, Leading Teacher
Michelle Rocca
Leading Teacher