Introduction to SUCCESS.
Read A Message to Garcia with understanding and you will grasp something so essential about learning and achieving, that it can help you in everything you choose to do. The piece, written by Elbert Hubbard, was authored at a time when women were not allowed in colleges and universities in the United States. There is sexism here. I trust that both men and women reading the piece will be aware of it. Do not pretend it is not there. Hubbard is deliberately provocative in the early parts of the essay; he admits this. It is a rhetorical device.
At the end of Hubbard's essay, is the narrative by Rowan. When you read this description of physical adventure and trials, I trust that you will translate it into the realm of the intellectual adventures and trials which we face in our pursuit of knowledge and truth..

First course in philosophy:
If this is your first philosophy course, you need to read and study the material at each of the links listed below. If you have taken philosophy before, I suggest that you review this material during the first week of class.

Reading Philosophy:

Here are some notes from me that should be very helful for anyone who has not read philosophy texts before this. Specific skills for reading philosophy.

Philosophical discussion
Prof. Gkemerling guidelines for philosophical discussion Scroll down for the section about "philosophical dialogue". Note that the 2nd part included electronic discussions.

Writing Philosophy
Most guides discuss the writing of philosophical essays. However, many of the comments can be transferred to the writing of philosophy in other literary forms: aphorisms, dialogues, journals, meditations, remarks etc. I intend to add material to this site that addresses some of the specific problems that arise in writing these non-essay literary forms. Meantime, I suggest that you study some of the philosophers who used the literary form you have chosen as models for guidance. If you would like suggestions of specific works for different literary forms, do contact me by e-mail or during office hours.

Note: Some of the authors of these guides offer students alternate forms for setting up endnotes, footnotes or bibliographies. Do not use them. In our classes , the required style sheet it Turabian. You are urged to buy a copy in the bookstore. A copy is on reserve in the library. Following the directions in Kate Turabian's Manual of Style is like following any printed directions. If you find that you are having difficulty reading or following the directions, either stop by my office or seek a tutor at the Office of Student Learning and Assessment. One of the skills you want to master before you graduate college is the skill of reading and following written directions.

R. W. Hepburn offers: Writing a philosophical essay

Other links for material in philosophy.

The section of the homepage devoted to TOOLS has links to useful on-line dictionaries, encyclopedias etc. It also has some useful links which should "whet your appetite" for what can be found on www.