Philosophy in Elliott’s CircleDuring the waning days of MM’s Philosophy class -- on Cinco de Mayo – the class met in recently inaugurated Elliott’s Circle. Coincidently, the philosophy students have been learning about educational philosophies, including Mr. Galloway’s thoughts on education and on The Galloway School. As soon as we arrayed ourselves on the circle of logs, talk turned specifically to Elliott Galloway, himself, and the bronze statue of him. Students knew that the representative cup in Mr. Galloway’s hand contained hot water, not coffee. They thought it appropriate that he was holding a book, but that his attention was on the student(s) in the circle. We talked about the process the sculptor, Marty Dawe, used to “get it right”: looking at photographs and videos of Mr. Galloway (running, talking, interacting with students); talking with people – the Galloway family, students, and teachers – who knew him. They learned that EL art teacher, CG helped especially with verisimilitude, pointing out to the sculptor that Mr. Galloway had, at some point in his long and active life, broken his nose; that he usually wore Navy-style brogans.
Following the aforementioned lively and poignant conversation, the class turned its attention to the final reading in our philosophy text, entitled “The Will to Believe” by William James. We took turns reading passages and discussing their meaning. The essay ends as follows:
We stand on a mountain pass in the midst of whirling snow and blinding mist, through which we get glimpses now and then of paths which may be deceptive. If we take the wrong road we shall be dashed to pieces. We do not certainly know whether there is any right one. What must we do? “Be strong and of good courage.” Act for the best, hope for the best, and take what comes… . If death ends all, we cannot meet death better.
What better way to end a philosophy class in Elliott’s Circle. We think Mr. Galloway would have approved.
