PHILOSOPHY: Dr. Michael Roe encourages all students at Poly High School to take the school’s offered Philosophy/Ethics course.
By Matthew Saenz, Staff Editor
In today’s results-driven society, enriching classes like Philosophy/Ethics are cast aside in favor of Advanced Placement (AP) courses that promise an extra boost to academic resumés. With this in mind, Poly principal, Dr. Michael Roe, seeks to change public perception of a life-changing course.
Interviewer: Good morning Dr. Roe.
Roe: Pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: What is your background in philosophy and ethics?
Roe: I was first exposed to philosophy in college through a great professor. I now have my Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy.
Interviewer: As a former student yourself, what attracted you to the field after high school?
Roe: I guess you can say philosophy found me. I had experienced numerous serious events in my childhood, and coming into college, I began to ask the “big” questions: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Philosophy helped guide me in my questions and my ultimate life purpose.
Interviewer: How did philosophy serve to guide you?
Roe: Prior to philosophy, I had a very inward view of the world, but the great thing about philosophy is that it focuses not only on you and your life, but on your relations with others. In a sense, philosophy changes your outlook on life from “me” to “us”–we are all connected.
Interviewer: Would you have taken philosophy in high school had the class been offered?
Roe: Looking back, I wish it had been offered. I definitely would have taken it.
Interviewer: Why should high school students take the course? How is philosophy different from other academic branches?
Roe: Actually, I don’t think philosophy is that different from other disciplines. No, there aren’t derivatives or chemical reactions, but when you look at the full breadth of academic courses, everything stems from philosophical wisdom, of the desire to learn and improve. Philosophy does more than satisfy human curiosity, but encourages metacognition–the art of introspection.
Interviewer: Why should high school students take the course, if they can take the course in college?
Roe: The high school course provides not only an introduction to the course, but an introduction to a new way of thinking about the world, and in that respect, it is never too early to be exposed to the course.
Interviewer: In a broader scenario, I know prospective students are turned off by the fact that the course is “unweighted.” What is your response to students who feel that they would suffer academically from taking this course?
Roe: I understand exactly where they come from–I have seen it for years. Ultimately, however, students need to look within themselves and realize that this race for the highest GPA means nothing if you cannot derive meaning from your learning. By focusing purely on achievement levels, I think that students fail to capture the essence of learning. Self-improvement and learning should be done without the constant desire to take classes that you may not even be passionate about.
Interviewer: What would you say to students who view themselves as academically inferior and not ready to truly delve into the subject?
Roe: Philosophy is not academically exclusive. I, too, have trouble reading Aristotle and the writings of other philosophers, but my professor helped me truly understand the complex ideas. At Poly, Mr. Robert Ayres is a consummate practitioner and teacher, a person capable of making the complex palatable and easy to understand. With the help of a guide, philosophy can serve as the great equalizer.
Interviewer: Why do you think philosophy is relevant in today’s society?
Roe: I have noticed a startling trend among people today; there appears to be an immense lack of empathy for our fellow man. In essence, people have ceased to listen, have lost hope for a better tomorrow, which is an extremely dangerous development. Philosophy helps derive meaning in life.
Interviewer: For youth today, why is philosophy important?
Roe: Ronald Reagan once said, “If you don’t make your own decisions, someone will make them for you.” Philosophy is high-level thinking connected to you, giving you a thorough understanding of the world. Philosophy allows students to truly explore themselves in ways not normally accessible, to ensure that they are capable of making independent decisions.
Interviewer: What would you say to students “on the fence” about the course?
Roe: Philosophy is the great mental awakening. Philosophy is an invitation to get to know yourself: who you have been, who you are, and who you can become.