Come, Together Pawling,
By Donald Partelow
The Pawling Library’s new monthly program Come Together Pawling made its debut on Monday, August 30th from 7-8 pm. At the start of each program, a TED TALKS video is shown, followed by a discussion in a respectful and open environment. A new topic will be presented each month with a different guest host. For our first gathering Edward J. Grippe Ph. D opened a discussion after a viewing of the 15-minute TED TALKS video, entitled How we can protect truth in the age of misinformation, with Professor Sinan Aral. Throughout this one-hour presentation there was a great exchange of engaging conversation. Nearing the end of his talk our presenter asked, “What is the difference between information and misinformation in your life?” “What you believe,” one person answered. Professor Grippe quoted Socrates, “One doesn’t go and claim that one has the truth, one tries to find out what can’t be the truth.” Our presenter explained that the idea here is that we have to be willing to do a process of elimination, to throw out those things that just can’t work, and be brave enough to do that in our own lives, and maybe that’s where we start to find the truth, or at least get closer to it. In closing Professor Grippe told us that he hoped he spurred on enough of the issue to go and have the audience members begin what is called the Socratic Method in their lives, to be willing to question things, and therefore be willing to be able to see what can’t be the case, and start to look at what is closer to the truth through the process of elimination. “This is such a wonderful way of sharing information and having a sense of community, topics that we can share,” said one participant. We agree.
Edward J. Grippe received a Ph. D. in Philosophy from The City University of New York, Graduate Center. He was a Professor of Philosophy and Ethics at Norwalk Community College, and currently, Professor Emeritus. He also is an Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Bedford Hill Correctional Facility. He has served as Chair of Norwalk Community College’s Humanities Department, and is a board member of the Pawling NY Central Schools District. He has worked as an ethical consultant and was Vice Chair of his town’s Ethics Board. He has authored a book, Richard Rorty’s New Pragmatism: Neither Liberal Nor Free [Continuum 2007], as well as several articles on Richard Rorty’s pragmatism, Plato, applied ethics, and democratic governance. He has served as Subscription Editor for the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Moderator, for the Society for Philosophy in Contemporary World, Organizer of Norwalk CC’s Great Ideas Days, Co-organizer for the Society for the Study of Life Ethics, and has worked as a Civic Reflection Facilitator at various institutions. (Bio provided by our presenter.)
The Pawling Library is very grateful to Edward J. Grippe for his contribution in leading our first discussion, and sharing his intelligence and kindness with us. We thank Gabrielle Semel of Pawling Yoga & Wellness, the creator of Come Together Pawling, for partnering with our library so that we may bring to our community this thought-provoking forum.
Our next Come Together Pawling will take place on Monday, September 13th from 7-8 pm. Following the viewing of the TED TALK video How Trees Talk to Each Other will be a discussion led by Jay Erickson.
