Session 1

Discussion of the structure and format of the course - no lectures, structured like a graduate seminar.

Anecdotes regarding how ideas are transmitted and received, and how old ideas can seed new ones (i.e. creativity).

Discussion of professor's "Nature of Love" trilogy: difference between bestowal and appraisal.

The Harmony of Nature and Spirit: The nature of imagination, and the nature of idealization.

Beethoven as an example of "mad genius" - the idea of genius/creativity as a work or channel of God. Is God the only creative being in the universe?

Koestler's idea of creativity as a function of bisociation, yoking together different matrices. Role of the unconscious - is creativity a function of dreams?

Discussion of Three Philosophical Filmmakers.

How does time affect learning and the ability to teach? Discussion of Professor's teaching style.

"Mute and Inglorious Miltons" - how many geniuses go undiscovered? How many never had the opportunity to bring out their genius?

Course Administrativa - discussion of course times and dates, Professor's index card system.