Damon Horowitz: Philosophy in prison

Summary

The script narrates the transformative journey of Tony, a prisoner at San Quentin State Prison, who embarks on a philosophical quest for understanding right and wrong. Initially skeptical, Tony's engagement in philosophy class challenges his perception of morality. Through the exploration of ethics, logic, and philosophical concepts, he discovers a mental freedom that transcends his physical confinement, ultimately engaging in profound discussions with his professor, who sees him not as a convict but as a fellow philosopher.

Takeaways

• 📚 The story introduces Tony, a student in San Quentin State Prison, who is grappling with the concept of right and wrong.
• 🔫 Tony's life was drastically changed by a moment of poor judgment at the age of 16, leading to a life sentence for felony murder.
• 🏛 The script discusses the philosophical exploration of ethics in a prison setting, challenging the preconceived notions of right and wrong.
• 🤔 Tony's skepticism about learning ethics in prison is met with a deeper dive into the nature of wrongness and the pursuit of knowledge over opinion.
• 🧠 The narrative emphasizes the power of philosophy to stimulate thought and self-reflection, even in the most confined of circumstances.
• 💡 Tony's transformation is highlighted when he begins to engage with philosophical concepts, showing a desire to understand rather than just accept his situation.
• 📖 The script mentions key philosophical figures and concepts, such as Kant's 'moral law,' Heidegger's 'condition of existence,' and Socrates' 'examined life.'
• 🏋️‍♂️ Tony's intellectual growth is likened to building a 'philosophy muscle,' symbolizing the freedom of thought despite physical confinement.
• 🎓 The story illustrates Tony's academic progress, as he learns about various philosophical schools of thought and engages in critical thinking.
• 📝 Tony's final paper challenges the categorical imperative, suggesting a nuanced understanding of moral dilemmas and their complexities.
• 🤝 The conclusion underscores the moment of shared intellectual pursuit between the professor and Tony, transcending their roles and focusing on the love of wisdom.

Q & A

Who is Tony and what is his situation?

Tony is a student of the speaker and is incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison. He committed a crime at the age of 16 that resulted in a felony murder charge and a life sentence with the possibility of parole at the age of 50.

What pivotal moment in Tony's life led to his current predicament?

Tony's life changed when, at 16, he decided to use his mother's gun to scare a 'punk' who had stolen money. In a moment of peer pressure, he went through with the plan, which resulted in the punk being shot and Tony being charged with felony murder.

What is the significance of the phrase 'It was mom's gun. Just flash it, scare the guy'?

This phrase represents the impulsive and misguided decision Tony made, which had severe and lasting consequences. It highlights the moment of poor judgment that led to his current imprisonment.

How does Tony feel about his identity and the perception of others?

Tony feels branded as 'wrong' due to his status as a convict. He is aware that even if he were to leave prison, the mark of his past actions would always be associated with his name.

What is the main focus of the philosophy class taught by the speaker?

The philosophy class focuses on the foundations of ethics, encouraging students to question and understand the nature of right and wrong beyond personal opinions and societal labels.

What does Tony initially think about the concept of right and wrong?

Initially, Tony believes he knows what is wrong because he has done wrong and is constantly reminded of it by his environment and the people around him.

What challenge does the speaker pose to Tony regarding his understanding of wrongness?

The speaker challenges Tony to go beyond examples of wrong actions and to define the concept of wrongness itself, questioning what makes something wrong and how we can know it is wrong.

What transformation occurs in Tony after engaging with the philosophy class?

Tony's engagement with philosophy leads him to question his own beliefs and understanding of right and wrong. He becomes open to the idea that he might be wrong about what he thinks he knows and expresses a desire to truly understand the concepts.

How does Tony's participation in the philosophy class affect his perception of himself and his situation?

Tony's participation in the philosophy class helps him see beyond his convict identity. His mind becomes free to explore and question, allowing him to engage in intellectual pursuits despite his physical confinement.

What philosophical concepts does Tony learn and apply in his final paper?

Tony learns about various philosophical concepts, including the categorical imperative, and in his final paper, he argues that it might be too uncompromising for everyday conflicts, challenging the speaker on the implications of moral failure.

What does the speaker suggest when Tony challenges the speaker with his final paper?

The speaker acknowledges the complexity of the issue and invites further thought and discussion, emphasizing the philosophical pursuit of knowledge over certainty.

What is the final message conveyed by the speaker about the power of philosophy?

The speaker conveys that philosophy has the power to transcend labels and circumstances, allowing individuals like Tony to engage in deep thought and questioning, regardless of their background or situation.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Philosophy Behind Bars

The script introduces Tony, a student and inmate at San Quentin State Prison, who is grappling with the concept of right and wrong after committing a crime at the age of 16. The narrative captures the transformative power of philosophy as Tony engages with ethical discussions in his prison philosophy class. His initial skepticism about the relevance of ethics to his life is challenged by the professor's insistence on the pursuit of knowledge over opinion. Tony's journey illustrates the idea that even within the confines of a prison, the mind can explore complex philosophical concepts and seek understanding beyond personal experiences.

Keywords

💡San Quentin State Prison

San Quentin State Prison is a maximum-security prison in California, known for its historical significance and high-profile inmates. In the video, it serves as the setting for Tony's life, illustrating the harsh reality of incarceration and its impact on his philosophical journey.

💡Felony murder

Felony murder is a legal doctrine that holds a person criminally responsible for a death that occurs during the commission of certain serious crimes, even if they did not directly cause the death. The script mentions this concept to explain the severity of Tony's crime and the life sentence he faces.

💡Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In the video, philosophy is presented as a transformative tool for Tony, allowing him to question his past actions and explore the concepts of right and wrong.

💡Ethics

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with moral principles and values. The video script discusses the foundations of ethics in the context of Tony's personal development, as he grapples with his past and seeks to understand moral concepts.

💡Wrongness

Wrongness, in the context of the video, refers to the moral or ethical incorrectness of an action. Tony's struggle with the concept of wrongness is central to his philosophical journey, as he seeks to understand the nature of his past actions and their consequences.

💡Categorical imperative

The categorical imperative is a moral principle formulated by Immanuel Kant, stating that one should act only according to that maxim by which they can at the same time will that it should become a universal law. In the script, Tony challenges the applicability of this principle to everyday moral conflicts, prompting further philosophical discussion.

💡Philosophical muscle

This phrase metaphorically describes Tony's intellectual capacity and his ability to engage deeply with philosophical concepts. Despite his physical confinement, his 'philosophical muscle' allows him to explore complex ideas and question his beliefs.

💡Ontologically promiscuous

Ontologically promiscuous is a term used in the script to describe a philosophical approach that is not committed to a single ontological perspective. It reflects the diversity of philosophical thought that Tony encounters in his studies.

💡Epistemologically anxious

Epistemologically anxious refers to a state of uncertainty or doubt regarding knowledge claims. In the context of the video, it may represent Tony's initial skepticism or his growing awareness of the complexities of knowledge as he studies philosophy.

💡Ethically dubious

Ethically dubious describes actions or principles that are questionable from a moral standpoint. The script uses this term to characterize some of the philosophical ideas Tony encounters, which challenge his understanding of morality.

💡Metaphysically ridiculous

Metaphysically ridiculous is a term used to describe philosophical concepts that may seem absurd or nonsensical when considering metaphysical questions. The script employs humor to convey the sometimes counterintuitive nature of metaphysical inquiry.

💡The examined life

The examined life is a concept attributed to Socrates, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and critical thinking in one's life. In the video, this idea is presented as a guiding principle for Tony's philosophical exploration and personal growth.

Highlights

Introduction of Tony, a student in San Quentin State Prison

Tony's crime at age 16 - using his mom's gun to scare a thief, resulting in murder

Tony's sentence - 25 years to life, possible parole at 50

Tony's struggle with the label of 'wrong' and feeling unworthy of learning ethics

The professor challenging Tony to think beyond examples to understand the concept of wrongness

Emphasizing the importance of knowledge over opinions in philosophy

Tony's realization of the value of philosophy in understanding right and wrong

Philosophy as a project of questioning beliefs and the examined life, inspired by Socrates

Tony's intellectual growth through studying philosophy in prison

Tony's philosophical insights, such as questioning the categorical imperative

The professor's humility in admitting uncertainty and inviting further thought

The transformative power of philosophy to bridge differences and foster understanding

The moment of connection between the professor and Tony as equals in philosophical inquiry

The applause at the end signifying the audience's appreciation for the story and its message

Transcripts

Meet Tony. He's my student.

He's about my age,

and he's in San Quentin State Prison.

When Tony was 16 years old,

one day, one moment,

"It was mom's gun.

Just flash it, scare the guy. He's a punk.

He took some money; we'll take his money. That'll teach him.

Then last minute, I'm thinking, 'Can't do this. This is wrong.'

My buddy says, 'C'mon, let's do this.'

I say, 'Let's do this.'"

And those three words, Tony's going to remember,

because the next thing he knows, he hears the pop.

There's the punk on the ground, puddle of blood.

And that's felony murder --

25 to life, parole at 50 if you're lucky,

and Tony's not feeling very lucky.

So when we meet in my philosophy class in his prison

and I say, "In this class, we will discuss the foundations of ethics,"

Tony interrupts me.

"What are you going to teach me about right and wrong?

I know what is wrong. I have done wrong.

I am told every day,

by every face I see, every wall I face, that I am wrong.

If I ever get out of here, there will always be a mark by my name.

I'm a convict; I am branded 'wrong.'

What are you going to tell me about right and wrong?"

So I say to Tony,

"Sorry, but it's worse than you think.

You think you know right and wrong?

Then can you tell me what wrong is?

No, don't just give me an example.

I want to know about wrongness itself, the idea of wrong.

What is that idea?

What makes something wrong?

How do we know that it's wrong? Maybe you and I disagree.

Maybe one of us is wrong about the wrong.

Maybe it's you, maybe it's me -- but we're not here to trade opinions;

everyone's got an opinion.

We are here for knowledge.

Our enemy is thoughtlessness. This is philosophy."

And something changes for Tony.

"Could be I'm wrong. I'm tired of being wrong.

I want to know what is wrong.

I want to know what I know."

What Tony sees in that moment is the project of philosophy,

the project that begins in wonder --

what Kant called "admiration and awe

at the starry sky above and the moral law within."

What can creatures like us know of such things?

It is the project that always takes us back to the condition of existence --

what Heidegger called "the always already there."

It is the project of questioning what we believe and why we believe it --

what Socrates called "the examined life."

Socrates, a man wise enough to know that he knows nothing.

Socrates died in prison,

his philosophy intact.

So Tony starts doing his homework.

He learns his whys and wherefores, his causes and correlations,

his logic, his fallacies.

Turns out, Tony's got the philosophy muscle.

His body is in prison, but his mind is free.

Tony learns about the ontologically promiscuous,

the epistemologically anxious,

the ethically dubious, the metaphysically ridiculous.

That's Plato, Descartes, Nietzsche

and Bill Clinton.

So when he gives me his final paper,

in which he argues that the categorical imperative

is perhaps too uncompromising

to deal with the conflict that affects our everyday

and challenges me to tell him

whether therefore we are condemned to moral failure,

I say, "I don't know.

Let us think about that."

Because in that moment, there's no mark by Tony's name;

it's just the two of us standing there.

It is not professor and convict,

it is just two minds ready to do philosophy.

And I say to Tony,

"Let's do this."

Thank you.

(Applause)