2008 Woodie Awards
USA students present paper at philosophy conference
Melissa Johnson
Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/8/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
University of South Alabama students Justin Litaker and Anthony Shiver, both philosophy majors and winners of the Alabama Philosophical Society's Undergraduate Essay Contest, presented their award-winning essays at the APS annual conference in Orange Beach, Ala., on Sept. 22.
Litaker and Shiver are the first students in the history of USA's philosophy department to win the contest, according to Dr. Ted Poston, professor of philosophy at the University of South Alabama and an officer of the Alabama Philosophical Society.
Shiver presented his second-place essay, "Weak Knowledge, Critical Thinking and Testimony in Education," at 9:15 a.m. and was followed by Litaker's presentation of his first-place essay, "Modal Realism and its Discontents."
Despite the "early" morning schedule, Litaker said there was a good turn out and the audience was eager to listen and learn. He said the warm atmosphere allowed him to be a lot more relaxed than he could have imagined.
Each presenter was allotted 35 minutes to deliver his/her presentations and was to account for enough time for a discussion period.
"Both Justin and Anthony did a fabulous job," said Poston.
Poston added that he was especially impressed with the way they responded to the question and answer portion.
"The Q-and-A time can be taunting at first," He said, "But Anthony and Justin both handled their questions very well."
Poston also commented that several philosophers present at the conference told him they enjoyed the undergraduate papers, and Litaker said he received compliments as well.
"It was ultimately the best conference experience I could have imagined for myself," Litaker said.
Litaker also added that he was pleased to see some USA Philosophy Club members in the audience. He said their support created a sense of community.
"It was nice to see South represented at a conference … it shows we have a good department and a great faculty that gives us the tools to succeed," Litaker said, " It's a reflection of the strength of the faculty and department as a whole."
This year marked first time in several years that the Alabama Philosophical Society has welcomed two undergraduate speakers, according to Torin Alter, University of Alabama professor of philosophy and the presiding president of the Alabama Philosophical Society. Normally, only one undergraduate speaker is invited to the conference every year.
"I think this speaks of the quality of submissions we received," Alter said.
Litaker and Shiver are the first students in the history of USA's philosophy department to win the contest, according to Dr. Ted Poston, professor of philosophy at the University of South Alabama and an officer of the Alabama Philosophical Society.
Shiver presented his second-place essay, "Weak Knowledge, Critical Thinking and Testimony in Education," at 9:15 a.m. and was followed by Litaker's presentation of his first-place essay, "Modal Realism and its Discontents."
Despite the "early" morning schedule, Litaker said there was a good turn out and the audience was eager to listen and learn. He said the warm atmosphere allowed him to be a lot more relaxed than he could have imagined.
Each presenter was allotted 35 minutes to deliver his/her presentations and was to account for enough time for a discussion period.
"Both Justin and Anthony did a fabulous job," said Poston.
Poston added that he was especially impressed with the way they responded to the question and answer portion.
"The Q-and-A time can be taunting at first," He said, "But Anthony and Justin both handled their questions very well."
Poston also commented that several philosophers present at the conference told him they enjoyed the undergraduate papers, and Litaker said he received compliments as well.
"It was ultimately the best conference experience I could have imagined for myself," Litaker said.
Litaker also added that he was pleased to see some USA Philosophy Club members in the audience. He said their support created a sense of community.
"It was nice to see South represented at a conference … it shows we have a good department and a great faculty that gives us the tools to succeed," Litaker said, " It's a reflection of the strength of the faculty and department as a whole."
This year marked first time in several years that the Alabama Philosophical Society has welcomed two undergraduate speakers, according to Torin Alter, University of Alabama professor of philosophy and the presiding president of the Alabama Philosophical Society. Normally, only one undergraduate speaker is invited to the conference every year.
"I think this speaks of the quality of submissions we received," Alter said.
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