WT Great Book Series to Focus on Living Wisely in February Meeting

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - A multifaceted work about the difficulty of living a wise life is in the spotlight as West Texas A&M University's Great Books Series continues in February.

Dr. Laura Mueller, assistant professor of philosophy, will lead the discussion of Isaac Bashevis Singer's "The Spinoza of Market Street."

The story, published in 1961, pokes fun at philosophers who devote their lives only to their studies, Mueller said.

"It's a story about a philosopher who tries very hard to be wise and tries very hard to live a philosophically rational life, a blessed life. And yet, he doesn't do a very good job of it, even if he thinks he does," Mueller said. "I'm hoping the audience is ready to talk about Baruch Spinoza, one of my very favorite philosophers, and to ponder the questions Singer prompts: how do we live wisely, and who is the real fool?"

The Great Books discussion will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at Burrowing Owl Books's Amarillo location, 2461 W. Interstate 40 in Wolflin Square.

The discussion series-sponsored by the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities-is open to those who either have or haven't read the story, said organizer Dr. Daniel Bloom.

WT professors and guest lecturers lead the monthly Great Books discussions.

For information, email Bloom at [email protected].

Readers and writers also may be interested in the monthly meeting of the Burrowing Owl Poetry Circle, led by Dr. Pat Tyrer, WT's Jenny Lind Porter Professor of English.

At this monthly gathering, attendees can share their own works or those by others, or they can simply listen. The February meeting is set for 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at Burrowing Owl Books, 400 15th St. in Canyon.

For information, call 806-651-2476 or email [email protected].

The two series are ways in which WT serves the region by offering engagement with a variety of literary and philosophical texts. Being a learner-centered university is a key principle of the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign, which is now winding down, has raised more than $175 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men's and women's athletics programs.

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