philosophy
ian dyball
Academic Background
After gaining first degrees in Music and Philosophy, Ian went on to gain his Masters in Philosophy with a dissertation entitled ' The Conflict of Intuitional Self and Logical No-Self'. In it he argued, with Hume, that there was no real self to be found. This early thinking has been a fundamental influence on Dyballian philosophy ever since.
After gaining endorsement from Professor Garry Hagberg, Ian was accepted as a PhD student at the University of East Anglia. His research centres on the awareness states, and the conscious and unconscious actions, observed or inferred between the practice and performance of complex action. A provisional thesis, in line with his general philosophy, is that 'ultimate performance requires a complete absence of self' and thus, along with providing a comprehensive analysis regarding the formulation of expertise, the nature of self and personal identity is in question.
Research at the UEA had been a cross-discipline affair involving the Schools of Philosophy (with interest in mind and personal identity) and Music (with interest in virtuosity) and with added help from Psychology (chiefly regarding procedural and declarative knowledge). Unfortunately the early departure of Garry Hagberg to the United States, along with the closure of the UEA Music School (and a coinciding three-fold increase in fees!) meant that Ian left the UEA after two years. He continues research in the field and hopes to complete via publication. However, his motivations have changed...
After gaining endorsement from Professor Garry Hagberg, Ian was accepted as a PhD student at the University of East Anglia. His research centres on the awareness states, and the conscious and unconscious actions, observed or inferred between the practice and performance of complex action. A provisional thesis, in line with his general philosophy, is that 'ultimate performance requires a complete absence of self' and thus, along with providing a comprehensive analysis regarding the formulation of expertise, the nature of self and personal identity is in question.
Research at the UEA had been a cross-discipline affair involving the Schools of Philosophy (with interest in mind and personal identity) and Music (with interest in virtuosity) and with added help from Psychology (chiefly regarding procedural and declarative knowledge). Unfortunately the early departure of Garry Hagberg to the United States, along with the closure of the UEA Music School (and a coinciding three-fold increase in fees!) meant that Ian left the UEA after two years. He continues research in the field and hopes to complete via publication. However, his motivations have changed...
Motivation
A particular Rutgers-Arché conference attendance at the University of St. Andrews proved to be a motivational turning point. Increasingly discouraged by the seemingly elitist and isolated world of contemporary academic philosophy, Ian has campaigned for the real-world application of philosophical endeavour and in particular for a course of basic concepts to be included within the UK school curriculum.
'Some philosophy conferences have unfortunately become inflated pedestals on which Professors Peacock and Peahen like to compete by fanning out their intellectual feathers… As impressive as those particular feathers may look, they weigh far too heavily for the arguments to be able to gain any useful height. ' - Ian Dyball
'I was unfortunate enough to have attended a conference entitled 'Philosophy as Therapy' and sympathised with a member of the NHS who had been brave enough to ask a question of the speaker. The construction of the answer acted as testament to the huge void that exists between the acknowledgeable meaning of the words 'philosophy as therapy' and the speaker's own interpretation. She was obviously very keen on Wittgenstein and wasn't to be deviated…' - Ian Dyball
(See this recent BBC article on Philosophy in Schools)
And here Dr. Sara Goering talks about the value of philosophy for children:
'Some philosophy conferences have unfortunately become inflated pedestals on which Professors Peacock and Peahen like to compete by fanning out their intellectual feathers… As impressive as those particular feathers may look, they weigh far too heavily for the arguments to be able to gain any useful height. ' - Ian Dyball
'I was unfortunate enough to have attended a conference entitled 'Philosophy as Therapy' and sympathised with a member of the NHS who had been brave enough to ask a question of the speaker. The construction of the answer acted as testament to the huge void that exists between the acknowledgeable meaning of the words 'philosophy as therapy' and the speaker's own interpretation. She was obviously very keen on Wittgenstein and wasn't to be deviated…' - Ian Dyball
(See this recent BBC article on Philosophy in Schools)
And here Dr. Sara Goering talks about the value of philosophy for children:
thephilosopher.co.uk is a brand new site that allows people to engage in all kinds of friendly philosophical discussion. The tag line is 'simply asking difficult questions'. It is certainly early days yet but, as they say, 'the site will grow with your thoughts' :)