Post 2

a) The area of influence on American thought that is exemplified in the Genius Reserve is Native American Philosophy. The main theme that is present in Native American philosophy is nature and man's interaction with things around him.This branch of philosophy focuses on nature and man's connection which is the aim of the Genius Reserve. The aim of the Genius Reserve is to preserve "19th century Florida" or as it is described "Old Florida'. It is described as returning to a previous time, when industralization had not taken over Winter Park. As Charles Morse understand the importance and "therapeutic value of nature to humans - that it could provide a sanitary experience that will inspire and restore the observer; that it offers a valuable escape from the push of urban existence" (Matrazzo 3).It aims to preserve this in order for people to learn from the land and from the plants and other parts of nature surrounding them. It was also created to restore the flora and fauna of America, which was being depleted in order to make Winter Park a metropolitan area. It holds many exotic plants and natve plants. As Native American philosophy, believes that man should connect with nature and use it to source knowledge, the Genius Reserve also echoes this philosophy as it places high emphasis on preserving nature instead of industrializing. It can be considered as a natural haven to get away from the metropolitan area of Winter Park. The Genius Reserve also aims to educate its visitors

b) When considering Hamilton Holt and his philosophy on education, which was to abandon all the traditional methods of teaching, by approaching education at the tertiary level from a different perspective. He believed that teaching should be interactive and that students and teachers should be engaging one another with their ideas. He did not believe in the method of recitation was the best one, as he found what he learned during his college years was impractical and useless when he entered the working world as a magazine editor. This can be related to the readings on European Philosophy, focusing on the theory of Empiricism. The basis of empiricism is that all knowledge is attained through one's experiences. The ideas of Empiricism are reflected in Hamilton's belief that students learnt better through interaction between the professor and the students. He refused to allow more than 700 students to enter the school as he believed learning was more effective in smaller groups. This idea can be mirrored with empiricism as one's learning experience is more effective when things are personalized and interactive, instead of recitation.

When examining western philosophy and its various disciplines, and more specifically the area of ethics which is seen with Hamilton's education practices. Holt believed that learning was more effective when it was revamped in such a way that it was interactive learning experience for both the professor and the students. He placed high value on one on one interactions between professor and their students, and he looked out for the best interests of everyone which can be seen in the theory of Utilitarianism.