The Philosophy Enrichment Extension Program (PEEP) of the Philosophy Department at Saint Louis University (SLU) successfully conducted its near-to-end Lecture Series on 19 November 2025. The event welcomed its target participants—seminarians from Saint Francis Xavier Seminary—who visited SLU to engage in an enriching academic exchange. The seminarians attended a two-lecture series delivered by two distinguished faculty experts from the Department of Philosophy. These lectures provided not only philosophical insights but also opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and intellectual growth.
The esteemed speakers, Prof. Jonathan Florendo, PhD and Prof. Dennis M. Placido, PhD, delivered two significant and thought-provoking lectures that enriched the Philosophy Enrichment Extension Program (PEEP) series.
Prof. Florendo’s lecture, “John Dewey on Experience, Education, and Lifelong Growth,” emphasized the dynamic and spontaneous role of critical minds in understanding how education must be lived and experienced throughout the entire process of learning. He highlighted Dewey’s philosophy that education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge but a holistic journey aimed at the maximization of human growth. This growth, according to Dewey, must be experiential, participatory, and integrative—allowing learners to develop not only intellectually but also ethically and socially. Prof. Florendo underscored that education must cultivate the whole person, preparing individuals to engage meaningfully with themselves, others, and the broader community.
Complementing this discussion, Prof. Placido presented his lecture, “Reflections on a Resilient, Empowered Youth of Today through the Lens of Stoic and Heideggerian Spirit.” His talk provided a nuanced exploration of the concept of resiliency, integrating insights from both Stoic philosophy and Heideggerian existential thought. He clarified that resilience does not mean passive acceptance or surrender to circumstances. Instead, it embodies an active stance—an empowered response to challenges that motivates individuals to create action and transformation.
Drawing from Heidegger’s notion of Dasein (being-in-the-world), Prof. Placido emphasized that resilience entails ethical responsibility: to oneself, to others, and to the environment. This perspective portrays resilience as a relational and communal virtue, not merely an individual trait. It calls for a deeper awareness of our interconnectedness and the moral obligations that arise from our shared existence.
This intellectual exchange not only enriched the seminarians’ understanding of philosophy but also reinforced the mission of the Philosophy Department of Saint Louis University: to cultivate minds that are critical, compassionate, and committed to lifelong learning and service.
The lectures by Prof. Jonathan Florendo, PhD and Prof. Dennis M. Placido, PhD under the Philosophy Enrichment Extension Program (PEEP) embodied SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Together, in line with the CICM advocacy of dialogue, the two lectures created a powerful synergy. Dewey’s philosophy of experiential, spontaneous, and dynamic learning was shown to converge with the Stoic and Heideggerian vision of resilience. Both perspectives transcend traditional, rigid styles of education by advocating for a transformative approach—one that equips learners to face life’s complexities with critical insight, ethical responsibility, and holistic growth. (Article and Photos by NEOLOUPHIS)
