Bowling Green: A Night of Philosophy and Fun
On a chilly evening in Bowling Green, the Western Kentucky University (WKU) Philosophy Club hosted its annual “Dead Philosophers Haunted Tour” at Cherry Hall. This event, a unique blend of education and entertainment, attracted students looking to learn a little more about philosophy, have fun, or score some extra credit for their classes.
Ghostly Philosophers Come to Life
The tour started at 6 p.m., with club members dressed in ghostly costumes representing seven famous philosophers. The atmosphere was lively and a touch eerie as students were ushered through the classrooms by participants dressed as grim reapers and Greek ghouls.
Among the philosophers brought to life were Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and the Oracle of Delphi Pythia. Each character delivered a short speech sharing their thoughts and beliefs, while also offering treats to the visitors.
A Fun Way to Engage with Philosophy
Michael Seidler, a philosophy professor who dressed as a plague doctor, expressed that the event is not just meant for entertainment. “It’s a way for us to have some fun and also spread the word about the program and our courses, and maybe recruit some people as minors and majors,” he said. This event has been a tradition for the club for over six years and seems to grow more popular each year.
Student Involvement
Landon Elkind, another philosophy professor and the club’s faculty advisor, emphasized that the students took the lead in planning the event. “I booked the rooms and I went to Walmart to get the candy, but otherwise they did the costumes,” he explained. According to Elkind, students wrote the scripts and decided how to present the material, giving them full credit for the event’s success.
Costumes and Engagement
Club presidents Eliza Marsh and Kayla Kean participated as Margaret MacDonald and Pythia, respectively. Their creativity and enthusiasm helped to create an immersive experience for attendees. Many students attended for various reasons, including the chance to receive extra credit for their classes. Participants signed in and filled out quizzes as they made their way through the tour, making it both fun and educational.
Freshman student Nora Justice, majoring in sociology and forensic psychology, said, “I’m here getting extra credit for my history class.” Fellow student Jaden Min, an English major, joined Justice to enjoy the event with friends.
Continued Activities
The Philosophy Club meets regularly, every Monday at 6 p.m. in Cherry Hall Room 316. Beyond the haunted tour, the club engages students through thought experiments and even organizes a spring student conference. This allows philosophy enthusiasts to continue exploring important questions and ideas beyond the Halloween season.
The “Dead Philosophers Haunted Tour” underscored the club’s commitment to engaging students in fun and meaningful ways. It reflects WKU’s vibrant campus culture, where education intertwines with creativity, making learning a lively experience for everyone involved.
