Feature Story

Standing in front of 40 people at the Eugene Library, Paul Bodins' voice resonates as he poses the question, "What does it mean to be happy?"  Bodin has been leading philosophical group discussions with his colleague Caroline Lundquist at the Eugene Public Library since he retired from teaching middle school 10 years ago.

 In addition to orchestrating these discussions, Bodin attends 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade classrooms and guides them through philosophical conversations. These conversations include specific questions from all branches of philosophy including, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and more.

Bodin considers open discussions to be vital to learning. Encouraging individuals to learn from each other and engage in open dialogue about a particular topic allows them to actively process the information instead of just receiving it. “The best way to learn is to be uncomfortable and discussions can be uncomfortable,” said Sydney Montegue, a history student at the University of Oregon. 

Taking part in these conversations aids students in critical thinking, asking questions, and delving into alternative viewpoints. “We are not there just to impart knowledge, we’re there to get them to collaborate,” Bodin said. His work reflects a strong passion for teaching, though it wasn’t his primary goal in life.  

Bodin grew up in Southern California and pursued a college education in music. While pursuing his passion for music, he slowly gravitated to music and movement for children and then began his career in middle school teaching. Bodin discovered his true passion as an educator, realizing the vital role of philosophical discussion in his teaching approach. “A good teacher doesn’t come in with a generated curriculum in advance, they improvise according to the way the discussion moves,” Bodin said. 

One poignant memory for Bodin revolves around a climate discussion where a member of a local tribe shared, “There is no distance that separates humans and the natural world.” Bodin believes that philosophical discussions can guide people to talk about major world events like climate change. As he continues to navigate these philosophical landscapes, he remains dedicated to his mission to empower individuals and communities through the exploration of life's questions.