Aaron Lawler
Aaron Lawler uses books by popular Illinois authors to explore common philosophical questions about self and purpose and help audiences reflect on their own personal stories.
Aaron is part anthropologist, part experimenter, part storyteller, and part philosopher – all of which fuel his passion for learning, education, and the humanities. As a Road Scholar, Aaron hopes to pay forward the incredible wisdom and life-changing ideas that his mentors shared with him.
Presentation 1 of 2
Available
You are a Story: Illinois Novelist Ray Bradbury Teaches Us About Who We Are
The big questions that we have all asked at some point in our lives – “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?”, “What does it all mean?”, and so on – are often addressed in the realms of philosophy, poetry, and psychology. The quest for these answers is a major force in human life. This workshop/presentation examines the intersection of philosophy, poetry, and psychology to see what attracts us to the quest for meaning and purpose, while also investigating how this quest affects the way we live. This exploration will provide new and fascinating insights into the human experience while encouraging participants to keep asking questions about human nature.
The presentation/workshop is split into three interactive parts: personal identity, reflections becoming reality, and learning as transformation. Participants will explore work and ideas from VS Ramachandran, Elizabeth Loftus, David Parfit, John Locke, and Ray Bradbury.
Program Logistics
The presentation takes approximately 60 minutes. No equipment is necessary.
Presentation 2 of 2
Available
Learning is Your Arc: Illinois Novelist, Ernest Hemingway, Teaches Us About Who We Are
We are natural-born learners, and we learn through story. Everything, from history and art to science and economics, is framed in story. Another way to say this – we seek qualitative answers, not just quantitative ones. Story is a way for people to understand their meaning and purpose in the world. In this workshop, participants will develop this framework of story as a way of learning through literary models in order to understand who they are and the world around them.
Story gives us answers to life’s most challenging questions such as “Why we are here?” and “What happens after we die?” The intersections of philosophy, poetry, and psychology provide a sense of comfort and community.
The presentation/workshop is split into three interactive parts: the hero archetype, Hemingway’s hero, and chasing your better self. Participants will explore work and ideas from Joseph Campell, Maureen Murdock, Goethe, Ernest Hemingway, David Brooks, Carol Dweck.
Program Logistics
The presentation takes approximately 60 minutes. No equipment is necessary.
Bio
Dr. Aaron Lawler is an assistant professor of humanities at Waubonsee Community College with nearly 20 years of experience as an educator. He is a researcher at Chicago’s Field Museum, a lifelong member of the National Geographic Society, and a classically trained painter. Aaron has dedicated his personal and professional lives to the humanities as a thinker, a writer, an artist, and a lover of culture and expression.
For Dr. Lawler, learning and education are sacred acts.
Learn More and Follow Aaron
Book this Road Scholar
Follow the steps below to book a presentation.
- Contact Aaron to schedule a date and time via email at alawler@waubonsee.edu or phone at (630) 220-9565.
- Once you and Aaron have agreed upon a date and time, complete the online Road Scholars Host Organization application.
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