Surround Yourself with Experts (The Undergraduate Research Symposium)
This past weekend, I had the honor of participating in Loyola Marymount's Undergraduate Research Symposium. It is a great event run by the university that allows students across all disciplines to present their research in a public setting. Typically, this is an all-day event that is held throughout University Hall. However, due to the closure of campus, it was held virtually this year, and it was still a great experience.
I presented a philosophy paper that I wrote last semester entitled, "An Ontological A Posterior Demonstration." I have attached a copy of it below, but it is filled with some technical terminology which might make it difficult to read. The paper centers around an argument that when one hears someone say, "that than which nothing greater can be thought," he understands and knows that God exists. I explore whether or not this is the case.
However, my paper is not why I am writing about the symposium. I am writing about it because it was just a really cool event. The session included other students who had written incredible papers, my faculty mentor (who I interviewed last year), other members of the philosophy faculty, and a variety of other attendees.
It was nerve-racking, yet exhilarating, to present the paper in front of such amazing philosophy scholars and to field questions from them. It reminded me of the importance of pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. It was also a joy to discuss fundamental truths with the incredible intellect of the faculty present.
I would encourage you to put yourself out there. Find experts in your field and interact with them. So much can be learned through observing the great figures in any discipline. And, if you have the courage, present your work to them. If they take a look at it, it will almost surely be critiqued, and that is a good thing. Take joy in knowing that they care enough to provide you with feedback. Your future pursuits will benefit from it.
It can be frightening to surround yourself with people who are experts, great leaders, smarter than you, wiser than you, and more talented than you. However, I have found that it is the best way to live. You will never lack inspiration with so much talent around you. You will not get complacent with the culture of achievement. Your life will be full of curiosity, wonder, and a constant yearning for more. Not more things, but rather more life.
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