2022-06 Monthly Goals

Some goals to achieve this month:

Academic

1. Finalize the draft for my research paper –> Finalize the draft for Prof Someya this month

Books

1. Continue reading Socrates’ Children Vol. II (Kreeft) –> Start reading Vol. III by the end of June
2. Continue reading The First Jesuits (O’Malley)

Sports

1. Walk to church to join the early Mass (1-hour walk)

Afterthoughts (July 3rd, 2022)

1. I finalized the first draft and am now working on the second draft after receiving much feedback from all research collaborators (primarily for Introduction and the Results part). I would say this is a task well-done. My advisor, Prof. Someya, also shared an uncommon chunk of his busy schedule to supervise the work even by elaborating on his guideline for writing the Introduction part — the battleground part as we call it. Prof. Kobayashi noted that some parts of my writings were non-academic. This feedback is another treasure, as I am building logic as one of my ‘ foundations.’
2. I finished reading Medieval Philosophers (Vol. II of Kreeft’s series) and even reached Immanuel Kant (Vol. III). Reading on Hume was not easy, but knowing such an ingenious epistemology and metaphysics take great pleasure. It took me the whole weekend to try to counter his arguments, but I have not been able to solidly counter using his principles. As I even dreamt of arguing with his ideas, which was a very pleasant dream, I would fancy pouring some efforts into writing a Humean critique of Hume sort of treatise. Let’s see if I learn enough in a near future! Meanwhile, Kant is another difficult thinker to talk with (reading now feels more like an argument with these great persons!).
3. Reading on The First Jesuits has somehow stalled. However, since I heard of him again from Fr. Dieters, who happened to be his friend (they entered the Society on the same date!), today, I felt some sparks rekindled in my heart. I know there was joy when I was reading it. This reading project, I will continue!
4. I walked to St. Ignatius once by walking. It was an enjoyable walk. Though the heat in Tokyo has been mind-blowing these few days, so I decided to opt for commuting by train again. But I will have this restarted when the condition allows.

Other notes, mostly on books:

1. I reopened the case for Latin! I finished two books of Latin geared for British elementary schools, called Minimus (Barbara Bell). It was very easy to follow and there were some enriching Greek mythologies and Roman customs I learned. I noticed the similarity of Roman practice to put a necklace with a medal on their newborns with the medal given in Baptism or other basic Sacraments.
2. That being said, I continued Latin by restarting William Most’s Latin by the Natural Method at the end of June. This time, I plan to go easy and slow. Continuity now seems to be more returning than a series of square-function impulses.
3. I finished reading Chesterton’s The Man who was Thursday. A metaphysics thriller in nature, I enjoyed almost every sentence written. I still need to digest its most metaphysics-rich chapter (“The Six Philosophers”), but I was surprised with how involved and profound Chesterton designed the world. This is another thriller that penetrated even my dream. A Saturday well-spent.
4. Finished Essential Words for the GRE through Anki. I haven’t faithfully reviewed it these two weeks, but it was worth learning as I started to notice some words appearing in my readings.
5. I submitted presentation abstracts for two conferences: JSAP and FSE!