Student Spotlight - Christina Weinbaum

Christina Weinbaum 

Q: What is your current class standing and anticipated graduation date?

I am currently a senior and will be graduating in the spring 2018 semester.

Q: What are your major(s) and/or minor(s)?

I am majoring in Philosophy (with Honors), and last year I completed my Psychology major.

Q: Why did you choose to become a philosophy major?

During my first semester here at Brooklyn College, I got to take Introduction to Philosophy with Professor Nuzzo. She was such an incredible professor, and I immediately fell in love with philosophy because of her class. I was always excited to discuss the readings, and it was consistently the highlight of my week. When I got my final paper back, Professor Nuzzo wrote on the back that I should consider majoring or minoring in philosophy and at that point, I was sold. I have always loved thinking critically, having debates and discussions, and reading and writing, and philosophy is the perfect major for that.

Q: What are your goals for the future? Do you have plans to attend graduate school, or do you have a career in mind upon graduation? What type of career are you seeking upon graduation?

Upon graduating, I will be taking a year off to focus on applying to both Master's and Ph.D. programs in Philosophy. I'm hoping to be a professor of philosophy one day, and I'm really excited to inspire students the way my professors have inspired me.

Q: What are your interests in philosophy?

I'm primarily interested in Moral Psychology and Ethics because it's the perfect combination of Philosophy and Psychology, but I also really enjoy Philosophy of Language, and Metaphysics. I'm also hoping to do an independent study in Philosophy of Music because I love the questions that are asked in that field, and I'm super passionate about music.

Q: Who are your favorite philosophers?

The first philosopher that I fell in love with was Jean Paul Sartre; since then, I've also been a huge fan of Hegel, Rudolph Carnap, Willard Van Orman Quine, A.J. Ayer, Harry Frankfurt, John Martin Fischer, Miranda Fricker, and Jesse Prinz.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote by a philosopher?

"What is meant here by saying that existence precedes essence? It means first of all, man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself. If man, as the existentialist conceives him, is indefinable, it is because at first he is nothing. Only afterward will he be something, and he himself will have made what he will be."—Jean Paul Sartre, Existentialism Is a Humanism

Q: What is your favorite book in philosophy?

My favorite book in philosophy is not necessarily a book, but rather an essay that comes in book format. You can guess it is Existentialism Is a Humanism, by Jean Paul Sartre. The reason I love it so much is because I find his advocacy for the existentialist ideology to be executed so perfectly. I think we often worry so much about our essence that we forget our essence is nothing unless we are constantly molding it through our daily-lived experiences. The way that we choose to live out our lives is precisely what makes us who we are. If you exist well, if you live the type of life that you imagine would be ideal for another human being, then you are doing it right. It also helps that Sartre can truly charm and sway a person with his words.

Q: Have you had any recent accomplishments such as conferences you attended/presented at, awards/scholarships you have received, contests you have won, publications you have made, and so forth?

Last semester, I completed my first year as a fellow in the Mellon Mays Fellowship, and I was inducted into the International Honor Society of Philosophy (Phi Sigma Tau). More recently, I was accepted into the APA Pacific Division Conference in San Diego, where I will be presenting my research at a poster session.

Q: What are one or two fun facts about you?

1. I just recently started booking shows for and managing some really cool projects for a South Brooklyn DIY Music Collective called Basement Dwellers. In addition, I help book bands for The South Brooklyn Variety Show, which is an awesome radio show here at Brooklyn College.
2. Photography has been one of my biggest hobbies since I was 10 years old. I have done all types of photography, including photo shoots, event photography, and street photography, and I worked at a photography studio where I took family and baby portraits as well! If you ever need a photographer, you can count on me.