Final answer:
The Parker Seminars are based on the idea that higher education, especially in philosophy, should transform student thought processes and encourage critical thinking. They emphasize the significance of students questioning their preexisting beliefs and adopting a more reflective approach to learning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The premise behind the Parker Seminars is rooted in the educational philosophy that teaching should not only convey knowledge but also encourage a transformative experience in students. This educational approach suggests that the goal of a course, particularly in the field of philosophy, extends beyond mere factual understanding to include changing the way students perceive the world.
These seminars aim to expose students to the pitfalls of everyday thinking and refine their analytical skills, making them more adept philosophy students. Inspired by reflective teaching experiences, the seminars suggest that if students finish the course with a questioning mindset, differing from their initial beliefs, the education process is successful. It underscores the importance of introspection and the reassessment of one's preconceptions in higher education.
The methods outlined in the Parker Seminars resonate with those used by public speakers throughout history, such as during the crusade call in 1095, to persuade and influence the audience's perspective and to promote critical engagement with the subject matter.