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>But I also suspect that many students with little philosophy experience came away with the impression that this class represented what philosophy is, and that’s what disheartens me most.

Haven’t we all experienced a professor who was good in their field but couldn’t teach well, or was too much of a hardass?

Faculty ratings and ratemyprofessor are there for a reason.

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I don't think this story is about a teacher who isn't good at "just" the fundamental actions of teaching. It sounds like their actual skill and respect for the material is lacking. If your math professor couldn't prove the basic theorems he wanted you to memorize without referring to his authority, that, to me, would be a sign not that he was bad at explaining but that he was fundamentally unskilled in his field.

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