What we’re about
The Existentialist Society is for those who question whether life has a meaning and a purpose. And for those who despairingly ponder whether one can live without self-deception or without hedonistic escapism. Yet who, despite the anguish of life's futility and meaninglessness, still seek purpose and an authentic existence.
The Existentialist Society is for those who are fascinated by the ideas of Simone de Beauvoir, Nicholas Berdyaev, Martin Buber, Rudolph Bultmann, Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Viktor Frankl, Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Franz Kafka, Nikos Kazantzakis, Soren Kierkegaard, R.D. Laing, Gabriel Marcel, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, Max Stirner, Paul Tillich, Colin Wilson, etc.
'Existentialism' is an umbrella term covering diverse and often conflicting schools of thought. Consequently we are not agreed on who or what is an Existentialist; we simply agree to disagree.
Inspired by the Student Revolt of the late Sixties, the Existentialist Society commenced in 1971.
LECTURES take place at 2pm on the first Saturday of the month.
All are welcome. Participation is free.
NOTE: Due to the pandemic, our physical in-person Meetups and lectures were cancelled. All the lectures are now online via Zoom. This enables participation by those interstate and overseas.
Following our monthly lecture, during the extended question and discussion period, additional comments are encouraged from those of our participants who might have more knowledge than the speaker on particular aspects of the topic, as well as from those who have an alternative viewpoint.
Sometimes our lecture topics have no direct bearing upon Existentialism. The speakers on such topics may or may not be conversant with Existentialism.
The Existentialist Society has no formal membership, so there is no membership fee.
See the Existentialist Society website for future lectures, past transcripts and videos etc: www.existentialistmelbourne.org
Facebook: Please feel free to comment on the lectures: - www.facebook.com/Existentialist-Society-866984573402226/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Responding to Misinformation: The Role of Critical Thinking and PhilosophyLink visible for attendees
ATHEIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
James Fodor (Rationalist Society of Australia)
will present the topic and lead the discussion."The Role of Philosophy and Critical Thinking in Responding to Misinformation."
The ZOOM link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 847 3897 4956 - - Passcode: 804801The Atheist Society welcomes ALL viewpoints, including criticism of Atheism.
Enquiries: atheist7agnostic@gmail.com
Facebook and Website for past and future Atheist Society topics, etc.
This event is in conjunction with the Progressive Atheists Inc
- Existenzphilosophie: The Philosophy of ExistenceLink visible for attendees
EXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Brian Nelson will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Wikipedia's entry on the Philosophy of Existence
Existentialist Society's Website
The ZOOM LINK will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 857 8462 5687 - - Passcode: 779207 - The Battles for Our Beliefs: Echoes of the Reformation in Today's WorldLink visible for attendees
AGNOSTICS GROUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
Remco Van Santen will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"The Battles for Our Beliefs: Echoes of the Reformation in Today's World."
Remco will take us on a journey, exploring the profound similarities between historical events around the time of the Reformation and contemporary global dynamics. The presentation delves into how the Church's once unassailable dominance over knowledge and societal norms during the Middle Ages began to wane from the mid-15th century, undermined by technological advancements and powerful agents of change.
Marked by the Reformation, this period led to a significant shift in power from religious institutions to emerging nation-states, culminating in an extremely violent Thirty Years' War and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire – where flags replaced the crosses.Remarkable parallels will be drawn between this historic transformation and today's political landscape, where reduced trust in democratic institutions echoes the past's challenges to established authority. He will examine contemporary examples, contrasting political leadership styles and the plight of individuals advocating for the democratisation of knowledge, with similar historical figures and events.
The presentation suggests that these parallels point towards a potentially turbulent future, possibly impacting modern institutions like the United Nations in ways reminiscent of the Holy Roman Empire's fate.
Through this exploration, Remco emphasises the importance of historical understanding in interpreting and navigating current and future societal challenges, inviting us to reflect on how the lessons from the past can inform our approach to contemporary figures and relevant issues.The Agnostics Group discusses the pros and cons of Agnosticism.
They welcome ALL viewpoints, including criticism of Agnosticism.Past and future Agnostics Group topics
Agnostics Group's FacebookThe ZOOM Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 851 4123 4401 - - Passcode: 226897 - The Persian Empire's TrinityLink visible for attendees
EXISTENTIALIST MEETUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Our monthly online Meetup presentation on the History of Religion.
The presentations are followed by questions, comments and discussion.
All viewpoints welcome.Early Religion: An Alternative History
What do the historians and archaeologists think of the veracity of religious legends? Legends are an amalgamation of history and mythology. But how much of each?"THE PERSIAN EMPIRE'S TRINITY"
The Persian Empire (549-330 BC) had swallowed Babylon (539 BC) and Egypt (525 BC). The culture and religions of those ancient civilisations influenced the Empire.
During the reign of Artaxerxes II (404-358 BC) major changes occurred in the Empire's Zoroastrian religion. Temple-worship commenced and a Trinity was formed: The Holy Family (Father, Mother and Son).
Were those changes provoked by the Queen Mother, Parysatis, who worshipped the Babylonian Goddess, Ishtar?
And what about the Zurvanite 'heresy'? Zurvan (Time, Infinity, Eternity) has similarities with the Hindu concept of Brahma (Father of the gods; a god beyond the gods).We will be looking at A History of Zoroastrianism Vol.2 by Mary Boyce,
Emeritus Professor of Iranian Studies, University of London.David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Background information for those interested:
Wikipedia's entry on Artaxerxes II(A question we will deal with at a future date: - Was it the Egyptian or the Persian Trinity which influenced Christianity? And if so, why did the Christians neuter the Holy Mother into becoming the Holy Spirit?)
The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 836 3517 7179 - - Passcode: 132357Existentialist Society's Website