A wonderful introduction to newer ideas based on nonlinear dynamics, as well as knowledge from a large number of areas.  Powerful non-classical ideas for thinking about complexity, emergence, self-organizing systems, complex adaptive systems, wicked problems.
While the universe is nonlinear, linear thinking has dominated Western thought until the last few decades due in part to a lack of tools and ideas to deal with complexity.  However, a revolutionary paradigm shift began forming in math and science, which affects virtually all areas of knowledge. The blinding effect of classical, oversimplified models has a segregating effect, hiding the beauty, danger and power of complexity. Even among highly intelligent people, superstition- and propaganda-based myth and bigotry thrive in such an environment.  The small-scale act of individuals not seeing complexity accurately can have large-scale disastrous effects:
    "What luck for rulers that men do not think." - Adolf Hitler
To enable high-level rational discussions about problems whose very comprehension *requires* nonlinear thinking, we will develop a vocabulary of ideas that draws heavily upon recent but little-known advances in areas of nonlinear science including Chaos Theory, Complexity Theory, fractals (geometry and statistics), Network Science, Emergence.
Chaos Theory and Complexity Theory are not just theories but also facts -- much like Evolution.  Chaos in the mathematical sense is not "disorder" but "hidden order" -- something between order and disorder that eluded scientists and mathematicians until late last century.  They could see it, but they thought it was "randomness" and ignored something that turned out to be arguably as revolutionary in physics as Relativity and Quantum Mechanics.  However, Chaos applies to so many other areas of knowledge as well -- and not just at the large and small scales:  Chaos applies to EVERY scale, meaning it has much more significance in your life than those other huge breakthroughs.
No prior experience or mathematical background is necessary.  (To get yourself up to speed quickly on Chaos and such things, please check out some of the films recommended at the link sent to you when you sign up.)
Given the nature of self-organizing, complex-adaptive systems (like the brain and society) and the effect of the past biasing the present, we will engage in critical thinking and lateral thinking. We will challenge the status quo and some widely-held beliefs, using nonlinear philosophical concepts to investigate problems on many scales of human existence.
The science- and math-oriented subject matter alone will be stimulating (yes it will!), but a political element will be added to the mix to provide an "experiential learning" experience with wicked problems. We require true introspection (critical and lateral thinking) and a little homework investigating ideas to develop domain-specific knowledge necessary for discussion, such as self-delusion, group dynamics and propaganda.  In these areas as well, some thought-provoking film clips and feature-length films will be recommended.
We recognize that intelligent people do not necessarily use their brainpower in all areas of their lives especially if bias or "adequacy" blocks them.  We recognize the inherent tendency of relying upon prejudices, heuristics, groupthink and pseudo-probabilistic reasoning in an attempt to deal superficially with matters that do not seem to be pertinent to our lives.
We understand the need for logic and try to make intellectual honesty a focus of our discussions, as we try to confront myth.  For instance, we understand the need for understanding basic concepts from fractal statistics and recognize that even rigorous probabilistic reasoning concerning whether "black swans" (like "the big lie") occurred is fallacious thinking because, by definition, such events are not "likely" to have occurred.
We will be thinking about matters on all scales, suspending our judgment about the pertinence at one scale or in one area of lessons learned at another scale and