Please join us for a mentally-stimulating and ultra-thought-provoking Meetup as we discuss the topic "Philosophy: Who Needs It?" Do people actually need "philosophy" and why? What does it offer us? Can we really be sure of anything? If so, what? Why do we even ask "philosophical" questions and seek their answers in the first place? Whether you're a scholar, or don't know the first thing about philosophy, you'll feel right at home discussing "Philosophy: Who Needs It?"

The following questions will be asked at this Meetup:
>For the purposes of this discussion, what do we mean by "Philosophy" (as a science)? 
>What role do reason (i.e., critical thought) and emotions play in our decision-making process? (How much ought either be present in our daily decisions?)
>How can Philosophy help people to understand the importance of ethics (i.e. one's own conduct) in one's life? (Ought such things as "boundaries" and "character" apply to everyone?)
>How can Philosophy help people to understand the importance of politics (i.e. the way we treat others) in life? (What do people have a "right" to do? When do the ends justify the means?)
>What is the effect of Philosophy on romantic relationships?
>How does Philosophy reveal itself in artistic expressions?
>Conclusion: After all is said and done, Who Needs Philosophy and why?

This Meetup is at a quiet restaurant, and no purchase is necessary. (Though, please keep in mind that the owner is providing us with a FREE, quiet venue for us to conduct our Meetup and a small [or large] purchase on your part as a token of thanks is greatly appreciated.) Socializing will begin at 6:15pm, individual member introductions and initial comments on the topic start at 6:45pm, with the discussion portion beginning around 7pm, and the conclusion aspect (i.e., individual member's final comments on the topic) at approximately 8:45pm.

NOTE: At the beginning of the discussion portion of the Meetup, the moderator will ask for cooperation (i.e. for members to be on their best behavior and showing the utmost respect for one another) from all participants regarding member conduct during the discussion. Most specifically, when the moderator asks a particular question of the group (see this Meetup's questions listed above), it is simply for the purpose of moving the discussion forward for the purposes of 1)attempting to have a well-rounded conversation that adequately covers the topic in the time available, and 2)to help facilitate each individual member arriving at some type of answer/conclusion, based on the discussion, by the end of the Meetup.

Past experience with our discussions has repeatedly shown that when members ignore topic-related question(s) to go off on their own soapboxes, it typically results (with few exceptions) in an unfocused, purposeless, rudderless, conversational free-for-all; which greatly reduces the quality of the discussion for most participants (based on the past feedback we've received over the years). Participants who have a particular agenda for how the Meetup will progress (or not progress), including introducing (or continually re-introducing) frequent tangents that have absolutely nothing to do with any aspect of the topic at hand (and the relevant questions posed above) are perfectly free to schedule their own Meetups some other time, and conduct their own discussions (promoted on this website) at their convenience.

Hence, a member's attendance at this particular Meetup is a de facto agreement (on his/her part) that the discussion will follow the simple format outlined above, via each question introduced at the time designated by the moderator. After a question is asked, the conversation will be an open, free-flowing one amongst the participants, generally focused around that particular question. (Though, please keep your answers short and give others a chance to speak. Also, please no side conversations while others are trying to speak - it's very distracting to the discussion...) Other ancillary questions may come up during the course of the discussion that we will talk about, but the primary focus of attention for the group for this particular Meetup will be on each of the questions listed above; as a means to not get stuck on one aspect of the topic, as well as to tie together, during the course of the discussion, how each question is philosophically correlated with one another.

If there is particular question/aspect you feel is essential to understanding the topic at hand, that has been left off the list above, please contact the event moderator/host to voice your concern.