Welcome, Berkeley Philosophers!

No philosophical background needed. We throw out topics with a philosophical bent and then we vote on which one to discuss. Some may have also heard of it as 'Socrates Cafe'. This is about our own philosophies of life and not necessarily what other philosophers have said or written.

The first Philosophers' Café of the modern era 'le premier Bistrot Philo, Café des Phares, is located in the Place de la Bastille, the historic centre of the French Revolution. Europe has a long history of café society and salons, informal gatherings that helped to nurture deep conversation and original thought outside the confines of more established institutions. The Café philosophique movement, which was started in France in 1992 by the philosopher Marc Sautet, grew into more than 200 café discussion groups in various cities throughout the country.

Samuel Avital, one of the world's greatest mimes and "provocateur extraordinaire," initiates the discussion by asking Café Philo. participants to choose a topic for discussion. For example, "Why are we here?" "Do we have to suffer?" "Is stress self imposed or self imagined?" "Is the root of being human evil or good?".

So, if you like to delve a little deeper into life's topics, by all means, please join.