What we’re about
The Austin Philosophy Discussion Group (APDG) offers many opportunities for discussions of philosophy and philosophical issues. No advance preparation or knowledge is required, unless stated in the meeting description. All our meetings are free of charge.
Click on "Meetups" just under the picture, above, to see details about upcoming meetups. The types of meetups that we have are:
- Weekly Lecture/Discussion groups, which offer free DVD lectures and discussions covering a wide range of philosophical topics.
- Special Events and Lectures covering topics of interest to our membership.
We are always open to new ideas, so come and share your thoughts at one of our meetings.
This group is a member of the Virtual Philosophy Network, a consortium of philosophy groups like ours in the U.S. and Canada. Now that Meetup events are virtual, we can discuss ideas with folks from all over the continent, and we have a broader range of topics to choose from. Go to https://sites.google.com/view/virtualphilosophynetwork to see all the Meetup groups in the network,
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Our web site also features lively discussions, within a culture that values civil discourse.
Here's what civil discourse is: Conversation intended to enhance understanding. It employs language of dispassionate objectivity. Civil discourse requires mutual respect of the participants. It neither diminishes the other's moral worth, nor questions their good judgment; it avoids hostility and direct antagonism. It requires an appreciation for the other participants' experiences.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Pickleball With New Friends!Pickleland, Pflugerville, TX
I’mIMPORTANT: Please sign up at the Pickleland app or website directly. Be aware that this event is a paid event. You can pay on the app (preferred) or in person.
Join us for a casual, fun way to meet other people and make friends while playing pickleball.
Beginners are welcome! You don’t need a paddle; you can rent one at Pickleland! We will teach you the rules and how to play.
If you are an experienced player, we will have competitive courts also!
Use code “FUNSOCIALEVENTS” for 10% off any social event on the Pickleland website: https://play.pickleland.com/programs?facility_id=970&category=&search=&view=grid
Disclaimer: The host of this event and meetup are not liable for any injuries, loss of funds, or any type of unfortunate event that happens to any attendees of the meetup.
- 🔴Saturday Marathon Discussions📌Critical Thinking, intellectual conversationsLink visible for attendees
🔴Camera & Mic Mandatory!
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Expect a large group and breakout rooms for various topics. From personal growth, loneliness, relationships, divorce, grief, etc. TO politics, philosophy, psychology and more.
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Wondering what others talk about and you’re not ?!The global gossip?
Undiscovered thoughts unraveled only when the rest fall asleep?!
Falling on the path of another ambiguous beingthat could entertain your every cell of enthusiastic curiosity?* Worried if you fit in ? Thinking you’re not a philosopher?
Worry not!
We engage in life’s matters in productive comprehensive ways suitable for almost all curious.
If you enjoy analytical philosophy, you may join a breakout room with .. the other birds.. of a feather!You are one of us if you breath, think, eat and .. talk ! .. and then talk some more…
Philosophy is the oxygen for our concerned and concerning.. minds….************************************************
For the event calendar and zoom issues please see: https://www.meetup.com/mindshearts-without-borders/events/tdfdssydcfbqb/
************************************************ - Lacking Self-Control {Akrasia} -- Aristotle's Nicomachean EthicsLink visible for attendees
September 21 - We are reading NE VII.7, which is about two variants of lacking self-control: being endurant-steadfast {karteria} and being soft-pampered {malakia}. Why does Aristotle say that these are forms of lacking self-control {akrasia}? The first sounds pretty good, right? Let's follow his train of thought.
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We will read the 8 translations starting at 1150a9.
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My summary of chapter 6 on lacking self-control with respect to emotion can be found here to help you catch up to us. https://mega.nz/file/OzYXXCZI#K6p6FHf2ohSrZ5NrMrr-H90w_TLYFng-kYpO4KmcHok Bring your own questions about the text if you are interested in joining this Sunday's meeting.
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We are live-reading and discussing Aristotle's ~Nicomachean Ethics~, book VII, which is about troubleshooting the virtues of character. We use mainly the English translation by Adam Beresford (Penguin Classics, 2020).
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The prerequisite to this book is our answering for ourselves these questions from the prior books, to which we will briefly review:
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1. What is a virtue of character {ēthikē aretē}?
2. How does one come to acquire it? (E.g. [Aristotle’s], ambition, bravery, gentlemanliness, generosity, candor, balanced-temper, …)
3. From a first-person perspective in being virtuous, how does one feel and what does one see (differently, discursively) in a given situation of everyday living?
4. From a third-person perspective, how is the virtuous person (of a specific virtue) to be characterized?
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The project's cloud drive is here, at which you'll find the reading texts, notes, and slideshows.
