What we’re about
Café Philo is a way of meeting interesting, inquiring people who enjoy talking about life's big issues and conundrums in a convivial atmosphere in the Bristol and Bath area.
We discuss all manner of topics. Some are profound, others are decidedly not. We aim to have one topic per month, we hold events to discuss this topic in a number locations, often with two separate discussions in each venue - we limit numbers to 12 for each discussion (usually less in practice). Each discussion goes in its own direction, depending on the people around the table. A facilitator gently steers the discussion to help keep things moving, interesting and balanced.
Our discussions are non-party-political and free of religious or ideological dogma (most of the time at least). We encourage a healthy mix of the serious and humourous, so you can be guaranteed a lively, stimulating evening.
We're not academics or experts - just ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds who share a common interest in exchanging ideas about things which matter in life and meeting like-minded people.
If you're a heavy-duty philosopher you may find this group a bit lightweight. For anybody else, come along and get stuck into a decent conversation over a coffee or beer.
In addition to our discussions we hold some social events and occasionally arrange to meet for public talks.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Trust: what is it, how is it built, and rebuilt it once broken?Westbury on Trym, Westbury on Trym
Note: Café Philo is a way of meeting interesting, inquiring people who enjoy talking about life's big issues and conundrums in a convivial atmosphere, rather than a heavy-duty philosophy seminar. Read more about our approach here.
Do you trust me?
In Aladdin there’s a scene where Aladdin ask the princess to join him on a magic carpet ride, saying “Do you trust me?” Would you trust in the magic of the carpet? Would you take the leap of faith and take his hand?
What is trust, anyway? Is trust a belief, emotion, disposition or is it a value? And what are its benefits?
When does trust begin? As infants and children, humans are more dependent than other animals, and reliant on care givers. Does this make trust innate?
Attachment relationship theory says there are four attachment styles, set in childhood, which come down to people’s trust in themselves and their partners. These are: Secure: trust in oneself, and trust in partner. Anxious: distrust in oneself, trust in partner. Dismissive: trust in oneself, distrust in partner. Fearful: Distrust in oneself, and distrust in partner.
Is this a helpful way of viewing relationships? Have you direct experience of these styles? Is there a way to move from the insecure types to secure?
What does trust in oneself involve? Do we trust our intuition, our ideas, our intentions, our ability to handle situations? If someone was distrustful of themselves, how would that manifest itself?
In the workplace, two contrasting management styles have been described. A Dominant workplace uses fear and anger to motivate employees, stemming from a distrust that employees left alone will work for the best interests of the company. A Prestige workplace explains to employees why projects matter, and what the company is aiming towards. Leaders lead by example, and trust employees to work for the best interests of themselves, and the company.
Which type of leadership style is more successful? Are there any downsides or upsides to the different styles?
The book Hope for cynics: the surprising science of human goodness separates trust in people from trust in facts, and creates four categories of people, similar to attachment theory. These are: Suspicious skeptics: Trust in facts, distrust of people. Hopeful skeptic: trust facts and people. Cynics: distrust people and facts. Naïve trusters: distrust facts and trust people.
Where do you sit? Which type of person would it be preferable to be?
How do we rebuild trust when it is broken? Would being generous to others help in this?
Does communication nurture trust, and rebuild relationships?
What about leaps of faith, such as putting ourselves in a position of particular vulnerability, and trusting in the kindness or goodwill of another person. Does exhibiting vulnerability in this way build trust?
Does trusting someone else cause them to trust us in return? Would this create a wave of trust where people become more open and trusting, and spread it to others? Or would this cause more hurt and pain, as trusting other people in our current society is dangerous and is punished?
Does trusting someone change them or their behaviour in other ways?
It’s commonly said that trust in politics, in political institutions, in science, and even in knowledge (facts) itself is at a low point. What might the reasons for this be? What roles have governments, the media, the internet and social media played in this? Do some actors even have an interest in reducing trust in institutions, and if so, how might they be countered?
Should we aim for a world where people are more trusting? Or is it safer to maintain a healthy level of mistrust – how should we draw the line?
May you trust us at Café Philo to provide the venue for an interesting discussion of these topics.
For further reading try:
http://changingminds.org/explanations/trust/trust.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_(social_science) https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/trust/
