About us
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
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Remember, Remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder, treason, plot and Revolution
Westbury on Trym, GBNote: 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.
Join us this month as we go beyond the eye-catching and English attempts of Guy Fawkes to discuss all aspects of the concept of Revolution.
Starting with, How would we define a Revolution, as opposed to a change, or a progression? [1]
What social realities have been subject to revolution? Examples could include scientific, cultural (broader than the revolution in China, encompassing the arts), and political.
What causes people to revolt? Whether it be the nobles who revolted against the King of England through the Magna Carta, landowners in America, or the average citizen in the French Revolution.
Does a Revolution require momentum, a crisis point, undeniable evidence?
The scientific revolution which replaced the earth with the sun as the centre of the solar system was based on “undeniable” evidence. Why did it take so long to succeed? What systems of thought and enquiry influenced the revolution?
A similar revolution occurred with the adoption of general relativity. Was this easier than the first revolution? Was it aided by the intervening centuries of philosophical thought?
What can we learn from revolutions in the arts? Consider for example the introductions of photography, and of computer-aided drawing. Were these revolutions? Or just progressions in technology?
Revolutions in technology have also occurred which may have changed the way we think of and interact with the world. Examples to discuss include the printing press, the automobile, radio, television, the internet and AI. How were these adopted? Is the speed of technological revolution and adoption accelerating? Are people keeping up?
In the realm of the political, have any political revolutions been without violence? Were these revolutions successful, or did they fail?
Can revolutions overcome the claims of crowd stupidity, and ensure the change prevents the establishment of dictators? Whether it be Aristotle as the foundation of western science, long after his death, or any of the modern political dictators. [2]
Are the individuals who are noted as responsible for revolution, special or unique? Alternatively, could anyone at the right place and time, been able to seize the change in technology, political or cultural currents to claim credit?
What revolutions may we see in our lifetimes, and beyond? Space flight, a steady state economy, green technologies, revolutions in our relationships with each other, world peace?
How many people does it take for a revolution to be successful?
Do we have enough here tonight?
Additional resources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution
[2] Theory Of Crowd Stupidity That Dictators Built Their Power On - Le Bon16 attendeesRemember, Remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder, treason, plot and Revolution
The Llandoger Trow, Llandoger Row, Kings Street, BS1 4ER, Bristol, GBNote: 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.
Join us this month as we go beyond the eye-catching and English attempts of Guy Fawkes to discuss all aspects of the concept of Revolution.
Starting with, How would we define a Revolution, as opposed to a change, or a progression? [1]
What social realities have been subject to revolution? Examples could include scientific, cultural (broader than the revolution in China, encompassing the arts), and political.
What causes people to revolt? Whether it be the nobles who revolted against the King of England through the Magna Carta, landowners in America, or the average citizen in the French Revolution.
Does a Revolution require momentum, a crisis point, undeniable evidence?
The scientific revolution which replaced the earth with the sun as the centre of the solar system was based on “undeniable” evidence. Why did it take so long to succeed? What systems of thought and enquiry influenced the revolution?
A similar revolution occurred with the adoption of general relativity. Was this easier than the first revolution? Was it aided by the intervening centuries of philosophical thought?
What can we learn from revolutions in the arts? Consider for example the introductions of photography, and of computer-aided drawing. Were these revolutions? Or just progressions in technology?
Revolutions in technology have also occurred which may have changed the way we think of and interact with the world. Examples to discuss include the printing press, the automobile, radio, television, the internet and AI. How were these adopted? Is the speed of technological revolution and adoption accelerating? Are people keeping up?
In the realm of the political, have any political revolutions been without violence? Were these revolutions successful, or did they fail?
Can revolutions overcome the claims of crowd stupidity, and ensure the change prevents the establishment of dictators? Whether it be Aristotle as the foundation of western science, long after his death, or any of the modern political dictators. [2]
Are the individuals who are noted as responsible for revolution, special or unique? Alternatively, could anyone at the right place and time, been able to seize the change in technology, political or cultural currents to claim credit?
What revolutions may we see in our lifetimes, and beyond? Space flight, a steady state economy, green technologies, revolutions in our relationships with each other, world peace?
How many people does it take for a revolution to be successful?
Do we have enough here tonight?
Additional resources
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution
[2] Theory Of Crowd Stupidity That Dictators Built Their Power On - Le Bon18 attendees
Past events
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