About us
The Existentialist Society is for those who question whether life has a meaning and a purpose. And for those who despairingly ponder whether one can live without self-deception or without hedonistic escapism. Yet who, despite the anguish of life's futility and meaninglessness, still seek purpose and an authentic existence.
The Existentialist Society is for those who are fascinated by the ideas of Simone de Beauvoir, Nicholas Berdyaev, Martin Buber, Rudolph Bultmann, Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Viktor Frankl, Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Franz Kafka, Nikos Kazantzakis, Soren Kierkegaard, R.D. Laing, Gabriel Marcel, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, Max Stirner, Paul Tillich, Colin Wilson, etc.
'Existentialism' is an umbrella term covering diverse and often conflicting schools of thought. Consequently we are not agreed on who or what is an Existentialist; we simply agree to disagree.
Inspired by the Student Revolt of the late Sixties, the Existentialist Society commenced in 1971.
LECTURES take place at 2pm on the first Saturday of the month.
All are welcome. Participation is free.
NOTE: Due to the pandemic, our physical in-person Meetups and lectures were cancelled. All the lectures are now online via Zoom. This enables participation by those interstate and overseas.
Following our monthly lecture, during the extended question and discussion period, additional comments are encouraged from those of our participants who might have more knowledge than the speaker on particular aspects of the topic, as well as from those who have an alternative viewpoint.
Sometimes our lecture topics have no direct bearing upon Existentialism. The speakers on such topics may or may not be conversant with Existentialism.
The Existentialist Society has no formal membership, so there is no membership fee.
See the Existentialist Society website for future lectures, past transcripts and videos etc: www.existentialistmelbourne.org
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@existentialistsociety8453
Facebook: Please feel free to comment on the lectures: -
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066617594761
Upcoming events
9
The Ten Lost Tribes: Fact or Fiction?
·OnlineOnlineEXISTENTIALIST MEETUP - Melbourne, Australia.
History of Religion: Our monthly online Meetup.
The presentations are followed by questions, comments and discussion. All viewpoints welcome.Early Religion: An Alternative History
What do the historians and archaeologists think of the veracity of religious legends? Legends are an amalgamation of history and mythology. But how much of each?"THE TEN LOST TRIBES: FACT OR FICTION?"
The notorious Assyrian Empire had developed a cunning way of destabilising rebellious vassal kingdoms. They conquered the cities (military strongholds) and swapped the inhabitants with another rebellious kingdom's cities.
As the Assyrians had realised that the prosperity of their Empire depended on agriculture, they tried not to disturb the peasantry. So 75% of the rebellious kingdoms' populations were left in place.We will look at the implications of this behaviour by the Assyrian Empire on the legend of the Ten Lost Tribes contended by Israel Finkelstein, Professor of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University and his historian colleague, Neil Asher Silberman, in their book:
"The Bible Unearthed" - - YouTube Audiopedia summary of the book.David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Background reading for those interested in doing so:
Biblical references: 2 Kings 17: verses 6 & 24.
Wikipedia's entry on the Neo-Assyrian Empire
Wikipedia's entry on the Ten Lost Tribes
YouTube: Historical Origin of the 12 Tribes of Israel
The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 857 9575 9056 - - Passcode: 251701
Don't be deterred if you are late. Join the event at any time.Existentialist Society's Website - - - Facebook - - - YouTube
22 attendees
New Romans: Is it time to update Paul's great letter?
·OnlineOnlineSEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA) - Melbourne.
Some of us are participating in SoFiA's online event.
Fergus McGinley will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"Yes, Paul’s basic theological infrastructure, articulated so powerfully in his original letter to the small group of Jesus’s followers in Rome, incredibly forms the basis of Christian theology and doctrine to this day—despite the obvious fact that we have long since transitioned to a scientific, evolutionary view of the world, with no once-off act of divine creation, no historical fall and, I’m afraid to say, no omnipotent creator God controlling and judging human affairs! - Go figure!"
New Romans is a new letter to a new, 21st century audience, exploring the great Gospel themes of grace, faith, Metanoia (spiritual transformation) and Kingdom, in a new and exciting way.
BIO: Fergus McGinley is an Adelaide writer, teacher, lay preacher, parent, grandparent, with a background in science, philosophy, education and theology. He is the author of many essays, articles and sermons, and the recent book, The God Who Doesn’t Exist (ATF Press, 2025).
The ZOOM LINK will appear on this page for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 869 2666 8672 - - Passcode: 028587
Don't be deterred if you are late.
Join the event at any time.~ SoFiA promotes the open exploration of religion, spirituality and the search for meaning. They welcome ALL viewpoints, including Atheism.~
Facebook: 'Sofiatalk' - Please join their ongoing discussions.
11 attendees
Harari's Humanist Horror Story: Why History Matters.
·OnlineOnlineATHEIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
Leslie Allan (Rational Realm) will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"HARARI'S HUMANIST HORROR STORY:
- WHY HISTORY MATTERS."Wikipedia on Yuval Harari
ZOOM Link will eventually appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 863 7677 0369 - - Passcode: 262493
Don't be deterred if you are late -
Join the event at any time.The Atheist Society welcomes ALL viewpoints, including criticism of Atheism.
Enquiries: atheist7agnostic@gmail.com
Facebook and Website and Meetups for past and future Atheist Society activities.
18 attendees
Can Existentialism Save Christianity?
·OnlineOnlineEXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Dr. Paul Tonson will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"CAN EXISTENTIALISM SAVE CHRISTIANITY?"
Wikipedia on Progressive Christianity
ZOOM Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 867 2669 8505 - - Passcode: 560485
Don't be deterred if you are late - Join the event at any time.Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook
14 attendees
Past events
519
