What we’re about
PROVOCATEURS AND PEACEMAKERS - Science • Philosophy • History • Psychology • Current Affairs • Spirituality • Christianity • Atheism —> Provocative Discussion
* Want to hear differing viewpoints in rational dialogue?
* Want deep discussion on issues that matter?
* Want to make friends across the aisle?
Come exploring with us at our next meeting of The Provocateurs. We meet every 2nd an 4th Friday of the month (2nd Friday for our Topic Night, 4th Friday for our Lazy Readers Night). We have no trouble being provocative — our main rule is that we give everyone a chance to talk and hear them with respect. Come to learn — and to give us a piece of your mind.
Also, for online discussion during the week, jump on our P&P Discord server:
If you’re new to Discord, go to discord.com to open an account.
If you’re new to our P&P Discord group, join us at: https://discord.gg/tS3ejMqmsh
If you joined us on Discord earlier, find Provocateurs & Peacemakers at: discord.com
Upcoming events
2
LAZY READERS — JANUARY!
Location not specified yetFor those who like lively conversations, and for nosy people who don't have time to read it all, but want to know it all:
LAZY READERS — JANUARY!
Join us to tell us about whatever you've been reading — we'll discuss that and what everyone else is reading too.
RSVP on this page.
Subjects can include just about anything: fiction or non-fiction, history, science, philosophy, psychology, the arts, humor, religion or atheism, etc. Books or blogs or articles or editorials.
Come to talk or come to listen. No pressure, just friendly fun.
We'll give everyone who wants a few minutes to explain what they've been reading, and another few minutes for everyone to ask questions and discuss. We always learn a ton. Come make new friends and learn something new about what they’ve been reading.
See you Friday!
Debbie Smith
Afterwards: We'll continue our conversations over drinks and food at the Blue Moose.
***
Come early between 6:45 and 6:55 p.m. to chat and make new friends before we get started.
All attendees are expected to follow the P&P Code of Conduct, so all can feel safe while we have a great time.
WANT MORE DISCUSSION, DURING THE WEEK?: Just a reminder that we can continue our discussion of this event (or anything else) on our P&P Discord server. Here's how to use it:
- If you’re new to Discord, go to discord.com to open an account.
- If you’re new to our P&P Discord group, join us at: https://discord.gg/tS3ejMqmsh
- If you joined us on Discord earlier, find Provocateurs & Peacemakers at: discord.com.16 attendees
How One Man’s Moral Compass Sparked the Reign of Terror
McKeever's Price Chopper, 19601 W 101st St Space 19601, Lenexa, KS, USInterested in moral philosophy? History? How about alternative histories? If any of those apply, you won’t want to miss this event!
Our own in-house historian and philosopher Spencer Boyd last spoke to us about one of the most important discussions on democracy in American history, and is now switching the scene to what may be the most fascinating moment leading to the French Revolution: the moment when Robespierre lit the fuse to begin the Reign of Terror. What was going on in Robespierre’s mind? What was his moral compass?
Many of us have been led to believe that this is just the way the French do revolution, compared to our more civilized American way. But did you know that if another, more popular, French statesman, Count Mirabeau, had lived a bit longer, he would have likely prevented not only the violent Reign of Terror, but ensured a peaceful transition of power to a British-style constitutional monarchy?
The beloved orator Mirabeau had the full respect and the ear of both the king and the people. When Mirabeau talked, people acted. Imagine the alternate reality if he had lived longer and France had transitioned peacefully to the constitutional monarchy he planned: no Reign of Terror, no Napoleon, an entirely different European history from there—and a different world history.
Robespierre had advocated for the voting and petition rights of all men. Why, once he was appointed to the Committee of Public Safety, did he decide these rights did not apply to his opponents? Why did they all need to die without trial? Spencer will dive into a deep comparison between the moral compass of these two men: Robespierre and Mirabeau.
This should also lead to an interesting discussion in which we all will have an opportunity to examine our own and the rest of the group’s moral compasses.
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Spencer Boyd
From Spencer: "Since my earliest childhood I’ve been fascinated by history and philosophy and studied works as best I could at that age, in college, before I switched to tech, I was only three courses away from a history degree, and the same for philosophy. I’ve long had a deep appreciation for these subjects and studied well before and long after my time at university. I fully plan on going back and finishing up those degrees.
"I continue to study philosophical material on a near daily basis and regularly sharpen my skills in the pursuit of knowledge and would love to share some of what I’ve seen."
See you Friday!
Fred Heeren
Afterwards: We'll continue our conversations over drinks and food at the Blue Moose.
* * *
Come early between 6:45 and 6:55 p.m. to chat and make new friends before we get started. But be sure to join us by 6:55, if you can, so we can start right at 7:00.
All attendees are expected to follow the P&P Code of Conduct, so all can feel safe while we have a great time.
WANT MORE DISCUSSION, DURING THE WEEK?: Just a reminder that we can continue our discussion of this event (or anything else) on our P&P Discord server. Here's how to use it:
- If you’re new to Discord, go to discord.com to open an account.
- If you’re new to our P&P Discord group, join us at: https://discord.gg/tS3ejMqmsh
- If you joined us on Discord earlier, find Provocateurs & Peacemakers at: discord.com1 attendee
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