
What we’re about
We're a community that practices and discusses philosophy, being free and open to all levels and backgrounds. We offer seminars, a variety of discussion formats, and the occasional lecture / guest speaker.
Many meetings will have fewer RSVPs than people who actually attend. This is because overtime people stop making use of Meetup.com and instead communicate with their groups via Discord, Slack, Zoom, E-mail, or similar You can think of the list of events hosted on this Meetup as advertisements for groups seeking new participants.
Our philosophy offerings are organized and facilitated by volunteers. If you have a philosophy offering - or an offering that compliments the study of philosophy, such as in literature, the sciences, and so on - that you'd like to advertise through this Meetup, please contact the organizer. We're grateful to those who want to enrich Seattle with study and discussion!
Participants must speak, write, and act in a considerate, professional, and respectful manner, and be prepared for the meetings that they attend, having reviewed the materials to the degree necessary to participate. If you haven't reviewed the materials but still wish to attend an event, please consult the event facilitator regarding the best manner for you to be present.
We look forward to studying philosophy together!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- What Makes Us Truly Free? (Hannah Arendt & Langston Hughes)Link visible for attendees
This session is sponsored by Premise.
Register here.Seattle Philosophy Club members can attend the session at no cost. We ask that if you sign up to attend that you update your registration if anything changes because we will be holding a spot for you.
Register here and use the code "seattlemeetup" and the session will be no cost. Please purchase at least one item (drink and/or food) at our host location because they are providing us the space at no cost.
What Makes Us Truly Free?
What is Freedom? Hannah Arendt (essay) &
Poems by Langston Hughes: Freedom's Plow, Democracy, Harlem [Dream Deferred]
May 1, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM PST/9:30-11:00ESTRead one essay and three poems:
- "What is Freedom?" by Hannah Arendt (from Between Past and Future) In this essay, Arendt delves into the concept of freedom as political action and collective engagement, challenging us to think beyond personal liberty and consider the role of public life in realizing true freedom. ~30 pages
- "Freedom's Plow" by Langston Hughes A poetic journey through the history of freedom in America, emphasizing the power of collective effort in shaping a just and free society. ~3 pages
- **"Democracy" by Langston Hughes **A direct and urgent call to action, this poem asserts that freedom and democracy cannot be postponed—they must be achieved and experienced now. ~1 page
- **"Harlem [Dream Deferred]" by Langston Hughes **A haunting reflection on the consequences of delayed or denied freedom, asking what happens when aspirations for equality and justice are continually deferred. ~1 page
- Quanta and Complementarity – The Philosophy of Niels BohrNeeds location
Please join us on alternating Fridays at 4pm PT to discuss interpretations of quantum physics and the philosophy of Niels Bohr.
This seminar will start with a close reading of a book critical of Niels Bohr, “What is Real?” by Adam Becker, so that we can become grounded in an opposing viewpoint. We intend to cover one chapter of this book per meeting; we’re also likely to semi-regularly read source materials as a supplement.
After we finish “What is Real,” our intention is to read Niels Bohr’s primary texts and supporting materials, and we'll branch out from there.
For our first meeting on May 2nd, we’ll have a kickoff discussion to review the intentions of the organizer. Other participants will also have a chance to share what they'd like to get from the seminar. We’ll finish with an open discussion about interpretations of quantum mechanics.
Meetings after our first will more directly focus on “What is Real?” and/or other assigned readings.
Suggested secondary readings (which we’ll not cover directly but which may be referenced) include:
- “Quantum Reality,” by Nick Herbert
- “Beyond Weird,” by Philip Ball
- “Elegance and Enigma,” edited by Maximilian Schlosshauer
We meet on the Blinding Cyclops Discord server. You can find resources, discussions, and reading assignments under the category “Quantum Physics.” Our discussions will meet in the voice/video channel titled “QP Meeting Room.” Join link: https://discord.gg/urPBsNTWuK. Please make sure to familiarize yourself with Discord before our meeting if you’re new to this software.