Austin Enlightenment Society Meetup

Civic Power & Stability: Exploring Trust, Activism & Our Role in Democracy

Mon, Mar 23 · 6:30 PM CDT

Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX, US

📍 Location: Capital Factory, Apollo on Floor 1

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
In today’s world, many feel disillusioned with government. Systems seem broken, reforms slow, and change often feels out of reach. Some turn to outrage. Others tune out. But what if there’s a better way?

At this event, we’ll reflect on the foundational ideas behind governance: why it exists, what gives it legitimacy, and what role citizens play when institutions no longer serve the people.

We’ll start with a quick refresher on social contract theory from Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau. Then we’ll dive into the decline of trust in modern institutions, explore what forms of government still retain public faith, and examine why hostile activism has gained traction.

Together, we’ll imagine healthier, more powerful ways for communities to take action and explore real paths for civic engagement right here in Austin.

Agenda

• 📜 A brief refresher on the key ideas of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, focusing on their interpretations of social contract theory
• 📉 A deeper look into the long-term decline of trust in government and a more nuanced analysis of lack of trust in different areas of government
• 📊 A discussion guided by research on the rise of hostile activism and why more people are turning toward aggressive methods of change
• 🛠️ A collaborative exploration of how to build stronger, healthier forms of civic involvement that allow real change without sacrificing social stability
• 🌱 A closing group brainstorm on local pathways for civic engagement in Austin and which opportunities could make the biggest difference

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

Thank you to Station Austin for sponsoring Austin Enlightenment Society. Station Austin is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. They bring together the best entrepreneurs in the state and connect them with their first investors, employees, mentors, and customers. To sign up for a Station Austin membership, click here.

The Power to Shape Austin: How Civic Involvement Builds the Future

Mon, May 25 · 6:30 PM CDT

Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX, US

📍 Location: Capital Factory, Apollo on Floor 1

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
What if you knew exactly how to make a real difference in Austin?

So many people want to help shape their city, but don’t know where to begin. This event is your gateway into civic involvement in Austin: how it works, why it matters, and where your voice fits in.

We’ll explore how local governance is structured, how decisions are made, what the city’s priorities are for the future, and how you can directly impact them. Whether you're new to civic life or looking to deepen your engagement, this night will help you step into your power as a community member.

Agenda

• 🏛️ A breakdown of how government is structured: federally, statewide in Texas, and here in Austin
• 🧭 A guided overview of how decisions are made locally and how open and inclusive Austin's governance model really is
• 📣 A walk-through of all the ways you can get involved: boards, commissions, City Council meetings, SpeakUp Austin, and more
• 📜 A review of Imagine Austin (our city’s 30-year vision) and the Strategic Direction plan (our short-term goals)
• 🤝 A group discussion and workshop to assess whether these city goals reflect our community’s hopes and what we’d like to see prioritized more

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

​Thank you to Station Austin for sponsoring Austin Enlightenment Society. Station Austin is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. They bring together the best entrepreneurs in the state and connect them with their first investors, employees, mentors, and customers. To sign up for a Station Austin membership, click here.

Building Harmony in a Divided World: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Society

Mon, Jul 27 · 6:30 PM CDT

Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX, US

📍 Location: Capital Factory, Apollo on Floor 1

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
We’re living in a moment where polarization feels high, trust feels fragile, and many people wonder whether social harmony is even possible in a modern society. But this is not the first time humanity has struggled with instability and division.

During the Warring States Period, China experienced extreme conflict, but it was also one of the greatest intellectual booms in world history. Thinkers of that time sought answers to the same questions we’re wrestling with now:

How do we build a stable, harmonious society? What principles actually work? What is human nature capable of?

By studying these philosophies, we open ourselves to ideas that have shaped cultures for thousands of years and that may offer practical paths forward for our modern world.

Agenda

• 💬 Group discussion on whether harmony is achievable in today’s polarized world
• 📜 Exploration of the Warring States Period and the birth of the “Hundred Schools of Thought”
• 🏯 Learn how Confucianism helped establish harmony and stability during the Han dynasty
• 🧠 Overview of three major philosophical schools: Confucianism, Legalism, and Taoism
• 🌱 Group brainstorming on what a modern harmonious society could look like by mixing ideas from all three traditions

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

​Thank you to Station Austin for sponsoring Austin Enlightenment Society. Station Austin is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. They bring together the best entrepreneurs in the state and connect them with their first investors, employees, mentors, and customers. To sign up for a Station Austin membership, click here.

What Holds a Society Together? Defining factors for social harmony.

Mon, Aug 24 · 6:30 PM CDT

Capital Factory, 701 Brazos St, Austin, TX, US

📍 Location: Capital Factory, Astroboy on Floor 1

📣Visit our new website to learn more about the Austin Enlightenment Society. Find links to follow us on social, subscribe to the newsletter, and find out about upcoming events!

Event Overview
How do societies stay stable, cooperative, and connected and why does that sometimes break down?

​From ancient civilizations to modern research, there has never been a single, agreed-upon answer. Different cultures, thinkers, and researchers have all proposed different approaches to maintaining social harmony and many of those ideas still shape the world we live in today.

​In this event, we’ll explore the concept of social harmony from multiple perspectives. We’ll look at how it has been understood historically, how researchers have studied it over time, and how modern frameworks help us identify which factors are strengthening or weakening social cohesion in the United States today.

​This event is designed to be both intellectually engaging and highly participatory, with time for reflection, discussion, and connection throughout the evening.

Agenda

• ​🏺 A brief recap of our last event on Ancient China’s Warring States period and the competing philosophies that sought to restore social harmony
• ​💬 Small group discussions to explore what we believe are the most important factors that contribute to social harmony in any society
• ​🧭 An anthropological tour of history examining how different groups and civilizations maintained cohesion at different scales
• ​📚 A guided exploration of influential research on social harmony and how academic perspectives have evolved over time
• ​🔍 An interactive discussion using a modern, research-based framework to analyze social cohesion in the U.S. today

What to Bring?

• A notebook or journal
• A curious mind
• A friend who loves big questions

Who Should Attend?

• Curious minds who enjoy meaningful discussions
• Those interested in personal growth, history, and culture
• Anyone passionate about building a better world and fostering community

Expect a welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking conversation, and the chance to connect with like-minded people who care about shaping the future.

​Thank you to Station Austin for sponsoring Austin Enlightenment Society. Station Austin is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. They bring together the best entrepreneurs in the state and connect them with their first investors, employees, mentors, and customers. To sign up for a Station Austin membership, click here.