About us
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The BIG IDEAS book club is a monthly meetup for members wanting to discuss important or intriguing ideas and issues in society and our lives. Originally called the 'Phil-Psyc' book club, the discussions include not only big ideas in philosophy and psychology but also from economics, politics, sociology, and science.
Each month a big idea or key thinker will be selected for discussion. For example, a topic could be something like ’free will’, ‘identity’, ’meritocracy’, ‘the simulation hypothesis’, ’post-capitalism’, etc. Similarly, the key thinker could be someone like ‘Carl Jung’, ‘Michel Foucault’, ‘Daniel Kahneman’, etc.
For each topic, a key book and video material will be suggested. The attendees are not required to have read/watched these in order to attend and are welcome to engage in their own reading/viewing material. However, I do strongly encourage reading the set book as it helps in creating focal points for the discussion.
This monthly Meetup will be hosted by Paul T. Many thanks to Dr Steve Mayers who started this book club (and who also started Café Psychologique Sydney) but who unfortunately has moved on from Sydney. Hopefully, the meetup organizer pool will expand so as not to rely on one person.
During the post-Covid restart of this book club (late 2023), it may take some time to find a favourite meeting venue, and hopefully members will have some promising ideas on venues. Being relatively quiet, having food and drink, being approximately central to Sydney and close to public transport are at least four criteria that make sense to me. As a starting place, we can test the 2nd floor (one below the rooftop) of the Keg & Brew Hotel, 26 Foveaux St, Surry Hills. It’s close to Central Station and the light rail. But make sure to check the actual event location.
Come along and join in the conversation!
Keywords: Book club, philosophy, psychology, sociology, economics, politics, science, critical thinking, intellectual discussions, conversation.
Upcoming events
1
The Immigration Debate: Myths, Facts and Ethics
Keg & Brew Hotel, 26 Foveaux St, Surry Hills, NS, AUImmigration is one of the most emotionally charged issues in global politics today. No other issue generates as much heat, fear, or political division. But how much of what we hear about immigration is true? What are its actual effects on jobs, housing, public services, innovation and social cohesion? Has global migration actually been increasing — and do border restrictions even work? And even if we could agree on the facts, what ethical principles should guide our thinking? Do people have a right to seek a better life across borders? What do wealthy nations owe to those displaced by poverty, conflict, or climate change? How should we balance compassion, fairness, freedom and national self-determination? Join us for a thoughtful discussion as we explore one of the most important and controversial global questions of our time.
Book: How Migration Really Works – A Factful Guide to the Most Divisive Issue in Politics (2023) by Hein de Haas
Companion reading: The Ethics of Migration - An Introductory Guide (prepared for this meetup)
For this month’s meetup we have two principal readings that approach migration from complementary angles: one examines the myths and realities of migration across the world, while the other explores its ethical dimensions.
In How Migration Really Works, Dutch migration scholar Hein de Haas argues that much of the public debate is driven by myths and misunderstandings. Although Australia receives its share of attention, this is not a book specifically about the Australian migration debate; it is a wide-ranging account grounded in decades of international research. De Haas explores questions such as whether migration is increasing, whether immigration lowers wages, whether immigration fixes the problem of an ageing population, and whether governments can effectively control migration flows. The result is a nuanced and evidence-based account of migration.
The accompanying guide to the ethics of immigration examines the deeper questions that facts alone cannot answer. Even if we agree on the evidence, what should immigration policy aim to achieve? The guide introduces the major ethical perspectives and arguments from across the political spectrum, providing a framework for thoughtful and informed discussion.
As always, we strongly encourage you to do the reading before you attend. This will enrich both your experience and our collective discussion. We’ve also included some further resources below that you may find useful.
So join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6:30pm on Monday, 3rd August, on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel in Surrey Hills (i.e. up two flights of stairs). The venue is conveniently located near Central Station and the Light Rail.
We look forward to seeing you there!
P.S. Please adjust your RSVP if you have indicated that you will come but are no longer able to do so. This is courteous to others if there is a waitlist.
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These are just optional links to consider to supplement the reading of the book and document. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section.Videos
- Two presentations by Hein de Haas on his book:
How Migration Really Works (1hr)
How Migration Really Works (45mins) - A collection of short videos by de Haas:
Migration 101 - Harvard’s Michael Sandel convenes a debate on the ethics of national borders with the help of the BBC and a group of participants from over 30 countries:
The Global Philosopher - Should Borders Matter? - Debating Open Borders: Carl vs Caplan (2023) Noah Carl and Bryan Caplan debate the merits of open borders:
Spotify - Open Borders Debate
Apple - Open Borders Debate
Written
- Hein de Haas's substack articles:
Hans de Haas’s substack - Immigration Ethics - An Overview (in 999 words!):
Immigration Ethics Summary - Encyclopedia Entries:
Stanford - Arguments for Open and Closed Borders
Wikipedia – Opposition to Migration Arguments - Reviews of How Migration Really Works:
How Migration Really Works - Review
44 attendees- Two presentations by Hein de Haas on his book:
Past events
45
Group links
Members
2,114
