Remember, Remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder, treason, plot and Revolution

Note: Café Philo is a way of meeting interesting, inquiring people who enjoy talking about life's big issues and conundrums in a convivial atmosphere, rather than a heavy-duty philosophy seminar. Read more about our approach here.

Join us this month as we go beyond the eye-catching and English attempts of Guy Fawkes to discuss all aspects of the concept of Revolution.

Starting with, How would we define a Revolution, as opposed to a change, or a progression? [1]

What social realities have been subject to revolution? Examples could include scientific, cultural (broader than the revolution in China, encompassing the arts), and political.

What causes people to revolt? Whether it be the nobles who revolted against the King of England through the Magna Carta, landowners in America, or the average citizen in the French Revolution.

Does a Revolution require momentum, a crisis point, undeniable evidence?

The scientific revolution which replaced the earth with the sun as the centre of the solar system was based on “undeniable” evidence. Why did it take so long to succeed? What systems of thought and enquiry influenced the revolution?

A similar revolution occurred with the adoption of general relativity. Was this easier than the first revolution? Was it aided by the intervening centuries of philosophical thought?

What can we learn from revolutions in the arts? Consider for example the introductions of photography, and of computer-aided drawing. Were these revolutions? Or just progressions in technology?

Revolutions in technology have also occurred which may have changed the way we think of and interact with the world. Examples to discuss include the printing press, the automobile, radio, television, the internet and AI. How were these adopted? Is the speed of technological revolution and adoption accelerating? Are people keeping up?

In the realm of the political, have any political revolutions been without violence? Were these revolutions successful, or did they fail?

Can revolutions overcome the claims of crowd stupidity, and ensure the change prevents the establishment of dictators? Whether it be Aristotle as the foundation of western science, long after his death, or any of the modern political dictators. [2]

Are the individuals who are noted as responsible for revolution, special or unique? Alternatively, could anyone at the right place and time, been able to seize the change in technology, political or cultural currents to claim credit?

What revolutions may we see in our lifetimes, and beyond? Space flight, a steady state economy, green technologies, revolutions in our relationships with each other, world peace?

How many people does it take for a revolution to be successful?

Do we have enough here tonight?

Additional resources

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution
[2] Theory Of Crowd Stupidity That Dictators Built Their Power On - Le Bon