What we’re about
Café Philo is a way of meeting interesting, inquiring people who enjoy talking about life's big issues and conundrums in a convivial atmosphere.
We discuss a wide range of topics that include: the way we live our lives, ethics, current affairs and topical social issues. We aim to have one topic per month with up to 12 people in a discussion. A facilitator gently steers the discussion to help keep things moving, interesting and balanced.
Our discussions are non-party-political and free of religious or ideological dogma (most of the time at least). We encourage a healthy mix of the serious and humorous, so you can be guaranteed a lively, stimulating and fun evening. Our meetings are discussions - not debates, and certainly not arguments. We try to be respectful of everyone's point of view, even if we don't agree with them.
The group isn't aimed at academics or experts - just ordinary people from a variety of backgrounds who share a common interest in exchanging ideas about things which matter in life and meeting like-minded people. So if you're a heavy-duty philosopher you may find this group a bit lightweight. For anybody else, come along and get stuck into a decent conversation over a coffee or beer.
In addition to our regular discussions, we'll arrange some purely social evenings as well.
About the organiser: I've been running Cafe Philo in Bristol for over 10 years. I've now moved to Bromley. Let's see if there is sufficient interest to form a local group here.
It is free to attend our events. I run this group on a not-for-profit basis. However Meetup charge fees for using their platform so periodically I ask for donations to cover these costs. Regulars are asked to donate £10 per year if they can.
Upcoming events
1
What does it mean to be you?
The George Inn, 111 High St, Beckenham BR3 1AG, London, GBNOTE: the pub does not charge for our space on the understanding that we all purchase something from the bar. Please support them.
I'll be there from around 7pm if anyone would like a social chat before we get started.What do we mean by the "self"?
To what extent are we defined by our bodies? Could we imagine ourselves without a body? Or in a different body?
Similarly, to what extent are we defined by our history and our memories? Could we imagine "ourselves" without any memories? What of people who have lost their memories in various ways (like brain injuries or dementia), do they cease to be "themselves"? Or at least the people they once were?
Many of us feel that there is some nugget which is quintessentially us, yet neuroscience and psychology has so far failed to find any evidence for this. Why do some (most?) people hold onto this sense of self?
What relation do we have to our previous and future selves? To what extent are we the same person, is there anything about us that stays the same?
To what extent are we defined by our character traits?
How consistent are we in similar situations? To what extent does that make us predictable by those who know us?
What is happening when we act “out of character” or when we “are not feeling ourselves”?Buddha is quoted as saying: “Wise people fashion themselves”. To what extent can we control who we are – building attributes we choose to have, and excluding those we prefer not to have? To what extent can we “fake it ‘til we make it”? Or is such behaviour “putting on an act” which those who know prior versions of ourselves can “see through”?
In this context, what does it mean to be “authentic”?Assuming that we are able to, should we attempt to "fashion ourselves"? And even if we can, and should, who or what is choosing the style we attempt to fashion ourselves in? And on what basis is that choice being made?
In what ways (if any) might we consider the self to be an “illusion”?
Does a contemporary scientific/philosophical analysis of "self" leave any room for a "soul"? What might that mean? Is contemporary thought missing something?
Is there any sense in which aspects of the self exist before birth or after death of the body?Is it conceivable that a "self" could ever be downloaded to a machine of some sort in the future?
There is much to consider here. Some preparation would enhance our discussion. Here are some links you might find useful:
- Julian Baggini talk…
https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_baggini_is_there_a_real_you (12 mins)
This supports his book ‘The Ego trick: what does it mean to be you?’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1847081924 which prompted this discussion topic. - Crash course in philosophy videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trqDnLNRuSc (8 mins)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17WiQ_tNld4 (10 mins) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_self
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_identity
Looking forward to sharing our views on these issues.
11 attendees- Julian Baggini talk…
Past events
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