About us
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’s missing in our lives? And is it “God-shaped”?
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. Please arrive in time for a prompt start at 7:30.
In some Christian circles there is an idea that in all of us there is a “God-shaped hole” - the idea that everyone needs God; those who seek Him find Him, but those who do not, vainly fill the “void” with other things. The origins of the idea appear to stem from Blaise Pascal, the 17th century French mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and Catholic writer. In his book Pensées, published posthumously in 1670, he suggests that we are all engaged in a futile search for a true happiness but that however much we have, we remain dissatisfied. This leads him to propose that “this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself”.
In the 20th century Existentialist thought suggests that although the “hole” is real, it is not “God-shaped”. Instead, existentialists argue that the feeling of emptiness is the result of confronting the absurdity of a world devoid of inherent, preordained purpose. Rather than seeking to fill this void with a divine plug, existentialists believe in accepting the void and taking on the radical responsibility of creating one’s own meaning.
American psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed his hierarchy of needs, the highest level being “self-actualisation”. Maslow describes this as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be. In later work he extended this idea to suggest that transcending the self and having a broader sense of purpose and connection to others, is the peak of human experience. Perhaps this is his approach to filling the "hole".
What are our own personal experiences? Do we find ourselves searching in vain for some deeper meaning or purpose? If so, why? If not, what makes us feel adequately fulfilled?
What is it, exactly, that we are searching for? How would we recognise it if we had it?
To what extent has the development of scientific understanding filled any “God-shaped hole”, in the 350 years since Pascal’s writing?
In what ways might some notion of “God”, possibly combined with belonging to some form of religious community, fill the “infinite abyss” we may feel?
Even if a “God-shaped” solution doesn’t work for us, can we understand why it has been, and remains, so important for human societies?
Is there a different sort of hole that isn’t “God-shaped”?
Some optional prior reading:
Where does the concept of a "God-shaped hole" originate?
Pascal’s Pensées (Wikipedia)
Existentialism
Maslow's hierarchy of needsCafé Philo discussions always try to be respectful of everyone’s point of view. This topic is potentially more controversial than some, so please be respectful of all points of view, even if you disagree.
Hope to see you there.
7 attendees
Past events
13
