The BIG IDEAS Book Club

Gluttony. Greed. Sloth. Pride. Envy. Lust. Wrath. These are the seven deadly sins, the vices of humankind that define immorality, the roots of all evil in the world. Or so some believe. But do these sins really represent moral failings, or are they simply wired human functions that aid us, and sometimes fail us? Is envy always corrosive, or can it be a spur to ambition? Is wrath always destructive, or can righteous anger fuel positive change? As we explore these ancient categories, we might also ask: who benefits from labelling these emotions as 'deadly'—and who is being warned? So, whether you identify as saint, sinner, or somewhere in between, share with us your favourite vice or indulgence at our meetup discussion as we delve into the complex world of sin.

Podcast: Stephen Fry’s 7 Deadly Sins (8-part audio series) (2020) by Stephen Fry.

Book: Seven Deadly Sins - The Biology of Being Human (2024) by Guy Leschziner.

This month we have two alternatives for you (but you are welcome to do both). For a cultural, philosophical, and entertaining take on the topic, Stephen Fry’s 7 Deadly Sins is an eight-part audio series in which Fry reflects on each of the sins with his characteristic wit, erudition, and curiosity. He moves beyond simplistic moral judgments, inviting listeners to think critically and playfully about the role each sin plays in our inner lives and social systems. With references to literature, history, psychology, and pop culture, Fry opens up the sins as complex human tendencies—sometimes shameful, sometimes essential, always fascinating.

For those interested in a more scientific approach in the tradition of Oliver Sacks, Seven Deadly Sins: The Biology of Being Human (2024) by Guy Leschziner explores the seven deadly sins through the lens of contemporary neuroscience. Leschziner, a consultant neurologist, delves into how brain function and evolutionary forces shape emotions and impulses like pride, greed, lust, and envy. Rather than moral failings, these “sins” are reframed as deeply human drives that have helped our species survive—though not without consequences in the modern world. The book blends clinical case studies, scientific research, and personal insight to show how the biology of the brain intersects with timeless ethical concerns.

To enrich the meetup conversation and provide shared reference points, you’re strongly encouraged to engage with at least one of these two resources—the podcast or the book—though you’re very welcome to explore both. There are also some other related resources linked below that you may wish to look at (but totally optional).

So, join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6.30pm Monday, 2nd June at the far-end of the 2nd floor at the Keg & Brew Hotel, Surrey Hills. The Keg & Brew is close to Central Station and the Light Rail.

We hope to see you there and look forward to a deliciously sinful discussion!

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 people if there is a waitlist.

p.p.s. Please adjust your email notifications (particularly for the Big Ideas Book Club settings in the main email notification settings page). This is useful for giving any final details or late changes to the event.

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These are just possible links to consider, particularly if you can't get the book. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section.

“The best minds of my generation are thinking about how to make people click ads” – Jeff Hammerbacher (an early Facebook engineer). Is there something to this? Is too much human talent being wasted in pointless, socially worthless, or just plain harmful jobs? And even for those who have avoided the temptation of the fat salary, fancy title and corner office—and the stress and exhaustion that usually comes with it—will it be enough to say at the end of your life that you were happy? Do you also want to say that you made a positive difference to the world? Let’s do a meetup to discuss.

Book: Moral Ambition – Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference (2025) by Rutger Bregman.

The author of our book this month, Dutch historian Rutger Bregman, is the bestselling author of Utopia for Realists (2016) and Humankind (2021). You may also remember him from his viral 2019 panel speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos where he pointedly told the wealthy elite that they needed to stop talking about philanthropy and start paying their fair share of taxes. He hasn’t been invited back. ("Was it something I said?" he later tweeted). Likewise, be prepared to feel chastised while reading this book. You’ve been warned!

In the book, Bregman challenges conventional notions of career success, urging individuals—particularly those in privileged positions—to redirect their talents toward addressing pressing social issues. He introduces "moral ambition" as a guiding principle, with the idea of capturing the idealism of an activist with the ambition of an entrepreneur. Uncovering the qualities that made the great change-makers of history so effective, he shows how we too can lend our talents to the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to inequality to the next pandemic. With moral ambition, we can be both idealistic and successful, and change the world along the way.

As usual, to enrich the meetup conversation and provide shared reference points, you’re strongly encouraged to read the book. (It's out now, including Abbeys and Dymocks. It's also available on Amazon, but persist with its search engine if you land on an old page claiming it's currently unavailable.) There are also some related resources linked below that you may wish to look at (and totally optional if you have read the book. But I would recommend the fun and informative Jon Stewart interview for everyone).

So, join us for a drink (and optional meal) at 6.30pm Monday, 7th July on the 2nd floor of the Keg & Brew Hotel, Surrey Hills. The Keg & Brew is close to Central Station and the Light Rail.

We hope to see 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 people if there is a waitlist.

p.p.s. Please adjust your email notifications (particularly for the Big Ideas Book Club settings in the main email notification settings page). This is useful for giving any final details or late changes to the event.

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These are just optional links to consider, particularly if you can't get the book. Feel free to pass on other useful links in the discussion section.

Audio-Visual

• Three interviews with Bregman on the book (Jon Stewart, LinkedIn News, ABC Radio National):