What we’re about
Announcement: We're having our Easter Break and will be back in May!
Tired of talking about the weather, food and traffic? Isn’t there more to life?
Originally started in Scotland, "Philosophy For All" aims to be a vibrant, global forum for discussing philosophy, life, science, art and thought. We are an all age group dedicated to exchanging ideas, having fun and expanding the limits of our perceptions.
Our ethos = Be excellent to each other. Listen actively. Test ideas and be open to learn something new. And have fun and try your best.
All you need is an open mind and a curious heart!
For more information and discussion join our Discord Server
https://discord.gg/ZMRR2thEAz
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Some info about the group size: The group has a limit of 50 members. With a lot of interest in this group, we have to be quite strict with the admission criteria. If you're member of more than 7 Groups already or choose to hide your group memberships, we might not be able to admit you.
We also review the member list and might have to remove Members who have not been actively participating for a while (usually >2-6 months of inactivity). We're sorry about that, but we feel this is just fair to the people who like to join us.
In both cases feel free to apply again, if your circumstances have changed. Thanks for your understanding.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Fit to Rule: What Makes a Good Leader—Ethics or Ego?Link visible for attendees
Hey Folks,
What makes someone fit to rule—wisdom, morality, charisma... or just the loudest voice in the room? From Plato’s philosopher kings to today’s billionaire CEOs and political strongmen, the question of who should lead us has never been more urgent.
With Donald Trump now back in office for the last 100 days, and figures like Elon Musk shaping global influence from outside traditional government, leadership today is as much about brand, ego, and disruption as it is about values and vision.
Is it possible to lead without ego—or does success in the modern world demand a kind of bold, unapologetic self-belief? And if so, what happens to ethics, compassion, and the common good?
For this session, we’ll explore what philosophy has to say about leadership, power, and what kind of qualities we really want (or need) in those who shape our world.***
### Discussion Questions
- What makes someone truly "fit to rule"?
→ Is it knowledge, moral character, empathy, experience—or just the ability to gain influence? - Should leaders be philosophers—or just effective decision-makers?
→ Plato argued only philosophers should lead. Is that elitist, or visionary? - How do ego and ambition distort leadership?
→ Trump and Musk both embody high ego leadership—are they visionaries or cautionary tales? - What does the return of Trump say about modern leadership values?
→ Is democracy broken—or is it showing us what people really respond to? - Do we get the leaders we deserve—or the ones we click on?
→ Is leadership now shaped by charisma, followers, and spectacle? - Can emotional intelligence and humility survive in a world of disruption and dominance?
→ Or are those traits increasingly seen as weaknesses? - What would a "philosopher queen" look like today?
→ Are traditional leadership traits biased toward masculine archetypes? - Can leadership be taught—or is it innate?
→ What role does education play in shaping future leaders—Plato certainly had thoughts.
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### Quotes & Insights
- Plato (The Republic): "Until philosophers are kings... cities will have no rest from their evils."
→ Is it idealistic—or necessary—to demand wisdom and virtue from leaders? - Machiavelli: "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."
→ Are ruthless tactics more effective in power than integrity? - Simone Weil: "The highest function of leadership is to make oneself unnecessary."
→ Is good leadership about service, not control? - Aristotle: "He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader."
→ Do we value enough the ability to listen, learn, and evolve? - On Elon Musk (paraphrasing public sentiment): “Genius or megalomaniac?”
→ Is disruptive innovation a form of leadership—or a dangerous consolidation of unchecked power? - Hannah Arendt: "The most radical revolutionary will become a conservative the day after the revolution."
→ Do even visionary leaders eventually protect their own status quo?
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This session will explore how philosophy, politics, and tech culture collide in shaping today’s leaders—whether they’re elected, inherited, or self-appointed. We’ll dig into the tension between vision and vanity, service and spectacle, and what kind of leadership the future might actually need.
We'll 'meet' here at 19:00 UK time
https://meet.google.com/wmw-uuwq-xck - What makes someone truly "fit to rule"?
