For our October walk we'll be discussing the nature of **social reality** inspired by the book **Making the Social World** by John Searle.

*"What kinds of things are money, property, governments, nations, marriages, cocktail parties, and football games? How is it possible that we can have factual objective knowledge of a reality that is created by subjective opinions? Searle explains the key role played by language in the creation, constitution, and maintenance of social reality."*

We'll be walking around Regents Park: meet at 11am at the entrance to Regent's Park on the corner of the Outer Circle and Park Square East, nearest postcode: NW1 4LB. Nearest tube stations: Regents Park or Great Portland Street.

There will be some notes based on the book below but you don't have to read the book to attend.

**Making the Social World**
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Social-World-John-Searle/dp/0199695261

You might find these lectures interesting but they are rather long so don't feel obliged to watch them:
[John Searle - The Normative Structure of Human Civilization](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edn8R7ojXFg)
[A theory of Social Ontology' - John Searle, 15 June 2015](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XTwCGvO1T4&list=PLrnecWihMsl3YQhi962z_esKZZgBRLeNU)
[Language & Social Ontology (John Searle)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaQ7Q5I4kj4&t=708s)
[Searle: Philosophy of Society, lecture 1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1_dc6sAy1k&list=PLuFS1JW76zlJi0P99-_GT-_Js0wDXYibB)

Sadly, John Searle recently passed away:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/05/john-searle-obituary

**Please read the following notes carefully and check the meeting point location details before attending!**

This is a walking discussion group with handouts with quotes and questions provided as a starting point. The only rule is to keep all discussion friendly and constructive and be respectful of other attendees. No dogs please as they can be distracting in the group discussion. **Please arrive early: we wait a maximum of 15 minutes at the meeting location and once we have left it will be very difficult to find us.** The walk will go ahead no matter the weather so do dress appropriately and bring an umbrella if needed.

There is a £5 fee for this walk to contribute towards the meetup.com fees and other costs. If you are a student, retired or genuinely can't afford the fee then you can attend for free. You can pay in cash or card on the walk or online with this link:
[https://pay.tide.co/products/philosophy-kfDyHrXZ](https://pay.tide.co/products/philosophy-kfDyHrXZ)

Sam B

London Philosophy Walks

Philosophy & Code

Science & Education

Philosophy

Walking

Philosophy & Ethics

Philosophy of Mind

Political Philosophy

Debate

Ethics

Intellectual Discussions

Hiking

Making the Social World - Regents Park Philosophy Walk

Regents Park 

Share

London Philosophy Walks

Making the Social World - Regents Park Philosophy Walk

London Philosophy Walks

Details

Members are also interested in