What we’re about
A group for those with open minds who are interested in reading, discussing, and applying works of philosophy.
This group would meet to discuss works of philosophy, but just as importantly would assist each other in working through passages. We would help each other read philosophical texts, in the process becoming more adept readers and thinkers.
Discussion would focus on the texts but also equally on application of the ideas. In other words, doing philosophy in addition to consuming it. Philosophy is a practice.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Experience and Ideas (David Hume)Panera Bread, Raleigh, NC
Discussion of David Hume's (1748) An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. (~80-90 pages)
We will consider Hume's thoughts on the origins of human knowledge and its relationship to experience. The obligatory relationship of knowing with experiencing poses interesting problems and constraints on what can be known and how.
This reading will be the first of a series on thought and epistemology
Download: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding [PDF]
- Innate Ideas (John Locke and G.W. Leibniz)Panera Bread, Raleigh, NC
Conversation about two important works on epistemology that engage with the concept of innate ideas and differ on whether humans have them or if, instead, all knowledge comes out of experience.
Readings (with download links):
- John Locke (1689): An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (Book I, ~50 pages)
- G.W. Leibniz (1765): New Essays on Human Understanding (Preface and Book I, ~60 pages)
- Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics (Kant)Panera Bread, Raleigh, NC
Conversation about what I hope will be a good book to introduce us to Kant's Critique of Practical Reason. This book allows us to see a more accessible and tidy presentation of Kant's contribution to the debates over models of knowledge, finding middle ground between those favoring reason over experience or experience over reason.
Reading
- Kant, Immanuel (1783). Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics
The version I will be reading is the Hackett (2001) printing
- Critique of Pure Reason (Kant) Session 1 of 3Panera Bread, Raleigh, NC
The first conversation about Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.
Reading
- Kant, Immanuel (1781) Critique of Pure Reason
For session 1 of 3, we will read from Section I "Elements of Transcendentalism", including:
- Part I "Transcendental Aesthetic" (sections I and II)
- Part II "Transcendental Logic" (division I, books I and II)
Total = ~100 pages
I will also be using Norman Kemp Smith's (2013) *A Commentary to Kant's 'Critique of Pure Reason' *for additional interpretive guidance. Link to Project Gutenberg.
