Dying on a Hill – A Philosophy Meetup
Details
What is a claim you’re willing to defend—at least for 15 minutes?
In this meetup, each participant comes prepared with a clear philosophical thesis (for example: “Abortion is morally permissible,” “Free will is an illusion,” or “Art has no objective value”). One at a time, a participant will “die on their hill” by defending their thesis against objections from the group for a focused 15-minute exchange.
You may choose a position you genuinely believe—or deliberately take on a stance as a devil’s advocate. The goal is not to “win,” but to clarify ideas under pressure: to see what actually follows from a claim, where it breaks, and what it commits you to.
Format
- One participant presents a clear thesis.
- 15 minutes of objections, challenges, and probing questions from others.
- The defender responds in real time, refining or holding the line.
- Brief reflection before moving on to the next hill.
Why this format?
- It trains intellectual courage and charity.
- It exposes hidden assumptions.
- It sharpens argumentation far more than abstract discussion.
- It’s serious philosophy—but also playful and experimental.
No prior expertise required—just a willingness to think clearly, listen carefully, and defend a position under fire. Come prepared to die on a hill… or discover you shouldn’t have chosen it in the first place.
Description by ChatGPT