What we’re about
P&G is more than just a group of people. It is a community. A community of philosophers, thinkers, book readers, paper readers, and folks that ask the foundational questions. What is the meaning of life? How do we know what we know? What makes us human? These are some of the questions that P&G members explore together through lively discussions and debates. But P&G is not only about intellectual pursuits. It is also a community of thoughtful people coming together to hike, and hangout. Whether it's enjoying the beauty of nature, sharing a meal, or playing games, P&G members bond over their common interests and values. P&G is a community where you can find friends who challenge you to grow and support you along the way.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Philosophical Fragments as the Poetry of Thinking.Link visible for attendees
EXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online lecture/discussion.
Dr. Luke Fischer will present the topic and lead the discussion.
~ Like poetry, fragments condense insights into few words, employ striking metaphors that draw intuitive connections, and make space for creative interpretation. Contrasting with the logical linearity of much philosophy, fragments disclose rather than prove, intimate more than argue, suggest a whole without elaborating a system, and emphasize the intuitive act of thinking.
They re-adjust our understanding of philosophical ideas as they originate in moments of illumination, and reveal the fragment as philosophy in process. They shed light on the relation between poetry and philosophy, aesthetics and society, art and the environment. ~
The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 857 3397 3632 - - Passcode: 705191
NOTE: 9pm Friday in California is 2pm Saturday in Melbourne, Australia.Existentialist Society: Website - - - - YouTube - - - Facebook
Weekly Existentialist Society Zoom Meetups
- Jonathan Schaffer: Cosmic HeterogeneityLink visible for attendees
Reading for this Meeting: LINK
Join our newsletter: By simply adding your email to our form, you'll be subscribed to P&G's weekly philosophy reading materials: LINK
Our Discord Group: LINK
WARNING:
We'll have a review of the paper so far at the beginning of the meeting. New to the paper? It's ok. I got you. A little warning: It is full of philosophical jargon, and crazy technical. If you are into that sort of thing, be my guest. After the review, we will start reading from page 26 onward...ABOUT:
Is the universe built from the bottom up, or is the whole damn thing more than the sum of its parts?
This week we dive into Jonathan Schaffer’s bold claim that the cosmos—the entire universe—is the one and only fundamental thing. Forget atoms, particles, and Lego-block metaphysics. Schaffer says all the little stuff is just dependent noise dangling from the real deal: the whole. This view, called monism, flips the usual script in metaphysics.
We'll explore:- Why Schaffer thinks parts are overrated
- How quantum entanglement supports monism
- Whether emergence works one way only
- And what it means if the universe is one big inseparable unit
Come ready to challenge your assumptions. Are you a partist or a wholist? Let’s find out.
No prior knowledge required, but bring your curiosity and passion. - FTI: How Fair Is Our Justice System—And How Can We Make It Better?Link visible for attendees
The justice system is meant to be the great equalizer, protecting our rights and upholding the law. But is it truly just for all Americans today? In this thoughtful and personal conversation, we’ll explore the core questions surrounding our courts:
- How are judges and justices appointed, and how does that influence their decisions?
- What role, if any, does undisclosed (“dark”) money play in shaping judicial rulings?
- Why is public trust in the courts declining—and how can we rebuild it?
- What are some personal stories that reveal both the strengths and shortcomings of our current legal system?
- If our system isn’t perfect (and no system is), what reforms could make it fairer and more accountable—such as community courts or citizen juries?
Our goal is not to tear down the justice system but to improve it thoughtfully—protecting its essential role in society while correcting the ways it falls short of fairness. We’ll also discuss innovative ideas like local community courts and explore how ordinary citizens can help create a more just and trustworthy legal system.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a supporter of the courts, conservative or liberal, your voice matters in this conversation about how we define justice in America today—and tomorrow.Format: Lecture and discussion
Note: social time for our community 15 minutes before the presentation.
To get familiar with our past events, feel free to check out our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmixGB9GdrptyEWovEj80zgAfter registering via zoom, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We publish our event recordings on our Youtube channel to offer our help to anyone who would like to but can’t attend the meeting, so we need to give this clause. If you don’t want to be recorded, just remain on mute and keep your video off.
Here’s our legal notice: For valuable consideration received, by joining this event I hereby grant Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns, the irrevocable and unrestricted right to use and publish any and all Zoom recordings for trade, advertising and any other commercial purpose, and to alter the same without any restriction. I hereby release Free Thinker Institute and its legal representatives and assigns from all claims and liability related to said video recordings.
