Exeter (and international) Philosophy Meetup Group

Death is the one appointment none of us can cancel, reschedule, or pretend got lost in the spam folder. Yet for something so certain, it remains strangely difficult to talk about. We avoid it, joke about it, medicalise it, spiritualise it, fear it, romanticise it, and occasionally turn it into prestige television. This event invites us to look directly, but gently, at mortality: not simply as an ending, but as a lens through which questions of identity, freedom, love, inequality, justice, courage, grief, and meaning come sharply into focus.

How does the knowledge that life is finite influence the choices we make, the risks we take, and the relationships we value? In what ways does death challenge our ideas of fairness, especially when lives are cut short by illness, violence, poverty, or neglect? Can reflecting on mortality help us live more freely, or does it burden us with anxiety and regret? If our memories, bodies, beliefs, and desires change over time, what exactly is the “self” whose death we fear? How do grief, love, and attachment reveal what matters most to us, and can the pain of loss ever become part of a meaningful life? Is death best understood as a harm, a natural limit, a mystery, a liberation, or simply a fact around which human beings build stories? And if there are no easy answers, what might it mean to face mortality with honesty, compassion, humour, and care?

No prior philosophical qualification required - just curiosity, a willingness to listen, and an openness to multiple ways of knowing.

The meetup sessions often consists of the following:

1. Cheery welcomes to familiar faces and those that feel like chatting.
2. A presentation about the topic, lasts between 15-25 minutes (more or less). This is a way to provide some fundamentals.
3. Open floor to people that put up their hands to contribute their thoughts, should they want to.
4. A teary farewell as the clock announces a sad completion of the session; well-wishing until we all meet again.

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Alright folks! I want to give a little disclaimer - I’m not claiming to be an expert on the topics we’ll be discussing. My aim is to create a judgment-free zone where attendees can share thoughts and experiences openly.

Let’s approach our conversations with open minds and a sense of curiosity, knowing that we each bring unique backgrounds and perspectives. Please feel encouraged to express yourself in ways that reflect who you are, and let’s all keep in mind that our words carry meaning for those around us. The intention of the meetup is to learn from one another, so if anyone feels uncomfortable or misunderstood at any point, please don’t hesitate to speak up. This way, we can address things together and make sure everyone feels valued and included.

The goal is to explore ideas collaboratively, without promoting any particular viewpoint. We may not find simple answers to the questions we face, but by approaching them with empathy, respect, and inclusivity, we can gain new insights and work towards positive change.

Breaking News
Our regularly scheduled philosophical confusion has been temporarily interrupted.
For one session only, Five Seats, Infinite Questions is delighted to welcome a special discussion inspired by Michael Sturza's The London Revolution.

Please note that this week the five seats limit has been lifted.

Rather than inventing our own impossible questions, we'll borrow a few from seventeenth-century London - a place where people were asking who should govern, who should own what, and whether society itself could be rebuilt from the ground up.
Don't worry, we'll still likely leave with more questions than answers. Some traditions are simply too important to overthrow.

Event Overview
For most of us, the English Civil War conjures up a hazy collection of kings, Parliament, roundheads, cavaliers, and perhaps the occasional exam flashback. But beneath the familiar story lies something far more radical: a period in which ordinary people questioned who should hold power, who should own land, what freedom actually means, and whether society itself could be organised in a completely different way.

This discussion explores the ideas presented in Michael Sturza's The London Revolution: 1640–1643 – Class Struggles in Seventeenth-Century England. Rather than treating history as a collection of dates and famous figures, Sturza examines the competing interests, social conflicts, and political movements that emerged as London became a centre of revolutionary change. Together we'll consider not only what happened, but what these events might still have to say about democracy, inequality, collective action, political legitimacy, and the possibility of social transformation today.

Who gets to decide how society should be organised? Are revolutions driven by great individuals, or by ordinary people acting together? Can meaningful political change happen without conflict, or is struggle an unavoidable part of history? When existing institutions seem unjust, where does legitimate authority come from? How do wealth, class, and power shape the freedoms people actually possess? And what can a revolution that took place nearly four centuries ago teach us about the political and economic questions we continue to wrestle with today?

This session will begin with a short introduction to some of the key ideas from The London Revolution, after which the floor will be opened for a collaborative discussion. Whether you've read the book cover to cover, dipped into a few chapters, or are simply curious about the themes, you're warmly invited to join the conversation.

No prior knowledge of seventeenth-century England, political philosophy, or revolutionary history is required—just curiosity, a willingness to listen, and an openness to exploring ideas together.

The meetup session will roughly follow this format:

• Cheery welcomes to familiar faces and those that feel like chatting.
• A short introduction to Michael, and some of the key ideas explored in his book The London Revolution.
• An open discussion where everyone is welcome to contribute questions, reflections, agreements, disagreements, or entirely new perspectives.
• A teary farewell as the clock announces the sad completion of the session; well-wishing until we all meet again.

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A small disclaimer...
While this discussion is inspired by Michael Sturza's book, the purpose of the evening isn't to provide a definitive interpretation of his work, nor am I presenting myself as an expert on the history or politics involved. The aim is simply to create a thoughtful, welcoming space where we can examine the ideas together.

Let's approach the conversation with curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to hear perspectives that may differ from our own. Everyone brings different experiences, knowledge, and assumptions, and that's precisely what makes these discussions interesting. If something feels unclear, challenging, or uncomfortable, please feel free to say so. The goal isn't to win debates or persuade others to adopt a particular position, but to better understand the questions the book raises—and perhaps discover a few new ones along the way.

History often feels distant, but the questions it leaves us with rarely are. By exploring them together with empathy, respect, and intellectual curiosity, we may not arrive at final answers, but we can leave with a richer understanding of both the past and ourselves.

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Love our discussions?
If you enjoy these events and would like to help keep them going, you're welcome to support the group with a book or a cup of coffee.