About us
The Existentialist Society is for those who question whether life has a meaning and a purpose. And for those who despairingly ponder whether one can live without self-deception or without hedonistic escapism. Yet who, despite the anguish of life's futility and meaninglessness, still seek purpose and an authentic existence.
The Existentialist Society is for those who are fascinated by the ideas of Simone de Beauvoir, Nicholas Berdyaev, Martin Buber, Rudolph Bultmann, Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Viktor Frankl, Martin Heidegger, Karl Jaspers, Franz Kafka, Nikos Kazantzakis, Soren Kierkegaard, R.D. Laing, Gabriel Marcel, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, Max Stirner, Paul Tillich, Colin Wilson, etc.
'Existentialism' is an umbrella term covering diverse and often conflicting schools of thought. Consequently we are not agreed on who or what is an Existentialist; we simply agree to disagree.
Inspired by the Student Revolt of the late Sixties, the Existentialist Society commenced in 1971.
LECTURES take place at 2pm on the first Saturday of the month.
All are welcome. Participation is free.
NOTE: Due to the pandemic, our physical in-person Meetups and lectures were cancelled. All the lectures are now online via Zoom. This enables participation by those interstate and overseas.
Following our monthly lecture, during the extended question and discussion period, additional comments are encouraged from those of our participants who might have more knowledge than the speaker on particular aspects of the topic, as well as from those who have an alternative viewpoint.
Sometimes our lecture topics have no direct bearing upon Existentialism. The speakers on such topics may or may not be conversant with Existentialism.
The Existentialist Society has no formal membership, so there is no membership fee.
See the Existentialist Society website for future lectures, past transcripts and videos etc: www.existentialistmelbourne.org
Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@existentialistsociety8453
Facebook: Please feel free to comment on the lectures: - www.facebook.com/Existentialist-Society-866984573402226/
Upcoming events
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The Ancient Gnostic Manichaean Religion
·OnlineOnlineEXISTENTIALIST MEETUP - Melbourne, Australia.
History of Religion: Our monthly online Meetup presentation.
The presentations are followed by questions, comments and discussion. All viewpoints welcome.Early Religion: An Alternative History.
What do the historians and archaeologists think of the veracity of religious legends? Legends are an amalgamation of history and mythology. But how much of each?"THE ANCIENT GNOSTIC MANICHAEAN RELIGION."
In the Manichaean religion "Evil" had the overwhelming power. Nevertheless, Goodness was worshipped by the Manichaeans as love, compassion, kindness and gentleness. Therefore the Manichaeans viewed the all-powerful gods (Almighty, Omnipotent) as the embodiment of Evil.
Consequently, "power" itself was seen as evil.
No wonder the Empires hated them!We will be investigating Prof. Hans Jonas' attempt to construct an ongoing consistent narrative of the Manichaean mythology out of the diverse versions of this "heresy" which were presented in the ancient sources and in the anti-heretical writings of the Church Fathers.
Hans Jonas' book: "The Gnostic Religion: The Message of the Alien God and the Beginnings of Christianity".
David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
See his introduction to the topic in the 'Comments' section, below.Wikipedia's entry on Manichaeism
YouTube: The Manichaean Creation Myth
The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 880 9519 7471 - - Passcode: 069982
Don't be deterred if you are late - join the event at any time.18 attendees
Liberation Theology.
·OnlineOnlineSEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA) - Melbourne.
Some of us are participating in SoFiA's online event.
"LIBERATION THEOLOGY".
Dr. Carlos Morreo (University of Melbourne) will present the topic and lead the discussion.
The ZOOM LINK will appear on this page for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 859 6806 5046 - - Passcode: 865333
Don't be deterred if you are late;
join the event at any time.~ SoFiA promotes the open exploration of religion, spirituality and the search for meaning. They welcome ALL viewpoints, including Atheism.~
Facebook: 'Sofiatalk' - Please join their ongoing discussions.
22 attendees
Philosophy of Science: Demystified and De-Sanctified.
·OnlineOnlineEXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Dr. Usha Sista will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"Philosophy of Science: Demystified and De-Sanctified."
This event is held in conjunction with The Philosophers Bazaar
Usha Sista will explore what philosophy of science is, its historical trajectory, the meaning and purpose of "science", "metascience", models of reality and about "scientific method". Her aim is to clarify the fundamental tenets of philosophy of science and of human inquiry.
BIO: Usha Sista is a learning and development professional. She has a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience and Masters in English as well as Molecular Biotechnology. Some of her key areas of interest are neurobiology of well-being and the behavioural and neurobiological underpinnings of deviant behaviour.
Wikipedia on Philosophy of Science
The ZOOM LINK will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 832 2688 7266 - - Passcode: 307016Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook
20 attendees
Gnosticism and Agnosticism: Is there any significant difference?
·OnlineOnlineAGNOSTICS GROUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
"GNOSTICISM AND AGNOSTICISM: IS THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE?"
Bill Hendry will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Wikipedia on Gnosticism
Wikipedia on Agnosticism
The ZOOM LINK will appear on this page for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 840 4870 3418 - - Passcode: 799049
Don't be deterred if you are late - join the event at any time.Existentialist Society:
Website - - YouTube - - Weekly Zoom Meetups7 attendees
Past events
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