What we’re about
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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•OnlineBeliefs, Spirituality and Religions.
OnlineAGNOSTICS GROUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
Michelle Lafrank will present the topic and lead the discussion.
~The Agnostics Group discusses the pros and cons of Agnosticism.
They welcome ALL viewpoints, including criticism of Agnosticism~
Wikipedia on Spirituality
Agnostics Group Facebook
The ZOOM Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 842 2539 4984 - - Passcode: 99292918 attendees
•OnlineThe Inter-Testament Years.
OnlineEXISTENTIALIST MEETUP - Melbourne, Australia.
History of Religion - Our monthly online series.
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 INTER-TESTAMENT YEARS."
What a cast of characters! The Roman General Pompey, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Marc Antony, Octavian/Augustus, Herod the Great and, of course, Jesus.
A couple of decades after Pompey's conquest of Jerusalem in 63 BC, the Parthian Empire overran the Levant and Anatolia. Led by the Roman General, Quintus Labienus, the Parthians intervened in the Battle of Philippi in 41 BC on the side of the Senate and Caesar's assassins.
In Judea, the Parthians put a puppet King, Antigonus, on the Throne. Herod, Govenor of Galilee, fled to Rome where the Senate declared him King of Judea. With the help of Roman Legions, supplied by Marc Antony, Herod conquered Judea in 37 BC.
David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Background information for those interested:
YouTube on Judea Under Roman Rule
The Zoom Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 874 4432 4152 - - Passcode: 803516
Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook11 attendees
•OnlineAgnosticism: An Open Consideration of All Versions.
OnlineSEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA) - Melbourne.
Some of us are participating in SoFiA's online event.
"Agnosticism: A Consideration of All Versions."
Dr. Neville Buch will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Wikipedia on Agnosticism
The ZOOM LINK will appear on this page for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 828 1591 9455 - - Passcode: 786285
~ SoFiA promotes the open exploration of religion, spirituality and the search for meaning. They welcome ALL viewpoints, including Atheism.~
SOFiA Website.
Facebook: 'Sofiatalk' - Please join their ongoing discussions.13 attendees
•OnlineSchopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche and Beyond.
OnlineEXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Prof. Steven Taubeneck will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard, Marx, Nietzsche and Beyond."
The ZOOM LINK will eventually appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 820 6928 1456 - - Passcode: 864904
Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook19 attendees
Past events
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