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
5
•OnlineHellenism's Influence on the Religions
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?"HELLENISM'S INFLUENCE ON THE RELIGIONS"
Following Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire in 330 BC, the subsequent Hellenic Empires encouraged their various subject ethnicities to keep their own traditional religions. Nevertheless the religions were influenced and impacted by Hellenism:
In the Seleucid Empire the Zoroastrian religion's human Messiah became intensely anticipated and came to be regarded as divine. Consequently, the Parthian Empire's religion was a form of Hellenized Zoroastrianism.
The Ptolemaic Empire's Isis religion incorporated the Eleusinian Mysteries.
The one exception to Hellenic religious tolerance was Judea, where a Seleucid Emperor, Antiochus IV, attempted in vain to suppress its religion.David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Background information for those interested:
Wikipedia's entry on the Hellenistic PeriodThe Zoom Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 843 9423 4766 - - Passcode: 248037Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook
25 attendees
•OnlineAn Evolving Creation Story.
OnlineSEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA) - Melbourne.
Some of us are participating in SoFiA's online event.
Rev John Power will present the topic and lead the discussion.
~ Creation stories are the bedrock of every faith tradition.
The theory of evolution has upended centuries of static belief about our beginnings, leaving many grappling with fallout. But this is also an invitation; rather than simply deconstructing our inherited theology, we can forge a new, vibrant spirituality - one that embraces evolutionary insights, re-inscribes the sacred within a dynamic cosmos, and offers each of us a participatory role in an ever-unfolding creation.~BIO: John Power brings together a rich and diverse background in philosophy, theology, education, and psychotherapy. For over 35 years, he has served as an Anglican priest. A long-standing advocate for the Emerging Church and Evolutionary Theology, John is deeply committed to faith that evolves with understanding.
The ZOOM LINK will appear on this page for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 896 7054 1976 - - Passcode: 257309~ 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.
15 attendees
•OnlineDeleuze and Luhmann: Paradox, System and Psychoanalysis.
OnlineEXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Dr. Timothy Deane-Freeman (Deakin University)
will present the topic and lead the discussion."Deleuze and Luhmann: Paradox, System and Psychoanalysis."
Wikipedia on: Deleuze - - Luhmann
The ZOOM LINK will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 845 5121 1909 - - Passcode: 838440Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook
18 attendees
•OnlineThe Linguistic Origins of Terrestrial Legends and Celestial Myths.
OnlineAGNOSTICS GROUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
John Noack (Carl Jung Society) will present the topic and lead the discussion:
"THE LINGUISTIC ORIGINS OF TERRESTRIAL LEGENDS AND CELESTIAL MYTHS."
~The Agnostics Group discusses the pros and cons of Agnosticism.
They welcome ALL viewpoints, including criticism of Agnosticism~Agnostics Group Facebook
The ZOOM Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 812 2168 5611 - - Passcode: 500656Existentialist Society's Website - - YouTube - - Weekly Zoom Meetups
15 attendees
Past events
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