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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•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: An Open Consideration of All Versions."
Dr. Neville Buch will present the topic and lead the discussion.
INTRO: "The concept of agnosticism, far exceeding a mere simplistic doubt regarding the existence of a deity, can be broadly understood as a suspension of judgment rooted in the recognition of epistemic uncertainty or the inherent limits of human knowledge regarding a proposition or domain.
Philosophically, agnosticism is often presented as a form of skepticism, characterized by the commitment to circumspection and intellectual honesty, demanding that one withhold belief when the available evidence is deemed insufficient.
In its highest philosophical form, it recognizes that knowledge about ultimate reality or theological claims is unknowable or incomprehensible to finite human reason, a position Kant himself adopted regarding metaphysical matters.
This intellectual posture, however, is not necessarily passive; it can be an active belief that knowledge of "x" is not known and not knowable, leading to an ethical stance where one "ought to be agnostic" and act in accordance with that principle, or conversely, it can be dismissed as a "foolish stance" or "wilful ignorance" when used as a dishonest rhetorical device or against clearly established knowledge.
This perspective holds that because agnosticism about the existence of God is a non-commitment on ontology, it becomes an uninteresting and indifferent philosophical stance compared to focusing on what meaning or universal value can be derived from the realm of signs and symbols."
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.29 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 - - - Facebook43 attendees
•OnlineCynics, Stoics and Skeptics.
OnlineAGNOSTICS GROUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
Mike Vallis will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"CYNICS, STOICS AND SKEPTICS"
A brief overview of three Naturalistic Hellenic Philosophies.
Mike is a long-standing member of the Melbourne Theosophical Society
~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 eventually appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 892 9125 3249 - - Passcode: 038506
Existentialist Society's Website - - YouTube - - Weekly Zoom Meetups19 attendees
•OnlineFrom the Human Jesus to the Imperial Christ.
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?
"FROM THE HUMAN JESUS TO THE IMPERIAL CHRIST."
There were dozens of varieties of Christianity at the time of the Early Church. That version of Jesus which was contained within the one particular variety of Christianity which was selected by the Roman Emperors, eventually became the Christ of the Empire's state religion.
How and why did this happen?
David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
The Zoom Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Existentialist Society: Website - - - YouTube14 attendees
Past events
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