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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Augustine, Nietzsche and the West's Future.
·OnlineOnlineSEA OF FAITH IN AUSTRALIA (SoFiA) - Melbourne.
Some of us are participating in SoFiA's online event.
Mettalia Tanjaya will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"Augustine, Nietzsche and the Question of the West's Future".
The ZOOM link will appear on this page for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 876 5265 8471 - - Passcode: 291984SoFiA 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.
37 attendees
United Colours of Jürgen Habermas.
·OnlineOnlineEXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Lev Lafayette (International Society for Philosophers) will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"The United Colours of Jürgen Habermas:
- A Life's Work."Wikipedia on Jürgen Habermas
The ZOOM LINK will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 893 3461 7524 - - Passcode: 011056Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook
31 attendees
"Dust to God."
·OnlineOnlineAGNOSTICS GROUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Some of us are participating in their online event.
"Dust to God: An adventure to find the sacred hidden in plain sight."
Dr. Nicholas Coleman will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Nicholas Coleman's Book
~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: 840 3201 5784 - - Passcode: 320657
Existentialist Society's Website - - YouTube13 attendees
The Ancient Gnostic Valentinians.
·OnlineOnlineEXISTENTIALIST 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 ANCIENT GNOSTIC VALENTINIANS."
The Valentinian Godhead, rather than a Trinity, was fifteen loving monogamous couples. So, unlike the majority of the Gnostics they were not ascetic, nor licentious like the minority. Consequently, the Valentinians have become the most popular variety of Gnosticism. After her Fall, Sophia, the youngest of the goddesses, became the Biblical Creator God's grandmother.We will be investigating Prof. Hans Jonas' attempt to construct an ongoing consistent narrative of the Valentianian mythology out of the diverse versions of this "heresy" which were presented 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".
Valentinianism from 'Early Christian History'.
David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 848 4783 0910 - - Passcode: 6443449 attendees
Past events
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