The Truth About Santa: A Philosophical Inquiry

We will be at Southeast Regional Library in Room C

About the Group:

This is a friendly Socratic Café where we explore big ideas through open conversation. No philosophy background is needed, just curiosity, respect, and a willingness to share and listen.

### **I.**Phase I: The Nature of Tradition (Definitions)

These questions explore what traditions actually are and why humans are drawn to them.

1. Defining the Concept: What is the precise difference between a "habit" (something we do automatically) and a "tradition" (something we do meaningfully)?
2. The Time Factor: How old does a practice need to be before it counts as a tradition? Can you invent a tradition instantly, or must it stand the test of time?
3. The Solo Tradition: Can a tradition exist if you are the only person who practices it, or does it require a community/family to be valid?
4. Value vs. Repetition: Do we value traditions because they are inherently good, or simply because they are familiar?
5. Authenticity: If you change a significant part of a ritual (e.g., serving lasagna instead of turkey), is it still the same tradition, or have you created something new?

### Phase II: The Christmas Lens (Specific Focus)

These questions dive into the specific rituals, myths, and behaviors of the holiday season.

6. The Santa Dilemma: Is telling children about Santa Claus a harmless exercise in imagination and wonder, or is it ethically wrong to lie to children about reality?
7. Secular vs. Sacred: Can you truly celebrate a religious holiday (like Christmas) if you don’t believe in the theology behind it, or are you just "going through the motions"?
8. The Ethics of Gifting: Is gift-giving in our society an act of genuine generosity, or has it become a social contract of reciprocal obligation?
9. The "Spirit" of the Season: We often speak of "The Christmas Spirit." Is this a real moral shift where people become kinder, or is it a temporary, performative emotion?
10. Inclusion and Exclusion: Does the overwhelming societal focus on Christmas create a sense of community, or does it inadvertently alienate those who do not celebrate it?

### Phase III: Identity & Personal Experience

These questions connect the topic to the participants' emotional lives and memories.

11. Nostalgia: Is nostalgia a healthy way to connect with our past, or does it prevent us from living fully in the present?
12. The Empty Chair: How do traditions change when the people who started them are no longer with us? Do we keep the tradition for them, or for ourselves?
13. Family Obligation: Do we have a moral duty to participate in family traditions even if we find them stressful or unenjoyable?
14. Evolution of Self: Think of a holiday tradition you loved as a child but dislike now. What does that change tell you about how you have grown?
15. The "Perfect" Holiday: Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to create a "perfect" holiday experience? What are we actually chasing?

### Phase IV: Societal Impact & Morality

These questions look at the broader implications of how we handle traditions.

16. Commercialization: Has the marketplace hijacked our traditions (buying gifts, decorations), or does commerce actually help facilitate and preserve these traditions?
17. Peer Pressure: To what extent are our holiday traditions driven by the fear of being judged by others (e.g., "What will the neighbors think if I don't put up lights?")?
18. Outdated Rituals: When a tradition conflicts with modern values (e.g., songs with questionable lyrics, gendered expectations of cooking), should we ban it, edit it, or preserve it as history?
19. Social Glue: Could a society function without shared holidays and rituals, or are they essential for keeping a civilization from falling apart?
20. The Burden of Choice: In the past, traditions were dictated by culture. Today, we choose our own. Does this freedom make us happier, or more anxious?