What we’re about
Welcome to, what I hope is an intellectually stimulating book club people wanting to think about the world, perhaps even thinking about the unthinkable, whatever that may be! If you're eager to set sail on a captivating journey of profound thought and engaging conversations, you've found a possible port right here.
Our online group is a sanctuary for exchanging ideas, opinions, and insights inspired by thought-provoking books and topics. We select member suggestions that are (usually) readily available in multiple formats, catering to both avid readers and those who prefer audio or visual content. While philosophy and psychology form the foundation of our topics, we're open to expanding our horizons based on the preferences of our attendees.
During our meetups, we'll navigate through some of the ideas contained in the topic under discussion, exploring its rich themes and concepts. The sessions will usually e based around a slide show covering some of the key points of the subject, be it a book or concept.
We value dynamic and active participation from members that would like to engage (although observers are also welcome). Participation is encouraged to save humanity from the possibility of having to endure a monotonous 90-minute monologue from me.
As a valued member, you'll receive ample notice to obtain and contemplate the material. Then, during our meetups, you'll have the floor to present your questions, interpretations, and even share constructive criticisms. Our aim is to create an inclusive space where ideas are explored from multiple angles and genuine dialogue thrives.
Please join us if you revel in the exploration of ideas, relish open discussions, and seek to connect with fellow thinkers who approach concepts from myriad perspectives. However, if you're simply seeking a platform to assert your strong opinions without consideration for others, this may not be the ideal setting for you.
We eagerly anticipate the eclectic array of thoughts and ideas bouncing around in your brilliant mind. Join us as we embark on an enthralling intellectual adventure together!
Note: To maintain a respectful and inclusive environment, we encourage the exchange of ideas without forcefully imposing our own personal beliefs on others.
---
Want to help support the ongoing running costs of the groups, but don't know how? Don't worry, I've got you covered. ;) Feel free to do a one time payment (possibly multiple times) at BuyMeACoffee.
Thank you very much. <3
Upcoming events (1)
See all- A Modest Proposal by Jonathan SwiftLink visible for attendees
Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49596687-a-modest-proposal) is a landmark eighteenth-century satire that exposes how polite “reason” and economic improvement can mask cruelty. First published anonymously in 1729, the pamphlet adopts an icily rational tone to criticise prevailing attitudes to poverty, policy, and Ireland.
At its core, Swift builds a chillingly “reasonable” narrator who treats human beings as entries in a ledger, weaponising arithmetic, market logic, and polished prose. Drawing on the conditions of eighteenth-century Ireland and the pamphlet culture of the time, the text turns the language of reform against itself to show how rhetoric can dehumanise.
Themes explored in the book:
- The Satiric Persona and Deadpan Irony: How Swift’s cool, managerial voice sustains the piece’s irony, making the moral horror visible precisely through a tone of calm calculation.
- Economics as Rhetoric, Numbers, Prices, and “Improvement”: The strategic use of statistics, cost–benefit language, and household arithmetic to mimic policy argument and reveal its blind spots.
- Colonial Context and Power: The Irish setting, English rule, and landlordism as the unspoken backdrop; who is being criticised, and why that matters for interpretation.
- Language, Dehumanisation, and Moral Shock: How euphemism, technocratic jargon, and polite style can strip away personhood; the ethics and limits of shock in satire.
- Pamphlet Form, Audience, and Reception: The conventions of the short political pamphlet, its intended readers, and the text’s afterlife as a touchstone of political satire.
---
This meetup will be based around a presentation of some of the core ideas from A Modest Proposal. This will provide a foundation for discussion, but the conversation is open to your insights and reflections. Whether you’re new to Swift or revisiting this classic, come along and share your perspective!
---
💡 Love our book club discussions? Show your support with a book or cup of coffee! ☕ Visit BuyMeACoffee (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/learncontemplatediscuss) to help fuel our passion for philosophy and books. Every contribution helps cover the costs of hosting, reading, and sharing ideas together.
