- On Friendship by Michel de MontaigneLink visible for attendees
In my advancing years, as I reflect on the life I have lived, I wonder about the people that have come into and out of my life. Many have been short-term friendships (weeks, months or a few years), and even the longer ones may be wanting in depth and continued engagement. Can I push the blame to others, or am I lacking the friendship commitment gene? I am going in search for answers from the French essayist, Michel de Montaigne, in his essay On Friendship [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/865876.On_Friendship]. Why not come and consider our collective thoughts On Friendship together, and while I cannot guarantee that you'll have more friends at the end of it, it may give you a chance to ponder why?
Some points we may explore from the essay:
- What makes a friendship truly special and different from other relationships in your life?
- Why do you think Montaigne believes true friendship is so rare? Do you agree?
- Can friendships really be based purely on mutual respect and shared values?
- How important is it for friends to have similar characters and virtues? Are these present in your own friendships?
- What do you think about Montaigne’s close friendship with Étienne de La Boétie? Have you experienced a similar bond?
- How do you balance equality and reciprocity in your friendships without keeping score?
- Why is emotional honesty important in friendships, and how does it strengthen the bond?
- How do true friendships endure over time and through life's changes?
- How do friendships compare to other relationships like romantic or family ties in terms of depth and connection?
While it is fun to have participation, there are no expectations. If you want to come along and listen, you are more than welcome. Reading the essay would be great, as it provides some intellectual stimulation on the subject and a chance to put together some coherent thoughts on the subject before the event, but again, it is optional.
For any audiobook listeners, there is a mammoth audiobook collection of Montaigne's essays (UK - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Complete-Essays-of-Montaigne-Audiobook/B005NBQX5M), and in this it is actually chapter 39.
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This meetup will be based around a presentation of some of the concepts from the book. This will provide a basis for the discussion, but will not limit it. Come along and share your thoughts and opinions!
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Love our book club discussions? Show your support with a book or cup of coffee! ☕ Visit BuyMeACoffee and help fuel our passion for books. Each donation you make keeps the conversation lively and helps us cover the costs of hosting, books, software, and time. It's more than just donation; it's your contribution to a community of book lovers dedicated to learning, contemplating, and discussing the worlds within our pages. Join us in making every chapter exciting!
- Mastering Logical Fallacies by Michael WitheyLink visible for attendees
'Mastering Logical Fallacies' [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30643722-mastering-logical-fallacies] offers an insightful guide to help readers identify and understand common logical fallacies. Withey delves into various fallacies with clarity, using relatable examples and straightforward explanations. The book covers a wide range of logical missteps, from ad hominem attacks and straw man arguments to more subtle errors like false dichotomies and appeals to ignorance. Each fallacy is dissected to show how it can undermine logical reasoning and lead to faulty conclusions.
This book offers a valuable exploration of the intricacies of argumentation and critical thinking. Withey’s engaging style makes complex concepts accessible, encouraging readers to reflect on their reasoning processes and improve their argumentative skills. It provides useful tools to navigate and counteract flawed logic in everyday discussions.
Fallacies in the book that may be discussed:
- Ad Hominem: Understanding personal attacks versus substantive argument critique.
- Appeal to Authority: Evaluating the validity of arguments based on authoritative endorsements.
- Appeal to Emotion: Understanding how emotional appeals can cloud judgment.
- Equivocation: Identifying the misleading use of a word with multiple meanings.
- Slippery Slope: Recognising exaggerated claims about the consequences of a decision.
- Straw Man: Recognising and avoiding the distortion of an opponent's argument.
Engage in rich discussions that challenge your understanding and expand your appreciation of logical analysis. Together, we'll deepen our philosophical insights and sharpen our reasoning skills.
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This meetup will be based around a presentation of some of the concepts from the book. This will provide a basis for the discussion, but will not limit it. Come along and share your thoughts and opinions!
---
Love our book club discussions? Show your support with a book or cup of coffee! ☕ Visit BuyMeACoffee and help fuel our passion for books. Each donation you make keeps the conversation lively and helps us cover the costs of hosting, books, software, and time. It's more than just donation; it's your contribution to a community of book lovers dedicated to learning, contemplating, and discussing the worlds within our pages. Join us in making every chapter exciting!
