London Philosophy Collective

Paris, 1980. The literary critic Roland Barthes dies—struck by a laundry van. The world of letters mourns a tragic accident. But what if it wasn’t an accident at all? A brilliantly erudite comedy, The Seventh Function of Language takes us from the cafés of Saint-Germain to the corridors of Cornell University, and into the duels and orgies of the Logos Club, a secret philosophical society that dates all the way back to the Roman Empire. Binet has written both a send-up and a wildly exuberant celebration of the French intellectual tradition. Who can you trust when the idea of truth itself is at stake?

You don't have to have read it to join us - but it'll probably help.

Connecting people into Philosophy. All welcome. No previous philosophical experience needed.

What it is

Philosophy in the Park is a fun and friendly space for people to come together and have discussions that get deep. It’s a safe space where active creative thinking is encouraged and enjoyed, and where everyone can explore abstract concepts in a way that combines both sincerity and playfulness. Where the most important question is always - what do you think?

What is Philosophy?

Philosophy is about analysing concepts. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the physical world (eg Science and statistics). It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas (eg Identity, Morality, Mind and Truth).

How Philosophy in the Park Works

• Each hour begins with a group vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like.
• We then break out into groups, each focusing on one of the chosen questions. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and end up talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer to sit back and enjoy the conversation, that’s also welcome.
• After an hour we regroup, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So across the 3 hours, we’ll break out 3 times.

Where it is

We meet at Baroness Burdett Coutts Drinking Fountain in Victoria Park (East Park). It is marked down as "13" on the official maps found in the park.

Please feel free to bring snacks and drinks with you if you want.
After the event finishes most people stay and hang out. There’s a local supermarket to get drinks and snacks, or bring your own. You are very welcome to join us.

Guidelines

In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive as possible please follow these simple guidelines:

1. Keep it Philosophical
   (No Science, no History, no Sociology, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, personal anecdotes etc).
2. Think for Yourself
   (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read).
3. Tangents are Cool
   (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question).
4. Keep it Succinct
   (Like this).
5. Be Excellent to Each Other
   (But of course).

Please remember: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding.

Community

Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama film directed by Brian De Palma from a screenplay by Oliver Stone. It is loosely based on the 1930 novel by Armitage Trail and a remake of the 1932 film of the same name directed by Howard Hawks. The film stars an ensemble cast led by Al Pacino, who stars as Cuban refugee Tony Montana. In the film, Montana arrives in Miami during the Mariel boatlift and becomes a powerful drug lord.

Please note we will not be showing the film at the meeting. Make sure you watch the film before you attend and then come and join in with the conversation. It’s just a discussion. It’s not a screening.

Challengers is a 2024 romantic sports film directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes. It follows the love triangle between an injured tennis star-turned-coach (Zendaya), her low-circuit tennis player ex-boyfriend (Josh O'Connor), and her tennis champion husband (Mike Faist) across 13 years of their relationship, culminating in the match between the two men on the ATP Challenger Tour.

Please note we will not be showing the film at the meeting. Make sure you watch the film before you attend and then come and join in with the conversation. It’s just a discussion. It’s not a screening.