Book Clubs New York

Word and Object by Quine Week 4

How does language come to have meaning and can we trust natural language to be a reliable vehicle for truth? For many in the early analytic tradition, the answer to the meaning of language is intimately related to a correspondence theory of truth where one needs to painstakingly tie words to their reference objects in the world. For these philosophers, logic is the correct tool in order to tame natural language and train it to be a reliable vehicle for truth. For Quine (1908-2000), this is simply not the right approach to language. Quine is known for his blistering critiques of the logical positivists and the early analytic philosophers, calling into question the very idea of a proposition and challenging the analytic/synthetic distinction which had been evolving since Kant. In Word and Object, he tackles philosophy of language, introducing his indeterminacy of translation thesis that there isn't even theoretically a unique way to translate correctly from one language to another. This rattles the very heart of the metaphysical project of tying down language to objects in the world since we can't even seem to tie one language to another in a unique way. He also argues that objects are simply abstract concepts we invent in order to make sense of our experiences, cautioning us against reification. Quine is no anarchist though, he has a deep respect for science and emphasizes an empirical approach to language grounded in the social practices of communities. Maybe we cannot attain absolute certainty but we can certainly design successful social practices to probe and try to understand the world around us. Join us as we explore the nature of language, truth, and knowledge over the course of four weeks with Quine as our guide. Participants should read the entire reading before attending this in person meeting. For the fourth week we will read p. 206-276. I will be reading from this version [here](https://www.amazon.com/Object-Studies-Communication-Willard-Orman/dp/1614275254/ref=pd_lpo_d_sccl_1/144-8361955-9168236?pd_rd_w=0zl00&content-id=amzn1.sym.4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_p=4c8c52db-06f8-4e42-8e56-912796f2ea6c&pf_rd_r=CAVY77QCJ97HNYZVEEN4&pd_rd_wg=Ls6z1&pd_rd_r=fed52b59-2e41-4e3f-a3ca-9bc0b4cac2c3&pd_rd_i=1614275254&psc=1). For questions please send me a message or post to meetup. Best, Brian

On Truth in Politics by Michael Lynch Week 1

Does truth matter in politics anymore or is it just about power? With so much of our political discourse influenced by social media algorithms and the echo chambers we tend to find ourselves in one starts to wonder what role does, and/or should, some kind of overarching truth play in our public discourse. Michael Patrick Lynch argues that truth is indispensable for democracy and he reminds us that our relationship to truth is never fully determined. The goals of this work are to describe what kind of truth is vital for democracy, the pivotal role it should play in a healthy society, and how we can take steps to correct our misalignment in values. Participants should read the entire reading before attending this in person meeting. For the first week we will read p. 1-97. I will be reading from this version [here](https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Politics-Why-Democracy-Demands/dp/0691231931). For questions please send me a message or post to meetup. Best, Brian

Writers Meetup in East Williamsburg

A special, Thursday evening event at a new spot! So if you thought Tuesday was just too square a night to come out, don't worry, we got you. **Itinerary** People are welcome starting at **6 o'clock**, and you can come and meet other writers, enjoy a happy hour, socialize and hang out as you like until 7 when we will start readings. At **7 o'clock** we formally get together as a group to listen to readings from those looking for feedback. * We do not select readers based on order of arrival or a sign-up sheet, so if you have work until late but still want to come and read, you can! * Each reader gets five (5) minutes to read, so please select a section of work which is appropriate for that time limit. * We welcome narrative prose (fiction and non-fiction), poetry, the occasional essay, and scripts (be they for screen or stage), so long as it is writing that you're serious about. Please no ad copy, journal entries, memes, musings, idea pitches, works where performance is more critical than the writing, or other errata. Nothing AI, if that needs saying. * We'll then spend another five (5) minutes in discussion. This is time for the listeners to provide feedback on the reading and discussing the craft in general. We welcome (and encourage) constructive criticism, so long as it is done with respect. This is just as important as the reading, and is done as an open conversation not lead by the reader or the host, so no hand raising required! * We try to get to as many people who want to read as we can, so if there are a lot of attendees we will be very strict on time. * We take a short break at **8 o'clock** . At **9 o'clock** we finish readings and start our formal social hour. Meet new friends, connect with old ones, exchange longer works for review, or just let loose.

On Lying and Politics by Hannah Arendt

Continuing the theme of truth and politics, we turn to consider the related question of what we should expect from politicians when it comes to lying. Some see lying as a black and white issue, but honest reflection of the nuance of public discussion yields tension between the desire for complete honesty and the reality of uncertainty, various media platforms, and the raw speed of information. That being said, there are different degrees of lying in politics and one suspects that there is some critical threshold which a democracy can tolerate. Join us as we discuss the wisdom of Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) who was a widely respected political philosopher of the twentieth century. Participants should read the entire reading before attending this in person meeting. We will read the entire book for this week. I will be reading from this version [here](https://www.amazon.com/Lying-Politics-Library-America-Publication/dp/1598537318). For questions please send me a message or post to meetup. Best, Brian

Spiritual Movie Night

Most of the art, film and expression contains messages for the consciousness, regardless of the awareness or agenda of its creators. This means that when we pay attention, even a movie can be full of symbols, meaning, and learning. Join us for a spiritual movie night and meet others walking a spiritual path. This is a chance to visit the spiritual center in a more casual setting. If you like, bring some snacks to share with the group. If you are visiting for the first time, we ask for a $20 contribution (or sliding scale) towards the care & maintenance of the space that is opened up to additional foot traffic and the providing of a website with online materials to support and supplement students. You are invited to make an offering here: [Contribute](https://www.gnosiseastvillage.org/make-a-difference) For ongoing students, regular donations are always welcome according to your means and appreciation of what you receive in class but we will never charge directly for providing the teachings. Should you have any questions at all, please text 646-387-0438. If you would like to know more about us, please see our website: [Gnosis East Village](www.gnosiseastvillage.org) Note: Once at the address, press bell #6 but go to apartment # 4

Daytime (in-person) Book Club - The Wedding People

Writers Meetup in Alphabet City

We're back at Hekate, where they’re serving THC drinks, Kava, and sober cocktails while we meet, socialize, share, and discuss our work. Welcome to the Writing Group! Craft is in session. **Itinerary** People are welcome starting at **6 o'clock**, and you can come and meet other writers, enjoy a happy hour, socialize and hang out as you like until 7 when we will start readings. At **7 o'clock** we formally get together as a group to listen to readings from those looking for feedback. * We do not select readers based on order of arrival or a sign-up sheet, so if you have work until late but still want to come and read, you can! * Each reader gets five (5) minutes to read, so please select a section of work which is appropriate for that time limit. * We welcome narrative prose (fiction and non-fiction), poetry, the occasional essay, and scripts (be they for screen or stage), so long as it is writing that you're serious about. Please no ad copy, journal entries, memes, musings, idea pitches, works where performance is more critical than the writing, or other errata. Nothing AI, if that needs saying. * We'll then spend another five (5) minutes in discussion. This is time for the listeners to provide feedback on the reading and discussing the craft in general. We welcome (and encourage) constructive criticism, so long as it is done with respect. This is just as important as the reading, and is done as an open conversation not lead by the reader or the host, so no hand raising required! * We try to get to as many people who want to read as we can, so if there are a lot of attendees we will be very strict on time. * We take a short break at **8 o'clock** . At **9 o'clock** we finish readings and start our formal social hour. Meet new friends, connect with old ones, exchange longer works for review, or just let loose.

Writers Meetup in the West Village

**Itinerary** People are welcome starting at **6 o'clock**, and you can come and meet other writers, enjoy a happy hour, socialize and hang out as you like until 7 when we will start readings. At **7 o'clock** we formally get together as a group to listen to readings from those looking for feedback. * We do not select readers based on order of arrival or a sign-up sheet, so if you have work until late but still want to come and read, you can! * Each reader gets five (5) minutes to read, so please select a section of work which is appropriate for that time limit. * We welcome narrative prose (fiction and non-fiction), poetry, the occasional essay, and scripts (be they for screen or stage), so long as it is writing that you're serious about. Please no ad copy, journal entries, memes, musings, idea pitches, works where performance is more critical than the writing, or other errata. Nothing AI, if that needs saying. * We'll then spend another five (5) minutes in discussion. This is time for the listeners to provide feedback on the reading and discussing the craft in general. We welcome (and encourage) constructive criticism, so long as it is done with respect. This is just as important as the reading, and is done as an open conversation not lead by the reader or the host, so no hand raising required! * We try to get to as many people who want to read as we can, so if there are a lot of attendees we will be very strict on time. * We take a short break at **8 o'clock** . At **9 o'clock** we finish readings and start our formal social hour. Meet new friends, connect with old ones, exchange longer works for review, or just let loose.

On Truth in Politics by Michael Lynch Week 2

Does truth matter in politics anymore or is it just about power? With so much of our political discourse influenced by social media algorithms and the echo chambers we tend to find ourselves in one starts to wonder what role does, and/or should, some kind of overarching truth play in our public discourse. Michael Patrick Lynch argues that truth is indispensable for democracy and he reminds us that our relationship to truth is never fully determined. The goals of this work are to describe what kind of truth is vital for democracy, the pivotal role it should play in a healthy society, and how we can take steps to correct our misalignment in values. Participants should read the entire reading before attending this in person meeting. For the first week we will read p. 101-210. I will be reading from this version [here](https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Politics-Why-Democracy-Demands/dp/0691231931). For questions please send me a message or post to meetup. Best, Brian

Singles and Non- Singles - Book Club at the Cafe - Open Choice

**The book club is a bi weekly discussion group which focuses on exploring different literary works through insightful conversation! We meet at Panera Bread in Paramus, NJ** **This is an open choice group, where people can bring a book to discuss and there will be general questions about the book.** **In addition, we will have topics unrelated to the book! The topics for this month are as follows:** **Are you more like your brother or your sister? Why?** **What’s your favorite pick up sport?** **What is your favorite podcast that you have been watching?** **If you are not feeling well, please do not attend our event. Thank you!** **The cafe sells an assortment of food items as well as drinks.**

Uptown Reading Morning (Inwood)

✨ Registration will open on June 12 ✨ Join us at **[Buunni Coffee](https://www.buunnicoffee.com/)** in Inwood to read, relax, and sip some delicious coffee (or tea) on Sunday morning! We'll spend half an hour settling in, ordering drinks, and doing introductions, and then read from 11:30 to 12:30. Or longer, if you like. Buunni Coffee is easy to get to from the Inwood - 207th stop on the A (accessible station), the 207th stop on the 1, and several buses.

Remember You Will Die by Eden Robins

For April we're reading [Remember You Will Die ](https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/203751806-remember-you-will-die)by Eden Robins (336 pgs). Hope to see you then! *About the book:* "Can the absence of words tell a story? Like a pattern in lace, the holes as important as the threads?" A search. A puzzle. Sixty protagonists―all of whom are dead. Told entirely through obituaries and ricocheting through time, *Remember You Will Die* is an innovative, genre-bending epic about the messy tapestry of human history and the threads that connect us, told through the eyes of Peregrine, an AI mother grappling with the unexpected death of her human daughter, Poppy. And from the newspaper clippings of individual lives emerges something else unexpected: generations entwined through blood and art and the consequences of their actions, betrayals and redemptions that traverse our dying world and beyond. Spanning continents, centuries, planets, and genres, and centering a diverse mix of human experiences, *Remember You Will Die* is a provocative exploration of who we are and what we could be. **Because Meetup charges organizers like me $389.76 annually, there is a $1 suggested donation. If you'd like to contribute, you can do so at the meetup or by venmo (I'll post the info afterwards).**