About us
Welcome to Premise: Big Questions, Real Conversation
Premise is a space for thoughtful people who crave more than small talk. Each session starts with a big, timeless question—like What is freedom?, Are we our work?, or How much is enough?—and pairs it with a short piece of art, literature, or film. We use those works to spark meaningful conversations.
Who Should Join:
Premise is for curious adults of all ages who value depth over debate, and connection over consensus. You don’t need a philosophy degree—just a willingness to read or watch something short ahead of time and come ready to think and talk with others in the community.
What to Expect:
Each session is structured and deeply engaging. You'll receive a short prep email (usually 1–1.5 hours of reading or viewing and we provided the text), then meet in person for a guided conversation. There’s no lecturing, just a guided dialogue designed to help you listen, reflect, and connect. Expect surprising insights, genuine connection, and the kind of conversation that lingers long after it ends.
Premise events are currently held in 8 cities across the US, with more to come in 2025!
Upcoming events
1
![[online] What is happiness, really? (Viktor Frankl & Zadie Smith)](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/7/b/4/highres_532450164.jpeg)
[online] What is happiness, really? (Viktor Frankl & Zadie Smith)
·OnlineOnlineLearn more about Premise. We offer guided conversations about life's big questions
🟡 Space is limited, register today!
Please register directly with Premise here:
https://www.premiseinstitute.com/event-details/what-is-happiness-really-3It helps us keep things organized, since participants join from multiple places.
👉 Use the code `spokanemeetup` if you are unable to pay. The session will be no cost. All registration fees go directly to expanding Premise to communities nationwide.
Texts:
We will email you the readings when you register.- Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
(Selected chapter: “The Case for Tragic Optimism”)
- Zadie Smith, “Joy”
- Arthur C. Brooks, “To Get Happier, Make Yourself Smaller”
⏱️ Preparation: Less than 1.5 hours
Session Description
What is happiness, really?
We live in a culture that treats happiness as both a personal responsibility and a measurable outcome. We are encouraged to manage it, improve it, and display it. But what if this framework misunderstands the experience altogether?In this session, we’ll explore whether happiness can coexist with suffering, whether joy requires letting go of control, and whether a meaningful life might look different from a happy one. Together, we’ll examine what happens when we stop asking how to be happier and start asking what we are orienting our lives toward instead.
These readings create productive friction for conversation: happiness as a goal versus happiness as a byproduct, self focus versus self transcendence, and permanence versus momentary joy. They ask whether our pursuit of happiness reflects clarity about what we want, or confusion about what actually sustains a life.
In this session, we will ask:
- If happiness can’t be pursued directly, what can we pursue that makes happiness more likely to emerge?
- Can joy and suffering coexist, or does one cancel out the other?
- What’s the difference between a “happy” life and a “meaningful” life?
- When does self improvement become self obsession?
What Premise is like?
Join us in a welcoming, guided conversation space that invites people from all walks of life to think in public together with curiosity, openness, and respect. You do not need academic credentials or philosophical background. All you need is a willingness to read thoughtfully and reflect honestly.1 attendee
Past events
7
![[online] What is goodness when nobody's watching?](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/1/f/d/highres_532225085.jpeg)
