What we’re about
## What we’re about
## Details
## Another enjoyable free flowing discussion after the - Melbourne Existentialists meetup - Please feel free to join the Existentialists meeting from 1pm AEST -
## https://www.meetup.com/existentialist-society/?eventOrigin=event_home_page-
Life the Universe Street Philosophy commences at cessation of existentialists meeting.
Some of the many topics we discussed in last week's after discussion , some of which I could almost follow, were -
Meaning of the word "Moral"
Did possibilities exist prior to the Big Bang? ( if there was a big bang)
Indeterminacy
Definition of Language
Need for religion to enforce order/morality
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Previously
Meaning of meaning in "what is the meaning of life?"
Definition of Language
Ship of Thesis - is the "thing" just a construct?
Transcendentalism
Determinism
Observer effect in quantum physics
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Is there a why to human existence?
Definition of experience.
Method of applying reason.
What does it mean to be "your authentic self?"
Idealism v Realism - ABSOLUTE TRUTH - What does that mean ? does it exist ? Ontology, how equipped are we to fathom the nature of things? HARD PROBLEM OF CONSCIOUSNESS: WHERE DOES CONSCIOUSNESS ARISE?: DOES DNA TRANSLATE TO BEHAVIOUR?, IF SO HOW - definition of rationality - origins of "value" - precision of mathematics - concept of infinity.
Have been having some great flowing discussion as topics arise following conclusion of existentialists meeting, Melbourne, Australia. Thanks to all attendees.
General chat for the philosophically inclined about whatever comes up,
suggest topics as suits you or -
- possible topics
Information
- where is the information in an un opened book, does it exist when unobserved?
Reason
- what is the definition of reason
does it exist in physical laws, i.e. if we can we say "the rock fell because of gravity", how is this different to "what is the reason she chose Pepsi max instead of Coke Zero?"
Validity of evolutionary psychology:
- what evidence is there for evolutionarily selected behaviour, given that we cannot observe the history of the emergence of neurological structures as we can observe evolutionarily selected anatomical changes?
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- How are causality, Leibniz and Hume’s Fork relevant to science and consciousnessLink visible for attendees
## Details
Workshop # 3, Hume's Fork, Series 9,
This event begins at 7.30 pm S'pore & WA time, 12.30 pm UK, 7.30 am NY.
You will need to view the relevant podcast below on YouTube before joining the meeting in order to participate in the discussion.
https://youtu.be/5qWnePiZzLo
I know it's stupid, but please click 'like', as it promotes circulation.
The workshops include of a prior presentation of the topic by myself on YouTube. The meeting itself consists of a brief review of the topic followed by questions and discussion. The weekly topic is posted a week before the event, together with a suggested reading from my work The Pursuit of Value, available through Amazon Books or myself. Discussion notes for the topic are available by email.
THIS WEEK: Both Hume’s Principle and Hume’s Fork are major philosophical discoveries made by questioning the assumed relations between facts and moral values, and differences between material facts and relations of ideas. The latter raises questions about both causality – that Mackie calls The Cement of the Universe – and whether science is largely deductive or inductive. Yet these distinctions also raise questions, not only about the categorization and unity of the world of facts, values and ideas, but also about the phenomenon of consciousness, referenced in Karl Popper’s three realms of matter, mind and its abstract products. Reading: The Pursuit of Value, Ch. 6, Scn. iii.
Events inEthicsPhilosophy
PsychologyConsciousnessExistentialism - ONLINE / ENGLISH: Memento MoriLink visible for attendees
## Details
Memento Mori is a concept in Stoicism and across other cultures. We’ve discussed this topic in meetings before, but this time, we’ll go in-depth.
SCHEDULE
5-02-2025 Part 1: History
5-09-2025 Part 2: Across Cultures
5-16-2025 Part 3: Finale
READING MATERIALS
The following materials are optional; read in advance if you have time. StoicDan will collect highlights from each book in an outline to further the discussion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori
Time
Meeting time (USA):
7:00PM Eastern
6:00PM Central
5:00PM Mountain
4:00PM Pacific
For our international friends,
Please convert time with the free tool
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
Zoom Info
CLICK TO START MEETING - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86559843870
If you don't have a computer with camera or mic, then you can attend by telephone. Dial one of these numbers and add meeting ID 865 5984 3870#
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
In general, Stoicism teaches us how to handle difficult people and events, how to avoid anger and worry, and overall to use moderation in life. We will discuss how Stoic practice can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Our group enjoys open-minded, respectful conversations on Stoicism and how it relates to science, culture, philosophy, history, other belief systems, and pop culture (books and movies). If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree". The long-term goal is to improve our minds via group discussions. Our group does NOT discuss religion or politics.
This event is free and open to the public.
Events inPhilosophyNear-Death Experience
Self-Help & Self-ImprovementAgeless WisdomStoicism - The Nubian Pharaohs' impact on Biblical History.Link visible for attendees
## EXISTENTIALIST MEETUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Our monthly online series on the History of Religion.
The presentations are followed by questions, comments and discussion.
All viewpoints are welcome.Early Religion: An Alternative History
What do the historians and archaeologists think of the veracity of religious legends? Legends are an amalgamation of history and mythology. But how much of each?"THE NUBIAN PHARAOHS' IMPACT ON BIBLICAL HISTORY."
When the Assyrian Emperor, Sargon II, was killed battling the Cimmerians in Anatolia in 705 BC, the Egyptian Pharaoh, Shabaka, decided to attempt to regain the 'New Kingdom', the old Egyptian Empire. He found an ally; King Hezekiah of Judea.
The new Assyrian Emperor, Sennacherib, defeated Egypt's northward advance and laid siege to Jerusalem. But the 'Angel of the Lord' visited and 185,000 besiegers lay dead. (2 Kings 19:35). The Assyrians fled.
However, the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus, suggested that it might have been the plague.David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Background reading for those interested in doing so:
Wikipedia's entry on the 25th Dynasty of Egypt
Wikipedia's entry on the Neo-Assyrian Empire
"The Bible Unearthed" by Israel Finkelstein, Professor of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University and his historian colleague, Neil Asher Silberman.
YouTube Audiopedia summary of the book.The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 871 4584 8666 - - Passcode: 280898Existentialist Society: Website - - - - YouTube
Existentialist Society's weekly Zoom Meetups
