What we’re about
This is for those who love philosophy, but never quite had the discipline to get all the reading done. Or maybe you did and you now want to tell someone how much you understand it all. Or just want to get started.
To come to this you will be required to read the text given as the background for the monthly discussion. This is not meant to make things hard, but it's what I need to write here so that I make sure I get through the material. I have studied various philosophy subjects at university, and I read some more closely than others - this is an opportunity for me to have another crack at reading some of these great texts, and make up for the reading I didn't do. It's Also an opportunity to engage with others and learn something from the discussion.
Of course the landscape of philosophy is vast, so where to start? Initially I will be choosing from my favourite Partially Examined Life podcasts, and they will guide the material for the first few meetings. Not the podcasts themselves, but the texts that they chose. The topics they discussed (usually in the title) can be the starting points for discussion. Also, where the texts are impenetrable, the podcast will help to draw out the key areas of interest. If you have read the text, you are welcome to listen to their enjoyable discussion - but it is no replacement for reading the text itself.
I'm relating the meetup to the podcast because I enjoy it and it might be a useful companion, but I'm ambivalent about it. Partly it's to use their knowledge as a guide - the topics and texts around which they anchor their discussion. And because ideally their selection is a 'best of', although I'm some might disagree. And to be fair, some texts are very hard to read, and even those having a might crack at it might fail. In those cases the podcast might be the only thing you make sense of. But you could argue it doesn't add much and we might as well just chose some texts that people are interested in. I'm happy to start here and see how things go.
Also, if you like the sound of this meetup, chances are you'd love this one --
https://www.meetup.com/Existentialist-Society/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Are the 4 states of cognition, affect, will & value exhaustively comprehensive?Link visible for attendees
## Details
Hosted by Derek Mazzone
Workshop # 9, Four States, Series 10, (S8,8)
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/JDXhtZtfZ9Q
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. Transcripts of the Youtube presentation are available by email.
THIS WEEK: These workshops have focused on the two common phenomena of consciousness and value, which have nevertheless been neglected in academic circles, thereby overlooking their significance in accounts of human existence. We have employed various methods of explicating consciousness such as first person experiences, theories of mind, phenomenological structures and classification of the four mental states of cognition, affect, will and value. But we must now ask whether this classification is both adequate and exhaustively comprehensive? Reading: The Pursuit of Value, Introduction.
Events inEthicsPhilosophy
PsychologyConsciousnessExistentialism - Tallahassee Freethinkers - The Sociology of Evil by Steven Lance StollLink visible for attendees
## Details
LINK TO ZOOM MEETING:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88384219320?pwd=dlR1WHpBM1JJT2ZXdmE5dSthRWp1UT09
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Sociology Professor Steven Lance Stoll (ret.) examines why humans perpetrate evil acts upon each other. Professor Stoll observes, when we explore the Holocaust of the 1940s we quickly recognize that the horrors committed were not done by a few horrible people, they were done by mostly average, ordinary individuals. In fact, virtually all of the collaborators and perpetrators of the Holocaust considered themselves good Christians and loyal citizens. While Hitler gets most of the "credit", the reality is that most of the killers were quite ordinary individuals and those who defied the killers were truly exceptional human beings.
Stoll discusses key points made by psychologist James Waller in his book, "Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mass Killing" (2002). Waller tells us why human beings display these behaviors, how the powers exploit them, and the horrific results that ensue. He also describes the methodology to build human character to defy this despicable human propensity. It is not necessary to have read the book as Lance will describe Waller's main points. We encourage you to join in the discussion and learn how to oppose and defy a very disturbing human behavior that seems to be reawakening in modern America.
MEET THE SPEAKER: Steven Lance Stoll, former Adjunct Professor of Sociology at Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ), Jacksonville University, Flagler College, St. Johns River College, College of Coastal Georgia, and St. Leo University. Lance also created a class on the Holocaust and an exploration of human evil for Jacksonville University evening college students.
FURTHER ZOOM LOGIN INFO:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88384219320?pwd=dlR1WHpBM1JJT2ZXdmE5dSthRWp1UT09
DIAL-IN PHONE NUMBER: 305-224-1968
MEETING ID: 883 8421 9320
PASSCODE: 765292 - How to Be Good (Reading Group)Link visible for attendees
## Details
Please join us to discuss the book "How to be Good" by Massimo Pigliucci.
What Socrates Can Teach Us About the Art of Living Well.
The author draws on stories about Socrates, examples from Aristotle, Marcus Aurelius and Machiavelli, and modern interpretations to explore what philosophy can teach us about the quest for virtue today.
Is it possible to teach ourselves and others to become better people? Can we make ourselves into better human beings? Can we help others do the same? Can we get our leaders to care that humanity prospers, not just economically, but also spiritually?
Our second session will focus on Chapter 2, considering "Alas, Alcibiades, What a Condition You Suffer From!" So please read those pages if you can beforehand. This reading group will be facilitated by Akiva Quinn and Leslie Allan.
How to Be Good can be purchased from Readings for AUD 24.99
https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781399804950/how-to-be-good--massimo-pigliucci--2023--9781399804950
This event is free. Your donation to help keep these events going is greatly appreciated. Please make your donation at https://www.humanistsaustralia.org/donate
Events inHumanismEthics
Philosophy & EthicsMeaning of LifeSecular Humanism - ONLINE / ENGLISH: Seneca's Essays On AngerLink visible for attendees
## Details
Hosted by Stoic Dan
Our group enjoys reading the ancient and modern Stoic texts, so the next series we will go back to the first century, when Seneca wrote his famous essays 'On Anger'. It spans 3 books and 100 chapters. Like most books we've read, we'll be reading in depth. The book is online as a public domain book, so you won't need to buy a book and wait for shipping.
Here are the major themes in the reading:
- The Nature and Origins of Anger
- The Dangers and Consequences of Anger
- The Futility of Anger
- Strategies for Preventing Anger
- Healing after Anger
For those with a Stoic practice, this discussion will be an important exercise: (1) how to pause before reacting with anger, (2) how to improve focus and build awareness of anger, and (3) how to prepare for situations that might cause anger (using Premeditatio Malorum).
For those with an interest in psychology, our discussion will help: (1) to learn how anger leads to poor decisions and regret, (2) how to switch from emotional responses to value-based responses, and (3) how to expect adversity in life and reduce stress.
SCHEDULE
5-23-2025 Book 1 (Chap 1-10)
5-30-2025 Book 1 (Chap 11-21)
6-06-2025 Meeting was skipped
6-13-2025 Book 2 (Chap 1-12)
6-20-2025 Book 2 (Chap 13-24)
6-27-2025 Book 2 (Chap 25-36)
7-04-2025 Book 3 (Chap 1-10)
7-11-2025 Book 3 (Chap 11-20)
7-18-2025 Book 3 (Chap 21-30)
7-25-2025 Book 3 (Chap 31-43)
8-01-2025 Finale (maybe a special guest)
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.wikisource.org/wiki/Of_Anger
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 inAnger ManagementSeneca
Self-Help & Self-ImprovementPsychologyStoicism
