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- 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 - The Mystical and Apophatic Philosophy of Karl Jaspers.Link visible for attendees
## Details
## EXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Darius Samadian will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Darius will look at the approach of Karl Jaspers, one of the most overlooked philosophers of the so-called ‘existentialist’ tradition. He will examine Jaspers’ approach to the issue of Transcendence, which is at the same time for Jaspers the issue of the self. Indeed, for Jaspers, to truly know the self it is crucial that we must be related to Transcendence. This is expressed through his notion of the transcendent potentiality of humankind which he terms Existenz, which in some sense Jaspers says ‘knows no death’. It is this relationship, and therefore the transcendent potentiality of humankind, which Jaspers believes has been lost in modernity.
Darius will look at Jaspers’ ‘Philosophy of Existence’ in a unique way and examine it in relation to the mystical theories of Christian thinkers Meister Eckhart and Nicolaus Cusanus. He will address what Jaspers sees as the flawed way in which Transcendence, or God, has been viewed in Western philosophy and theology, and he will highlight the importance of freedom and reason in Jaspers’ work, and how he relates these concepts to finding a spiritual meaning in life.
The question is – does Jaspers provide us with a mystical philosophy for the modern era? Does he open up the possibility for an authentic relationship to Transcendence in the face of God’s death? The fundamental question Jaspers asks is, and which we all must ask ourselves is – Who am I?
The Zoom Link will eventually appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 836 8222 3922 - - Passcode: 115279
Existentialist Society's Website - - - Youtube - - - Facebook
Events inLiteraturePsychologyMorality and Ethics
Religous and Non-Religious DialogueExistentialist Philosophy
