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
167
•OnlinePLEASE READ FULL DESCRIPTION and RSVP INSTRUCTIONS BELOW
Online# You cannot RSVP here. Please go to the PHILOSOPHY OF VALUE link below and RSVP there.
# https://www.meetup.com/philosophy-of-value-workshops/
Workshop # 25, Mathematics, Series 10, (S8,16)
# Is mathematics a creation of mind, or does it exist independently in the world?
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/iy09-PqjalsI know it's stupid, but please click 'like', as it promotes circulation.
Join this group at meetup.com/philosophy-of-value-workshops
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: The nominalist/realist debate is about what properties exist independently in the world and what properties are products of the mind. Locke distinguishes between primary qualities in the world and secondary qualities like taste and colour. Kant holds that time and space are products of the mind, explicable in terms of mathematics. But is even mathematics a product of the mind, as held by Heidegger and Wittgenstein? And can mathematics and number be explained through the structures of consciousness? But how then can mathematics make correct predictions about future discoveries in physics? Reading: The Pursuit of Value, Ch. 6, Scn. xi.
2 attendees
•OnlineONLINE / ENGLISH: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
Online## Details
This is our series on Donald Robertson’s book “How to Think Like a Roman Emperor”. We will learn about the life of Marcus Aurelius and his philosophy practice. As usual on Friday nights, we will cover the book in-depth; see schedule below.
SCHEDULE
8-08-2025 Chap. 1
8-15-2025 Chap. 1 continued
8-22-2025 Chap. 2
8-29-2025 Chap. 2 continued
9-05-2025 Chap. 3
9-12-2025 Chap. 3 continued
9-19-2025 Chap. 4
9-26-2025 Chap. 4 continued
10-03-2025 Chap. 5
10-10-2025 Chap. 5 continued
10-17-2025 Chap. 6
10-24-2025 Chap. 6 continued
10-31-2025 Chap. 7
11-07-2025 Chap. 7 continued
11-14-2025 Chap. 8 (just 1 part)
11-21-2025 Finale
READING MATERIALS
The book is available on Amazon and other booksellers. Various formats are available: audio, paperback, Kindle. Reading in advance is optional; StoicDan will collect highlights from each part of the book in an outline for the meeting.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9YYR62
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 inPhilosophyPsychology
Self-Help & Self-ImprovementMarcus AureliusStoicism2 attendees
Past events
200
