What we’re about
P&G is more than just a group of people. It is a community. A community of philosophers, thinkers, book readers, paper readers, and folks that ask the foundational questions. What is the meaning of life? How do we know what we know? What makes us human? These are some of the questions that P&G members explore together through lively discussions and debates. But P&G is not only about intellectual pursuits. It is also a community of thoughtful people coming together to hike, and hangout. Whether it's enjoying the beauty of nature, sharing a meal, or playing games, P&G members bond over their common interests and values. P&G is a community where you can find friends who challenge you to grow and support you along the way.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? A Philosophical ExplorationLink visible for attendees
Join us for a deep and thought-provoking discussion on one of philosophy’s most fundamental and perplexing questions: Why is there something rather than nothing? This timeless query has captivated thinkers from ancient times to the present, cutting across physics, metaphysics, and theology.
Key Topics:- The Principle of Sufficient Reason: Does every existence require a reason, or can some things exist without explanation?
- Cosmological Perspectives: How modern physics approaches the question through theories like the multiverse, quantum cosmology, and the concept of spontaneous creation from a vacuum.
- The Concept of Necessary Existence: Is the universe itself necessary, or is its existence contingent on something beyond?
- Theological and Metaphysical Answers: From Leibniz’s necessary being (God) to contemporary ideas about the inevitability of existence.
- The Universe as a Brute Fact: Can we accept the idea that the universe simply exists without a deeper reason?
- Modern Philosophical Debates: Exploring recent thoughts on whether the question itself is misguided or logically flawed.
Why Attend? This event is open to anyone curious about fundamental questions in philosophy, physics, or theology. Whether you lean toward scientific explanations or metaphysical arguments, we encourage you to share your perspectives. Our goal is to foster a nuanced and open-minded conversation on existence itself.
You can also take a look at my notes here.
I will not do one long presentation followed by a discussion. I will cover each section at a time, and after each, we will follow up with a mini-discussion. I am anticipating there would be more than one session for this, but who knows..
- The Missing First Person: Rethinking Science from Within.Link visible for attendees
EXISTENTIALIST SOCIETY - Melbourne, Australia.
An online presentation, followed by discussion. All viewpoints welcome.
Remco Van Santen will present the topic and lead the discussion.
"Science claims objectivity, yet it is always mediated by the observer. This presentation challenges the assumption that science reveals an external reality, arguing instead that it structures how we articulate experience.
Exploring quantum mechanics, time, and the nature of observation, we critically examine the limits of scientific models - how they exclude the first-person perspective and create an illusion of detachment. Drawing on Henri Bergson’s distinction between lived and mathematical time, as well as Adam Frank’s Blind Spot, this webinar critiques the belief that reality exists independently of our awareness.
By recognising science as a way of speaking rather than a direct window into the world, we uncover a deeper, reflexive approach - one that acknowledges the role of subjectivity in shaping knowledge itself."
The Zoom Link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 827 7665 7260 - - Passcode: 069262NOTE: Due to Daylight Saving changes, 9pm Friday in California is now 2pm Saturday in Melbourne, Australia.
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Weekly Existentialist Society Zoom Meetups
