About us
The Austin Philosophy Discussion Group (APDG) offers many opportunities for discussions of philosophy and philosophical issues. No advance preparation or knowledge is required, unless stated in the meeting description. All our meetings are free of charge.
Click on "Events" just under the picture, above, to see details about upcoming meetups. The types of meetups that we have are:
- Weekly Lecture/Discussion groups, which offer free DVD lectures and discussions covering a wide range of philosophical topics.
- Special Events and Lectures covering topics of interest to our membership.
We are always open to new ideas, so come and share your thoughts at one of our meetings.
This group is a member of the Virtual Philosophy Network, a consortium of philosophy groups like ours in the U.S. and Canada. Now that Meetup events are virtual, we can discuss ideas with folks from all over the world, and we have a broader range of topics to choose from. Go to https://sites.google.com/view/virtualphilosophynetwork to see all the Meetup groups in the network,
* * *
Our web site also features lively discussions, within a culture that values civil discourse.
Here's what civil discourse is:  Conversation intended to enhance understanding. It employs language of dispassionate objectivity. Civil discourse requires mutual respect of the participants. It neither diminishes the other's moral worth, nor questions their good judgment; it avoids hostility and direct antagonism. It requires an appreciation for the other participants' experiences.
Featured event
Tools of Thinking 22 Modern Logic—Predicate Arguments
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/594932535
Private message me over meetup to get the password.
The attendee limit is 10 to allow easier discussion.
Tools of Thinking: Understanding the World through Experience and Reason
"In short, what is the best way to think?"
At each meeting, we watch / listen to a lecture together and then discuss it together.
Typically, we cover one lecture per week. See the event’s title for what lecture is for that event.
Here is the full list of lectures for the course:
1 What Are "Tools of Thinking"?
2 Which Tools of Thinking Are Basic?
3 Platonic Intuition, Memory, and Reason
4 Intuition, Memory, and Reason—Problems
5 Sense Experience—A More Modern Take
6 Observation and Immediate Inferences
7 Further Immediate Inferences
8 Categorical Syllogisms
9 Ancient Logic in Modern Dress
10 Systematic Doubt and Rational Certainty
11 The Limits of Sense Experience
12 Inferences Demand Relevant Evidence
13 Proper Inferences Avoid Equivocation
14 Induction Is Slippery but Unavoidable
15 The Scientific Revolution
16 Hypotheses and Experiments—A First Look
17 How Empirical Is Modern Empiricism?
18 Hypotheses and Experiments—A Closer Look
19 "Normal Science" at Mid-Century
20 Modern Logic—Truth Tables
21 Modern Logic—Sentential Arguments
22 Modern Logic—Predicate Arguments
23 Postmodern and New-Age Problems
24 Rational Empiricism in the 21st Century
Upcoming events
393
On Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical on AI
·OnlineOnlineThe recent encyclical issued 5/25 by Pope Leo XIV is officially entitled in English as "Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence."
Our speaker, Oliva M. EspĂn, PhD, will give a brief lecture summarizing the encyclical so as to connect us to the global conversation concerning the defining question of our era: What does AI mean for human dignity, work, and our shared future?
Professor EspĂn previews her talk: "The encyclical follows a long line of Catholic teaching on social justice concerning “new things” that affect the dignity of humans and their labor. The document is intellectually rich and deeply human, and leaves us with a challenge: if we want to disarm the earth, we must first disarm our words. In an age where our tools can amplify both our ideals and our worst impulses, it is quite an invitation to reflect."
This lecture is sponsored by the San Diego Independent Scholars. The location is at the North University Community Library, 8820 Judicial Drive, San Diego, CA 92122. Attendance is free to the public. The lecture will be Zoomcast.
Speaker's Bio: Oliva M. EspĂn is Professor Emerita of Women’s Studies at San Diego State University and the California School of Professional Psychology. She received her BA from the Universidad de Costa Rica and her PhD from the University of Florida. Professor Espin lectures on issues related to language, migration, psychology, and spirituality, and on Catholic social teaching.
2 attendees
Past events
5515
