Austin Philosophy Discussion Group (APDG)

Organized by Brian B and 27 others

What we’re about

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 "Meetups" 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 continent, 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,

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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

Thu, Sep 19, 2024, 12:00 AM UTCIslamic Golden Age 18 Mosques, Architecture, and Gothic Revival

Link visible for attendees

Islamic Golden Age 18 Mosques, Architecture, and Gothic Revival cover photo

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/594932535
Private message me over meetup to get the password.
The attendee limit is 10 to allow easier discussion.

The Islamic Golden Age History and Info About Islam | Wondrium

"The History and Achievements of the Islamic Golden Age is your opportunity to get to know the story and the accomplishments of this great period in human civilization. Taught by acclaimed lecturer Eamonn Gearon, these 24 remarkable lectures offer brilliant insights into an era too often overlooked by traditional history textbooks."

At each meeting, we watch / listen to a lecture together, and then discuss lecture 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 From Camels to Stars in the Middle East
2 Ibn Battuta's Search for Knowledge
3 Arabian Nights Caliph: Harun al-Rashid
4 The Arab World's Greatest Writer: al-Jahiz
5 Algebra, Algorithms, and al-Khwarizmi
6 Baghdad's House of Wisdom
7 Muhammad, the Hadith, and Imam Bukhari
8 Interpreting and Defending the Quran
9 The Arab Herodotus: al-Masudi
10 Cairo, al-Haytham, and the Book of Optics
11 Master Muslim Scholar: al-Biruni
12 Astronomy in the Islamic Golden Age
13 Medieval Muslim Medicine and Hospitals
14 Alchemistry and Chemistry in Early Baghdad
15 The Fertile Crescent, Water, and al-Jazari
16 Jewish Scholar in Cairo: Moses Maimonides
17 The Banu Musa's Inventions and Automatons
18 Mosques, Architecture, and Gothic Revival
19 Arabic Verse, Love Poetry, and Wine Songs
20 Medieval Mastermind: Avicenna (Ibn Sina)
21 Entertaining in the Time of the Abbasids
22 Calligraphy, Carpets, and the Arabic Arts
23 When Did the Islamic Golden Age End?
24 Ibn Khaldun on the Rise and Fall of Empire