What we’re about
We are a group that discusses questions in the Philosophical way of examining the question for built-in assumptions. We meet to learn from each other's perspectives.
We are part of a worldwide movement, called Public Philosophy, to bring philosophical discussion out of academia and to the general public. Socrates Café is part of this same movement.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- [fusion event]Discussion: Marcus Aurelius MeditationsMeetup location, Laurel, MD
Meditations is a collection of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor from the 2nd century CE. It isn’t a book he wrote for others, but rather his private notes, where he reflected on life, duty, and how to live with wisdom and virtue.
The work is grounded in Stoic philosophy, teaching ideas like self-control, accepting what you cannot change, and focusing on reason over emotion. It’s valued today as a timeless guide on resilience, humility, and inner peace.
The first English translation was published in 1634.
- Wiki about Marcus Aurelius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius
- Wiki about Stoicism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism
- Wiki about the Meditations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditations
- A Free Translation: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2680
## Fun with ChatGPT
Open https://chatgpt.com/ and type the prompt “You are Marcus Aurelius and I have questions” -- then start asking questions.
## Some Notable Quotes for Discussion
No one can lose either the past or the future
Book 2#14Your duty is to stand straight - not held straight
Book 3#5Remove the judgement, and you have removed the thought “I am hurt”: remove the thought “I am hurt”, and the hurt itself is removed.
Book 4#7Your mind will take on the character of your most frequent thoughts
Book 5#16If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth, which never harmed anyone: the harm is to persist in one’s own self-deception and ignorance.
Book 6#21The whole of present time is a pin-prick of eternity. All things are tiny, quickly changed, evanescent.
Book 6#36In a way, all things are interwoven and therefore have a family feeling for each other
Book 6#38What does not benefit the hive does not benefit the bee either.
Book 6#54Remind yourself of your duty to be a good man
Book 8#5Practice even what you have dispaired of mastering.
Book 12#6If it is not right, don’t do it: If it is not true, don’t say it.
Book 12#17There remains only the enjoyment of a linked succession of good deeds, with not the slightest gap between them.
Book 12#29## Additional Seed Questions:
Context: Marcus Aurelius viewed evil as a consequence of ignorance; wrongdoers, he believed, act out of confusion about what is good or bad, rather than malice. He taught that people have a shared human nature, and a wrongdoer's nature is the same as one's own, just clouded by misunderstanding. Therefore, the best response to evil is not anger or retaliation, but to recognize their ignorance, maintain one's own virtue and inner peace, and continue to act rationally and serve the common good.
Question: Is this a healthy mindset for an individual to hold? Is it constructive or destructive for a culture to encourage that thinking?Context: Marcus Aurelius, in several places, discusses suicide as an appropriate way to exit life to avoid some specific situations.
Question: Does this content make the book dangerous for young readers?Context: Marcus Aurelius professes respect for gods and also reveals that he allows they may not exist. He also finds Christians foolish in how they martyr their lives away. ( Book 11, paragraph 3 )
Question: If he was aware of persecution and cruelty under his watch, was he really a virtuous man? Do his failings there undermine the credibility or value of his other advice?For more discussion of Stoicism, here are some additional references:
What is Stoicism? by John Sellars | Modern Stoicism
Stoicism: Practical Philosophy You Can Actually Use - RyanHoliday.net
Stoic Philosophy of Mind | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Stoicism (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)We meet in person and online.
In person will be at 10113 Seattle Slew Lane. This meetup location does not have sufficient chairs for all of us, so it is advisory to bring a portable chair. The location also does not have food for sale. I will bring several large pizzas, and will request $2/slice. One pizza will be either vegan or vegetarian. Tap water is available, please bring any other drinks desired.
Online will be: https://teams.live.com/meet/93583191724730?p=hY3jxVvnOciVl2aRn5
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