Details
What is the difference between laws and taboos?
How do the emotional and social processes around laws and taboos differ, especially when they are broken? How does that impact how we communicate about laws and taboos?
To what extent does the social context affect taboos? How universal are taboos? Do subcultures or types of social activities have their own taboos?
What are the social functions of taboos? To what extent do taboos create or maintain group identity and social processes?
Are taboos always a component of ideology? Are we evolved such that taboos will inherently emerge in any society? Are some taboos part of our evolved instincts?
Can and should taboos evolve or be discarded? What aspects of taboos inhibit this? What processes facilitate this?
Why do we have a hierarchy separating laws and taboos?
Is the recognition of a hierarchy a recognition of:
- the different consequences of breaking laws and taboos;
- the different benefits of breaking laws and taboos; and
- the origins, inconsistencies and arbitrariness of systems of laws?
What new taboos have emerged and been discarded in the last 100 years in western society? What have been the consequences?
Does something becoming taboo assist in society effectively address the issue that the taboo appears to target?
Anyone can attend this session. No experience in philosophy or knowledge of the subject is required in advance. Just come along and enjoy. Our events use the the 4Cs of community philosophy:
- Caring for others, making space for their contributions
- Collaborating to get a better mutual understanding rather than scoring points
- Critically assessing what we say, clarifying what is meant and asking what reasons support assertions
- Creatively coming up with alternative perspectives, rather than dogmatically sticking to our initial positions
We welcome everyone of a wide range of ages, social and educational backgrounds etc. Don't worry if you don't have a qualification in philosophy - almost no-one does. Occasionally, attendees will be asked to watch, read or listen to a short piece of material in advance of the session (as the 'stimulus' for discussion), but this will be minimal and will be made clear in the description of the session.
We ask for donations of £1 per session from those who can afford to pay to cover the costs of the Meetup subscription. First timers are exempt. Don't feel obliged to pay if you can't afford it - or pay less. Feel free to put £5 to cover five sessions or however you want to donate - this is left entirely up to you.