The Counterweight Handbook by Helen Pluckrose

Meeting at the usual place, The Shakespeare Hotel (upstairs), 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, at 7.00pm, we will be discussing The Counterweight Handbook (2024) by Helen Pluckrose.

Opponents of woke are often from the political right, but Helen Pluckrose calls herself a feminist (but later distanced herself from that word). Her academic focus was religious writing by women in the late medieval and early modern period. Distancing herself from the label 'right-wing,' she advocates anti-woke strategies in favour of a classical liberal alternative grounded in universalism, individual rights, open inquiry and the ability to disagree. Unlike some anti-woke writers, Pluckrose writes beautifully.

The book is easily available from bookshops, local libraries and our friend Anna. Contact me for a free pdf on dalemills@cantab.net

As a book group, people should really read the book beforehand.

The format of the meeting is that we talk about the book in a fairly focused way for about 45 mins. The conversation will be guided, so that everyone gets a chance to contribute. The purpose of the discussion will be to critique and play with the author's ideas, rather than to cheer-lead existing viewpoints. If you leave the meeting being a little less sure of your fixed opinions, we will have hit our benchmark.

We meet in a semi-private room on the top floor. Look for the sign or ask at the bar. There will be about 10 of us. Newcomers are very welcome.