NYC Philosophy and Psychology Readers Community Φ Ψ

For this three week event we will dive into the history and philosophy of science by reading Thomas Khun's revolutionary work entitled The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. By taking us on a journey through the history of science, Khun challenges the assumption of linear progress in scientific fields. We are encouraged to view science as overlapping conceptual frameworks to understand the world. These paradigms then undergo revolutions from time to time when the old paradigms are brought into crisis by conflicting experimental evidence. In these times of crisis, creativity is required to re-imagine the way the world might operate in order to provide a new paradigm which can explain experimental evidence. Join us as we challenge our misconceptions in order to form a deeper understanding of science in our postmodern world. I will be reading from this version and a free copy can be found here. For the first week we will read chapters 1-6 (p. 1-65). Participants should read the entire reading before attending this in person meeting. For questions please send me a message or post to meetup.

Best,

Brian

* here is a new link to download the latest edition of the book from Anna's Archive in epub format. Unfortunately if you want pdf the only version available is an earlier edition below.
Physical copy I'll be reading available here
Free online version available here *note this version is missing Part 3 so will not have the reading for the final week*
Free pdf download from Annas-Archives here *click on the first "slow downloads" option* *also available in epub or modi format for kindle. Just search the title and find the format you want

We follow a mindful conversation approach, details on this along with a general FAQ on how we run the meetup can be found here.
Reading is required to participate in the discussion, but not required to attend.

Can't wait discuss these ideas with all of you!
-Zach

For the second entry in this brief series on art theory and aesthetics, we will be diving into Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset's 1925 essay The Dehumanization of Art. As an attempt to grapple with the newness of "non-representational art," Ortega y Gasset's navigation (and, at times, defense) of modernity feels like a stellar, contradictory, anti-romantic, etc. spiritual follow-up to Paglia's pagan Nietzschean Freudian ancients-admiring brouhaha that was Sexual Personae.

While I had hoped to read through the entirety of Paglia's text, I think that her argument is so perfectly summed up in the first 40 pages that spending the next two months tracing its application through history is captured time that could be used to explore new ideas. So, here we are. Ortega-ing and Gasset-ing.
While it's not required, I would encourage everyone to at least familiarize themselves with Paglia's thought, as I'm sure it'll be referenced a decent amount in our discussion (reach out to me if you want resources or have any questions).

We will be reading this essay in its entirety. I will be reading this edition from Princeton University Press, translated by Helene Weyl (I think?). It is also available for free here via Monoskop. Seems like it sits between 30-50ish pages, depending on your copy - so, totally manageable despite the last-minute nature of this meet-up.

I typically say it's fine if you aren't able to finish the text, but in this case, let's knock it out folks. As always, come armed with opinions, slogans, and dogmatisms or, at the very least, some art + book recommendations for the squad.

We will be meeting in the Ace Hotel lobby on W 29th. There is coffee, breakfast, and booze. Message me the day of if you can't find us. We usually sit toward the back of the lobby next to the bar.

As always, this group is open to newcomers to Ortega y Gasset (guilty), novices of philosophy (+ art, theory, criticism, etc.), ragamuffins, ne'er-do-wells, urchins of all sorts, etc. All insights are encouraged, just be somewhat sensible and all the way cool. Ain't no fun to be found in nodding your head along with a thinker for a hundred pages - strive to disagree, with decency.

Alright, looking forward to it - again, reach out to me with any questions or concerns in the meantime.

See ya then,
Hamp

I will be reading the new translation by Paul Reitter, but feel free to read any translation or edition. The full PDF of the Penguin edition can be found here.

We will plan on meeting in the shady area just southwest of the giant column in the middle of the park. Check this page for location updates and message me or comment if you can't find us!