Reading Philosophy and Psychology (NYC)

We will read this text in roughly 30 page increments, allowing for a close read and in depth discussion. The book is written as a series of numbered paragraphs which more or less follow each other in theme. You should take note of particular paragraphs of interest to focus our discussion together since we will not be able to discuss each paragraph individually. I will be reading from this version of the text and you can find a free copy here. For the sixth week we will read sections 525-693 (p. 151-181).

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

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

After 6 months of reactionary readings, navigating forest passages and tiger riding, I boldly claimed that I was (at last) intending to deviate.

Certainly the world of aesthetics and art theory that I meant to delve into, however briefly, would allow us some reprieve from the onslaught of anti-modern, anti-tech, anti-democratic, aristocratic, amply vitalist, poetic, life-affirming, escapist, mythical, at-times-beautiful, at-times-concerning, ya-ya-hurricane of blabbering that I've subjected you all to for this last half year.

Nope. Whoops.

Are we still focusing on art? Sure. Is the author of some Nietzschean feminist persuasion, anti-modern and vaguely-pagan, controversial and fun fun fun, holding some new cultural currency amidst our bizarre and ever-fluctuating + increasingly-radical political landscape? Sure.

In short, we're reading Camille Paglia and her 1990 text Sexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson*.* I reckon maybe three of you will stick with this until the end and what a beautiful ride it will be. Prove me wrong.

This first session will focus on pages 1 through 139. As always, this is what we do in this series. This entails reading from Chapter 1 (Sex and Violence, or Nature and Art) through the end of Chapter 4 (Pagan Beauty). If you can't read it all, that's fine. Come armed with opinions, slogans, and dogmatisms or, at the very least, some art and book recommendations for the squad.

I will be reading this copy available through Vintage Books.
It is also available here as a free PDF.
Message me if there are any issues procuring a copy.

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 Paglia, 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 - reach out to me with any questions in the meantime.

See ya then,
Hamp

Full text PDF 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 comment if you can't find us!