Sober Philosophy: What is Life? (Robert presents)

Life n
a
: the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body
a matter of life and death
held on for dear life
b
: a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings
felt the life draining out of him
c
: an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism (see metabolism sense 1), growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction
Carbon dioxide is critical for plant life.
2
a
: the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual
… children … are the joy of our lives …—Agnes S. Turnbull
b
: one or more aspects of the process of living
sex life of the frog
3
: biography sense 1
the life of George Washington
4
: spiritual existence transcending (see transcend sense 1c) physical death
eternal life
5
a
: the period from birth to death
became famous relatively late in life
b
: a specific phase of earthly existence
adult life
c
: the period from an event until death
a judge appointed for life
d
law : life sentence
6
: a way or manner of living
couldn't wait to experience college life
7
: livelihood
The fishing village drew its life from the sea.
8
: a vital or living being
specifically : person
Many lives were lost in the disaster.
9
: an animating and shaping force or principle
The life of the law has not been logic: it has been experience.—Oliver Wendell Holmes †1935
10
: spirit, animation
saw no life in her dancing
11
: the form or pattern of something existing in reality
painted from life
12
: the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something
the expected life of the batteries
13
: the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) compare half-life
14
: a property (such as resilience (see resilience sense 1) or elasticity) of an inanimate (see inanimate sense 1) substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being
a spring that has lost most of its life
15
: living beings (as of a particular kind or environment)
bird life
forest life
16
a
: human activities : the active or practical part of human existence
… her experience cooking for crews of men on the railroads in the West had prepared her for life in the Yukon.—Jane G. Haigh
b
: animate activity and movement
stirrings of life
c
: the activities of a given sphere, area, or time
the political life of the country
17
: one providing interest and vigor
life of the party
18
: an opportunity for continued viability
gave the patient a new lease on life
19
Life Christian Science : god sense 1b
20
: something resembling animate life
a grant saved the project's life

Symptom-free (of potentially contagious disease) people with the capacity to listen considerately to diverse viewpoints are invited to attend after successfully RSVPing.

We begin the meeting at 7:30 pm sharp at the mezzanine above the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in the University District: 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

Directions for first-timers at the Graduate Hotel:
From the front hotel entrance go to the right. Turn left around the corner to enter through the north valet entrance. If the valet questions you just say you're here for the philosophy group. Go straight to the main lobby and turn right behind the large bookshelves before the elevators. Enter the stairway on your left, go up one flight, and go through the first door you encounter to enter our meeting area.

AMAZON FORMAT (AZF)
We will begin the meeting by reading the text above silently together.

2-MINUTE OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (2ORF):

1. The topic presenter begins the discussion by taking up to two minutes explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.
2. Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter has up to two minutes to describe their general thoughts on the topic.
3. If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.
4. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.
5. Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into TDRF>4 below.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT:
We will use the format below.

1. We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.
2. Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.
3. If one is not ready to direct they simply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.
4. Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.
5. The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.
6. The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interruptions or redirections.
7. When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.
8. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

At the end of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.