What we’re about
## Details
Another enjoyable free flowing discussion after the regular
Saturday Melbourne Existentialist Society Meeting. Please feel free to join the Melbourne Existentialst Society meeting from 2 pm AEST
https://www.meetup.com/existentialist-society/?eventOrigin=event_home_page
Life the Universe Street Philosophy commences at cessation of
The Melbourne Existentialist Society meeting.
Some of the many topics we have discussed previously,
some of which I could almost follow, are-
The Id, Super Ego and Ego
Where did the laws of physics come from?
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Does Truth exist independent of consciousness?
Hard problem of consciousness.
Conspiracy theories - is there a psychological profile of a habitual conspiracy Theorist.
Previously
Is it possible to have ojective Morality without a concept of God?
Definition of "Information"
How do we know how a particle behaves in an unobserved state if "unobserved" by definition means we don't blinking well see it?
Meaning of meaning in "what is the meaning of life?"
Definition of Language
Ship of Thesis - is the "thing" just a construct?
Tranendentalism
Determinism
Observer effect in quantum physics
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Is there a why to human existence?
Definition of experience.
Method of applying reason.
What does it mean to be "your authentic self?"
Idealism v Realism - ABSOLUTE TRUTH - What does that mean ? does it exist ? Ontology, how equipped are we to fathom the nature of things? HARD PROBLEM OF CONSCIOUSNESS: WHERE DOES CONSCIOUSNESS ARISE?: DOES DNA TRANSLATE TO BEHAVIOUR?, IF SO HOW - definition of rationality - origins of "value" - precision of mathematics - concept of infinity.
Definition of Information
- where is the information in an un opened book, does it exist when unobserved?
Reason
- what is the definition of reason
does it exist in physical laws, i.e. if we can we say "the reason the rock fell is because of gravity"?, how is this different to "what is the reason she chose Pepsi max instead of Coke Zero?"
Validity of evolutionary psychology:
- what evidence is there for evolutionarily selected behaviour, given that we cannot observe the history of the emergence of neurological structures as we can observe evolutionarily selected anatomical changes?
Events inPhilosophyPhilosophy & Ethics
Philosophy of MindConsciousnessExistentialist Philosophy
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Ethics, Theism, and NaturalismLink visible for attendees
## Details
Theists often assert that God or some transcendent authority is required in order to justify objective moral claims. In this talk, James Fodor considers this claim in the light of contemporary philosophical exploration of the foundations of morality. He will first present a naturalistic grounding for moral obligations in terms of promotion of valuable ends, and identify morally valuable ends with sentient wellbeing. James will then contrast this account with traditional theistic accounts of morality, arguing that the latter face substantial problems that are not encountered by the naturalist. He will conclude with a summary of the debate and reflections on why many find it so intuitive that morality requires a transcendent foundation.
Events inHumanismEthics
Philosophy & EthicsReligionSecular Humanism## Speaker
James Fodor
James Fodor is a PhD student in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Melbourne. His research focuses on analysing computational models of how complex semantic concepts are represented in the brain. Outside of research, James has a keen interest in science, philosophy and critical thinking. He hosts a YouTube channel where he discusses philosophy of religion and is author of the book Unreasonable Faith. He is passionate about Effective Altruism, including causes such as global poverty and animal welfare. - ONLINE / ENGLISH: Seneca's Essays On AngerLink visible for attendees
## Details
Our group enjoys reading the ancient and modern Stoic texts, so the next series we will go back to the first century, when Seneca wrote his famous essays 'On Anger'. It spans 3 books and 100 chapters. Like most books we've read, we'll be reading in depth. The book is online as a public domain book, so you won't need to buy a book and wait for shipping.
Here are the major themes in the reading:
- The Nature and Origins of Anger
- The Dangers and Consequences of Anger
- The Futility of Anger
- Strategies for Preventing Anger
- Healing after Anger
For those with a Stoic practice, this discussion will be an important exercise: (1) how to pause before reacting with anger, (2) how to improve focus and build awareness of anger, and (3) how to prepare for situations that might cause anger (using Premeditatio Malorum).
For those with an interest in psychology, our discussion will help: (1) to learn how anger leads to poor decisions and regret, (2) how to switch from emotional responses to value-based responses, and (3) how to expect adversity in life and reduce stress.
SCHEDULE
5-23-2025 Book 1 (Chap 1-10)
5-30-2025 Book 1 (Chap 11-21)
6-06-2025 Meeting was skipped
6-13-2025 Book 2 (Chap 1-12)
6-20-2025 Book 2 (Chap 13-24)
6-27-2025 Book 2 (Chap 25-36)
7-04-2025 Book 3 (Chap 1-10)
7-11-2025 Book 3 (Chap 11-20)
7-18-2025 Book 3 (Chap 21-30)
7-25-2025 Book 3 (Chap 31-43)
8-01-2025 Finale (maybe a special guest)
READING MATERIALS
The following materials are optional; read in advance if you have time. StoicDan will collect highlights from each book in an outline to further the discussion.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Of_Anger
Time
Meeting time (USA):
7:00PM Eastern
6:00PM Central
5:00PM Mountain
4:00PM Pacific
For our international friends,
Please convert time with the free tool
https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
Zoom Info
CLICK TO START MEETING - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86559843870
If you don't have a computer with camera or mic, then you can attend by telephone. Dial one of these numbers and add meeting ID 865 5984 3870#
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
+1 301 715 8592 US
In general, Stoicism teaches us how to handle difficult people and events, how to avoid anger and worry, and overall to use moderation in life. We will discuss how Stoic practice can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Our group enjoys open-minded, respectful conversations on Stoicism and how it relates to science, culture, philosophy, history, other belief systems, and pop culture (books and movies). If we differ in our opinions, then "we agree to disagree". The long-term goal is to improve our minds via group discussions. Our group does NOT discuss religion or politics.
This event is free and open to the public.
Events inAnger ManagementSeneca
Self-Help & Self-ImprovementPsychologyStoicism - When and why was the Bible written?Link visible for attendees
## Details
EXISTENTIALIST MEETUP - Melbourne, Australia.
Our monthly online Meetup presentation on the History of Religion.
The presentations are followed by questions, comments and discussion.
All viewpoints welcome.
Early Religion: An Alternative History
What do the historians and archaeologists think of the veracity of religious legends? Legends are an amalgamation of history and mythology. But how much of each?
"WHEN AND WHY WAS THE BIBLE WRITTEN?"
Could the rude shock of the unexpected withdrawal by the Assyrian Empire from the Levant in the 7th century BC, and their handing over of control to the Egyptians, have catapulted the Judeans into commencing to cobble together their sacred legends, oral and written, in order to get on the right side of their God, Yahweh?
The events leading up to the eventual conquest of the Assyrian Empire by the Medes and Babylonians in 609 BC, were the backdrop to the collecting, writing and re-writing of the early legends of the Old Testament by the Judeans.
We will be looking at the influence of these momentous events on the construction of the Bible as presented in the book: "The Bible Unearthed" by Israel Finkelstein, Professor of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University and his historian colleague, Neil Asher Silberman. YouTube Audiopedia summary of their book.
A relevant Biblical enigma is why the Judean King, Manasseh (698 BC to 642 BC) gets condemned so harshly in 2 Kings, yet in 2 Chronicles (written two to three hundred years later) he is surprisingly rehabilitated into becoming one of the Bible's few righteous Kings.
David Miller will present the topic and lead the discussion.
Relevant Emperors, Pharaohs and Kings (to google, if you wish):
Ashurbanipal, Neo-Assyrian Emperor.
Psamtik I and Necho II, Pharaohs of the 26th Dynasty of Egypt.
Manasseh and Josiah, Kings of Judah.
The Zoom link will appear for those who RSVP.
Meeting ID: 892 3776 1846 - - Passcode: 107832
Existentialist Society's Website - - - YouTube - - - Facebook
Events inBible Study
ArchaeologyHistoryTheologyReligion
