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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out democratic party events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the democratic party events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find democratic party events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Democratic Party Events Today
Join in-person Democratic Party events happening right now
Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust (LFDT) Berlin Monthly Live Gathering
Join us for the LFDT Berlin Monthly Meetup, a relaxed gathering for those involved in or curious about Linux Foundation Decentralized Trust (LFDT). This is a space for open discussions, knowledge sharing, and networking among professionals working on decentralized technologies.
Each month, we come together to share projects, discuss challenges, and exchange ideas on navigating the LFDT ecosystem. Whether you're looking for insights, solutions, or just good company, you'll find a supportive community eager to collaborate and help.
There’s no formal agenda—just organic discussions on the latest developments, real-world applications, and ways to make decentralized trust more impactful. Whether you’re an industry expert or just starting out, you’re welcome to join us, contribute, or just listen in.
Come grab a drink, meet like-minded people, and let’s build the future of decentralized trust together!
Park Workout and Martial Arts
We'll start off the session with a run in Gleisdreieck park that might include scaling some walls, visiting a few sites in the area to explore their opportunities for climbing and balancing, or going up or down stairs in unusual ways. After the outdoors bit, we come back to our gym where we focus on building strength, working as a group, and learning basic martial arts techniques. We are a small, accessible, mixed-gender, queer-friendly group open to anyone, without any prior knowledge or specific degree of fitness required. Our martial art is Jutaijutsu, a traditional Japanese one focused on self-defence.
Sounds interesting? We'd love for you to drop by and join us. You'll need running shoes and comfortable workout clothes, including a raincoat or the like for the park if the weather is bad. Once indoors, we train barefoot. The first three Meetups are free of charge. If you'd like to join our group beyond that, we would ask you to join our association, https://yanagi.berlin, a martial arts school based in Berlin. Membership there is 30 EUR/month and you will be able to train three times a week.
Cuban Salsa Classes (Improvers 2)
Cuban salsa classes every Tuesday.
Join us, improve your skills, save lives and make friends!
**Classes:**
19:00 - Improvers 2 (New routine starting every month)
**Price: (Card payment only)**
1 class - 7€
10 class pass - 49€ or 42€ reduced*
(To use within 11 weeks. Valid for all our classes. It can only be used by one person per class.
No refund possible)
* Reduced price for students, Schüler, Azubis, H4-Empfänger, and pensioners/retired folks. A valid proof is needed.
**Why should you learn Salsa, and why with us?**
- It's great fun!
- You get to know loads of new people.
- No fix starting date - you can start any week.
- No dress code - come in whatever you feel comfortable in.
Note:No outside shoes in the room: socks or a pair of clean shoes will be required
- No partner needed - we change regularly during the classes (bring all your friends though!)
- You can help us make a difference!
**What is Salsa4Water?**
Simple! We teach Salsa and donate all our profits to the NGO Welthungerhilfe, which uses these funds for their local projects in Malawi.
Welthungerhilfe fights for equal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene in nearly 40 countries world wide. This gives you the chance to save lives while dancing!
Realistic Oil Painting Course: Book at www.BerlinPortraitAcademy.com
* **BOOK HERE: [www.BerlinPortraitAcademy.com](www.BerlinPortraitAcademy.com)**
**More information:**
Berlin Portrait Academy teaches realistic oil painting in the tradition of academies in Florence, Barcelona and London, bringing the Atelier experience to Berlin. Open to all levels from absolute beginner, to those who are more experienced but interested in tackling the academic method.
Places are limited to six students per session. Cost is 45 euros per class 350 for a package of ten classes (enquire via email). Materials are provided free for the first lesson.
**Please email [peter@pakd-gallery.com](peter@pakd-gallery.com) with any further questions!**
See you there!
**[www.BerlinPortraitAcademy.com](www.BerlinPortraitAcademy.com)**
Board Gaming Happens! @ Electric Social 🎲
Need a mid-week pick-me-up? Join us for **Sip Happens!** this week at Electric Social, where good beer and great games come together for a fun and fantastic social night! Whether you're a board game pro or just looking for a chill night out and a fun way to socialize, there's something for everyone.
Grab a beer (or cider, or wine, or even a tea!), **pick (or bring) a game,** and meet some new friends as we roll dice, play cards, and laugh the night away. From classics like Catan and Scrabble to party favorites like Cards Against Humanity, we’ve got it all. Coming straight from work? No problem...the kitchen serves awesome food as well! 😉
So, round up your mates or come solo—either way, you’ll leave with new friends and fun memories. Cheers to making midweek nights something to look forward to! 🍺🎉
We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have **no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness.**
**Follow us on Insta:** @siphappens.berlin
**Join us on Telegram:** t.me/siphappens_berlin
**👉 Other important notes:**
\- 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs\, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks\. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases
\- 🦹♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well\-being\. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues\.
\- 📷 By attending our events\, you consent to being photographed or filmed\. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media\. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed\, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram \(@siphappens\.berlin\)
Tuesday Pool Night in Spandau — Easy Games & New Connections
Looking for a low-pressure way to get offline, meet new people, and actually do something fun on a Tuesday? This is a relaxed pool night in Spandau—come for a few rounds, stay for the chats, and leave with a couple of new familiar faces.
**What to expect**
* Casual pool games in **rotating rounds** (so everyone gets to play) — **beginners are welcome**
* A friendly vibe: meaningful conversations *and* a bit of playful pool-table silliness
* We **start on time** — please arrive punctually, otherwise it’s hard to fit you into the rotation
**Costs**
* Your own drinks + shared table costs (depending on group size)
**RSVP**
Please RSVP on Meetup so I can estimate how many tables we’ll need.
Experience Pranic-Healing with a Guided Meditation and Aura Clearing
**Unlock Your Potential with Pranic Healing! In German and English**
Join us for a **Try out experience** every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm close to Treptower Park Train Station.
Experience the transformative benefits of this powerful cleansing and energizing technique in a welcoming environment. Whether you’re curious about energy medicine or looking to enhance your well-being, this is the perfect chance to try it out. No prior experience is needed—just come as you are!
Discover the power of Pranic Healing—your journey to wellness starts here!
❌ RSVP through the Meetup website **doesn't guarantee your spot**
Please do contact- carolineargent@pranaheilungberlin.de to confirm your interest in attending. We look forward to meeting you.
Remember to check your **Spam/Junk folder** for the ✉️ e-mail
Democratic Party Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Latin Rave @ Görlitzer Park + Latin Hell Party @ Badehaus
19:00 - Latin Rave at Park (Free)
23:00 - Latin Party at Badehaus (Tickets availabe online)
Vegan Social Drinks @Birgit
**Description:**
We are back with another social drinks event at Birgit!
Come hang out with fellow vegans for a relaxed evening of socializing, and great drinks!
📍 **Location:** [Birgit Beer Garten](https://www.birgit.club/)
📅 \*\*Date:\*\*Wednesday, April 29th
🕕 **Time:** From 18:00 (6PM) onwards
This is a **casual social evening** and a chance to meet like-minded people, chat, connect, and unwind. We’ll have a few tables reserved, plus space to stand and mingle. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or curious, this is a great chance to meet new people and strengthen our Berlin Vegan community. Bring your friends and help spread the word. We can’t wait to see you there!
🥪 **Feel free to bring your own vegan food** if you'd like to.
🍸 **Drinks are available at the bar**—support the venue and enjoy their selection! \*\*Please note this venue only accepts card payments\*
\*\*Important\*\*
A couple of housekeeping reminders for this event:
1. If you can’t attend, please update your RSVP.
2. This is a vegan social—a safe space for vegans and the vegan-curious. Please respect this environment.
AWS Women's User Group Berlin: April Event - From Control to Intelligence
**The AWS Women’s User Group Berlin** is delighted to invite you to our upcoming meetup sponsored by Public Cloud Group focused on **Cloud Governance and AI Security**.
Join us for an evening focused on building compliant cloud platforms and securing modern AI workloads. Whether you're dealing with highly regulated workloads in your organization or looking to stay ahead of the curve in AI Security, this session will equip you with practical knowledge and innovative approaches.
**Speaker Info**
**Keynote Talk**
**Speaker: Shabnam Motamedirad**
**Position:** Solutions Architect, Public Cloud Group
**Talk Title: Governance First: Building a Compliant AWS Multi-Account Setup**
**Abstract:** Highly regulated industries face strict requirements around security, governance, compliance, and auditability, yet they still need the agility and scalability of the cloud. In this talk, we will walk through how to design and implement a secure AWS Landing Zone tailored for regulated environments using AWS Control Tower as a foundation.
**You’ll learn:**
* What defines a highly regulated environment and the common compliance challenges in cloud adoption
* The core concepts of an AWS Landing Zone and why it’s the foundation of a secure multi-account strategy
* How AWS Control Tower helps establish governance, security guardrails, and account provisioning
* How and when to customize Control Tower to meet advanced regulatory or organizational needs
**AI Security Talk**
**Speaker: Nensi Hakobjanyan**
**Position:** Solutions Architect, AWS
**Talk Title: Securing AI Workloads on AWS: Defense-in-Depth for the Age of Generative AI**
**Abstract:** From classic ML to generative AI and autonomous agents, every layer of the AI stack introduces new security challenges. But do we need to reinvent the wheel?
In this session, we explore how traditional security principles like identity, data protection, threat detection, and governance apply to AI workloads using native AWS services, and where they need to adapt for AI's unique risks. This session is perfectly suited for everyone looking to build AI that's powerful and secure by design.
🗓️ **Event Details:**
\- Date: Wednesday\, April 29th
\- Venue: Amazon Office EDGE East Side Tower [address](https://maps.app.goo.gl/41rxVNQbBNmwLdWE8)
\- Time: 06:00 PM \- 9:00 PM
Doors open at 6:00 PM
Food & drinks will be provided.
📋 **Program Schedule:**
18:00 - Registration and Welcome Networking
18:20 - AWS Women's User Group Welcome
18:30 - "Governance First: Building a Compliant AWS Multi-Account Setup"
Speaker: Shabnam Motamedirad, Solutions Architect, Public Cloud Group
Explore how regulated organizations can safely adopt the cloud with a secure AWS Landing Zone powered by AWS Control Tower.
19:15 - 19:30 Break
19:30 - "Securing AI Workloads on AWS: Defense-in-Depth for the Age of Generative AI"
Speaker: Nensi Hakobjanyan, Solutions Architect, AWS
Discover practical approaches to building AI that is powerful, scalable, and secure by design on AWS.
20:10 - Q&A and closing remarks
20:15 - 21:00 Networking, food & drinks
🎟️ **RSVP**
Don't miss this excellent opportunity to connect with Shabnam, Nensi, the AWS WUG Team and a thriving community of cloud enthusiasts and professionals. Secure your spot by RSVPing now! Seats are limited!
Please note that this user group is specifically for WOMEN and FLINTA\* (female, lesbian, inter, trans\*, non-binary, and agender) only. We kindly ask you to respect the space we are creating and invite you to explore the AWS User Group Berlin for more events.
\*\*\*\*\*\*
🚨Attention🚨
This meetup is hosted at Amazon Offices and attendees must be registered to go through building security.
Make sure you bring an ID card with you, and you register the event with a valid name that matches to your ID.
Media and Consent: We inform all attendees that photographs and videos will be taken during the meetup and will only be used by the event organizers for documentation and promotional purposes. By RSVPing to this event you are consenting to our media policy. Please let the organizers know if you do not want to be in the pictures/videos.
Thank you very much for your cooperation!
\*\*
The AWS Women’s User Group is the very first official women-centric AWS User Group in DACH and EMEA. This group serves as a secure and supportive platform for women and FLINTA\* who want to share their AWS knowledge, passion for cloud computing and advance their career through targeted learning opportunities.
Code of Conduct:
At the AWS Women's User Group in Berlin, we have a strong and unequivocal code of conduct in place to create a safe and empowering environment for all.
Baumhaus Soli Party
🎉 Join us at Panke for an epically groovy and fun celebration of Baumhaus Berlin - the making of an unlikely dream come true! We’ll gather to party, raise the good vibes and some much needed funds 💰to support Baumhaus continuing to help make the World a better place 1 Berlin at a time… links below
🎯 The goal: grow the crowdfunding from €3300 up to €8000 by June 1 to keep Baumhaus open
• Donate - https://www.goodcrowd.org/saving-das-baumhaus
🎸 This next era of our great adventure together features Berlin’s new grooviest band, @junemayjulyband , a 4 piece instrumental band that plays ‘psychedelic groove funk’.
💃 When this band plays it is absolutely irresistible to dance, and on this evening, irresistible for freestyle 🎤 MC Incognegro a.k.a. Scottie B (NYC/Berlin) and other special guests to dive into some creative flowing lyricism.
• Listen - https://youtube.com/shorts/Bi-SXTxgpME
• Follow - https://www.instagram.com/junemayjulyband/
🎧 Before and after the band, we will be graced with selected cuts of funk, soul, groove, hip hop, bass, drum n bass and some other deep grooves mixed by DJs (instagram links) @soulskiberlin , @felix_soulix and @djquien
🔥 If that is not enough to quench your social thirst don’t worry, the whole Panke Club will be transformed into an Open Greeting Zone where its quite normal to introduce yourself to anyone around and expect the same in return.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
👏 Baumhaus - a valuable resource to preserve and grow
Since 2012 over 1300 people have enthusiastically invested their time, energy, and love into making the Baumhaus a reality. It has always been a place where we the people go to get inspired, directly and authentically connected, purposefully engaged, practically informed and personally transformed.
❤️ Baumhaus has provided a unique and resonant atmosphere and intuitively understandable frameworks that facilitate meaningful and connective experiences. Our true solidarity with each other is that we are all working in our own ways to bring more dynamic regenerative balance into the world: personally, ecologically, aesthetically, culturally, economically and socially (p.e.a.c.e.s.).
Baumhaus Soli Party
🎉 Join us at Panke for an epically groovy and fun celebration of Baumhaus Berlin - the making of an unlikely dream come true! We’ll gather to party, raise the good vibes and some much needed funds 💰to support Baumhaus continuing to help make the World a better place 1 Berlin at a time… links below
🎯 The goal: grow the crowdfunding from €3300 up to €8000 by June 1 to keep Baumhaus open
• Donate - https://www.goodcrowd.org/saving-das-baumhaus
🎸 This next era of our great adventure together features Berlin’s new grooviest band, @junemayjulyband , a 4 piece instrumental band that plays ‘psychedelic groove funk’.
💃 When this band plays it is absolutely irresistible to dance, and on this evening, irresistible for freestyle 🎤 MC Incognegro a.k.a. Scottie B (NYC/Berlin) and other special guests to dive into some creative flowing lyricism.
• Listen - https://youtube.com/shorts/Bi-SXTxgpME
• Follow - https://www.instagram.com/junemayjulyband/
🎧 Before and after the band, we will be graced with selected cuts of funk, soul, groove, hip hop, bass, drum n bass and some other deep grooves mixed by DJs (instagram links) @soulskiberlin , @felix_soulix and @djquien
🔥 If that is not enough to quench your social thirst don’t worry, the whole Panke Club will be transformed into an Open Greeting Zone where its quite normal to introduce yourself to anyone around and expect the same in return.
\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
👏 Baumhaus - a valuable resource to preserve and grow
Since 2012 over 1300 people have enthusiastically invested their time, energy, and love into making the Baumhaus a reality. It has always been a place where we the people go to get inspired, directly and authentically connected, purposefully engaged, practically informed and personally transformed.
❤️ Baumhaus has provided a unique and resonant atmosphere and intuitively understandable frameworks that facilitate meaningful and connective experiences. Our true solidarity with each other is that we are all working in our own ways to bring more dynamic regenerative balance into the world: personally, ecologically, aesthetically, culturally, economically and socially (p.e.a.c.e.s.).
Card Games & Craft Beer
**Join us for a relaxed Sunday evening of card games and good beers at Eschenbräu.** 🍻Alongside their excellent craft beer selection, the brewery also offers wine, whiskey, and food, so there’s something for everyone.
If the weather cooperates, we’ll take advantage of the beer garden and enjoy the evening outdoors.
We’ll bring **two standard decks of cards** as well as **an UNO Flip deck** to get things started. Feel free to bring along your own favourite card games or introduce the group to something new. A few rounds of classics like Rummy and Hearts are definitely on the agenda.
Come by, play a few hands, and enjoy a laid-back night in good company. :)
**See you soon, heart shaped friends** 🫶
Education: Past, Present, and Future – Knowledge, Power, and Society
**Education: Past, Present, and Future – Knowledge, Power, and Society**
Education is a central institution in human societies, shaping how knowledge is produced, distributed, and legitimized. It plays a crucial role in structuring social hierarchies, political participation, and economic opportunities. While often understood as a pathway to equality and personal development, education also contributes to the reproduction of existing inequalities.
Historically, access to education was restricted to elites and religious institutions. The expansion of public education since the Enlightenment marked a shift toward broader inclusion, closely tied to processes of industrialization and democratization. Education became both a public good and a key mechanism for enabling social mobility and civic participation.
At the same time, education is not neutral. Educational systems can reproduce social inequality by privileging certain forms of knowledge, language, and behavior that align with dominant social groups. They can also function as mechanisms of discipline, shaping norms, expectations, and patterns of behavior. In this sense, education operates at the intersection of knowledge and power.
Yet education also holds transformative potential. It can expand access to knowledge, foster critical thinking, and create opportunities for individuals to move beyond structural constraints. It therefore simultaneously functions as a mechanism of social reproduction and as a driver of greater equality.
In contemporary contexts, education is being reshaped by digitalization, globalization, and changing economic demands. These developments create new opportunities for access and innovation, while also generating new forms of inequality.
Looking ahead, technological change—particularly artificial intelligence—challenges traditional assumptions about the purpose of education. This raises fundamental questions: Should education primarily serve economic productivity, democratic participation, or individual development? And how can it remain both equitable and meaningful in a rapidly changing world?
This discussion invites a critical examination of education as a historical, political, and social force—one that both reinforces and transforms the structures of society.
***
📅 Event Details
🗓️ Date: Sunday, 03 Mai 2026
⏰ Time: 14:30
📍 Location: Hardenbergstraße 10, 10623 Berlin
📱 WhatsApp: For prep materials and directions (Group Chat)
[Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)
Democratic Party Events Near You
Connect with your local Democratic Party community
PBR Columbus-Tiki Party
🌺🍹 **TIKI PARTY @ PBR COWBOY BAR + SMOKEHOUSE** 🐂🌴
**Friday, May 15th**
Grab your crew and get ready to trade boots for beach vibes (or rock both 😏). We’re turning PBR into a tropical party for one night only—think island energy, great music, and a packed dance floor.
🔥 **How to Join the Party**
When you arrive, just **say “PBR Meetup” at the door** to get your wristband for exclusive drink specials all night!
🍹 **Exclusive Drink Specials-7pm-9pm**
$3 Domestic Draft – Miller Lite & Coors Light
$3 Well Liquor Cocktails
$4 Vizzy Seltzers
$5 Select Call Liquor – Tito’s, Bacardi, Tanqueray, Cazadores Reposado & Jack Daniels
$5 Select Shots – White Tea Shots & Fireball
💃 **What to Expect**
🌴 Tropical vibes + high-energy music
💃 Line dancing + dance floor all night
🤝 A fun, social crowd (perfect for groups or meeting new people)
📸 Plenty of moments you’ll want on camera
Whether you’re coming for the drinks, the dancing, or just a fun night out—this is your excuse to show up and go all in.
Throw on something tropical, bring your people, and we’ll see you at the party 🌺🍹
COUNT RMH Housewarmer Volunteering (Ronald McDonald House)
Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process.
Fast track
• Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell).
• Show up and try it out.
• Complete application, etc. later.
Normal process
• Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/).
• Attend orientation in advance.
• At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility.
• Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM.
• Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895).
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014.
Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.
Kind Exchange: Vegan Book & Plant Swap
[The Kind Exchange](https://www.facebook.com/events/3087825058070662/)
A gathering to share, swap, and connect with like-minded people who care about plant-based living, sustainability, and mindful choices.
This is more than a swap — it’s a space to circulate what we already have and meet others in the community.
Bring any of the following to share:
* **Vegan-related books** (cookbooks, sustainability, mindful living, etc.)
* **Plants or cuttings** (optional)
Swap for something new-to-you from others. *The more you bring, the more there is to exchange!*
Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly- [https://form.jotform.com/260975490897073](https://form.jotform.com/260975490897073?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVGxJeFRub0FQNmhUcmF3VnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4u9YhVWcSkITKfEn_NajeEUIyxFrXbcaG0HjFHoQn-MCxKlhGlUpFAnsMIzw_aem_vo9QISntFpTtGskmWaVEkQ)
Unclaimed books/plants at the end of the event will be donated.
Take Control Of Your Life, Freedom From Negative Thoughts & Irrational Emotions
Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences.
Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future.
What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs.
At this free local Meetup event we will talk about:
* What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic.
* Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences?
* How to break away from negativity and focus on the future
* What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions?
Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home.
Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences.
Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there.
This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.
Duty vs. Results: What Makes an Action Moral?
When judging morality, should we prioritize **intentions/duty** or **outcomes/results**? It introduces two influential philosophers as representatives of these approaches.
* **Immanuel Kant (deontology):** An action is moral when it is done from **duty** and follows rational, universal principles (the **categorical imperative**). Certain acts—like lying—are wrong regardless of the consequences; you can’t do a wrong thing for a right reason.
* **John Stuart Mill (utilitarian consequentialism):** The morality of an action is determined by its **effects**, specifically how much **happiness/well-being** it produces. Mill argues that some pleasures are “higher” than others, and that good intentions don’t redeem harmful outcomes.
## Discussion Questions
1. **The lying dilemma:** A murderer comes to your door and asks if your friend is hiding inside. Kant would say you must not lie.
2. **Can good intentions rescue a bad outcome?**
3. **The organ harvest problem:** A surgeon has five patients dying of organ failure and one healthy patient in for a checkup. Killing the one to harvest organs would save five lives, and the math works out for the utilitarian. Why does this feel so deeply wrong? Is that feeling a point in Kant's favor, or just a bias we should overcome?
4. **Do rules need exceptions?** Kant insists moral rules must be universal, with no exceptions. But most of us can imagine extreme scenarios where any rule seems like it should bend. Does the need for exceptions fatally undermine deontology, or is the strength of the system precisely that it refuses to bend?
5. **Who gets to calculate the consequences?** Utilitarianism asks us to maximize good outcomes, but we're notoriously bad at predicting consequences. If we can't reliably know the results of our actions, is it practical to base our entire moral system on outcomes? Does this uncertainty push us back toward rules and principles?
6. **Everyday morality:** Think about a real moral decision you've made recently, even a small one. Did you reason more like a Kantian (what's the right thing to do in principle?) or more like a utilitarian (what will produce the best result?)? Do most people naturally lean one way?
7. **Justice vs. the greater good:** A town can prevent a deadly plague by sacrificing one innocent person. The greater good is clearly served. But is it just? Can an action be morally right and deeply unjust at the same time?
8. **The big synthesis question:** Are these two systems actually opposed, or do they often arrive at the same answers by different paths? Is it possible that we need both: rules to guide us in the moment and consequences to evaluate systems and policies over time?
Manic Mondays with Salsamante Dance Academy
Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves.
The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate.
730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves
830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate)
$15 for One Class
$20 for Both
Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space.
ASH UU Topic: TBD
ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio
TBD
Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!





















