Free Thinker

Before we order dinner, I will ask each person to stand and introduce yourself to the group. Then I want you to tell us why you came tonight, and if you are concerned about Canada's future and your own. Then we can all enjoy an evening of discussion over diner and/or drinks, If you have a question about libertarianism, ask it and those nearby will want to offer answers. Or maybe you have an answer to someone else's question. Or someone makes a point you are interested in. That's how discussions get started. We usually have a dozen people at these Meetups.

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $18 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

Flora Tristan, the first European writer to connect socialism and feminism, has long been neglected as a systematic thinker. This talk reads her The Workers’ Union and other writings through the lens of a political economy of care. It argues that Tristan takes the need for care work in the family seriously, while also calling for institutional care for the young, sick, and elderly. While her gendered views from the early 19th century assume that much of this care work, especially in families, would be done by women, the systematic core of her arguments can be separated from these historical layers. Ultimately, Tristan provides a political economy perspective in which economic and political rights are closely interwoven, but in which unpaid care work, in the family and beyond, is always part of the picture. Lisa Herzog https://www.rug.nl/staff/l.m.herzog/cv?lang=en Professor of Political Philosophy, Dean Faculty of Philosophy University of Groningen **About the Speaker:** Lisa Herzog works at the intersection of political philosophy and economic thought. She has held her position at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Groningen since 2019. Between 2021 and 2025, she was the Directer of the Center for Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and since January 2023, she is Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy. She holds a master (Diplom) in economics from LMU Munich, and an M.St. in Philosophy and D.Phil. in Political Theory from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar. Herzog has published on the philosophical dimensions of markets (both historical and systemical), liberalism and social justice, ethics in organizations, and the future of work. The current focus of her work are workplace democracy, professional ethics, and the role of knowledge in democracies. She is a co-editor of the interdisciplinary journal [Review of Social Economy.](https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rrse20/current) Her forthcoming monograph is entitled [ ](https://www.rug.nl/staff/l.m.herzog/citizen-knowledge.pdf)*[Citizen Knowledge. Markets, Experts, and the Infrastructure of Democracy](https://www.rug.nl/staff/l.m.herzog/citizen-knowledge.pdf)*[ ](https://www.rug.nl/staff/l.m.herzog/citizen-knowledge.pdf). **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

Practise your English in a friendly, welcoming class in Toronto. Join our free in-person English class and improve your speaking, fluency, grammar and vocabulary with supportive teachers. This class is a great opportunity to practise English, build confidence and meet new people. **When** Starting today - every weekday Monday - Friday 2.00pm–4.00pm **Where** Teaching House Toronto OHC / Sol Camps 469 Jarvis St Toronto, ON M4Y 2G8 Canada **What you’ll practise** * Speaking and fluency * Grammar and vocabulary * Listening and pronunciation * Everyday English for real-life situations * Confidence using English with other people **Who can join?** Adults aged 18+ who want to improve their English. Refugees, asylum seekers and newcomers are very welcome. **About the classes** The classes are taught by trainee English teachers on a Cambridge-accredited CELTA course and supervised by experienced teacher trainers. **Cost** Free **Before the class** Please arrive a little early so we can welcome you and check your English level. Spaces may be limited, so please RSVP if you would like to attend.Cost: FREE Sign up using this **Level Test: [https://forms.gle/CZXAHL9w4WfsVdxk6](https://forms.gle/CZXAHL9w4WfsVdxk6)** OR If you already know your level, choose the [registration form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe65RTiI_hQMJ_58JdE2DhhtYyF2Mz3Ah_PN2hL3yLSkJadpA/viewform?usp=sf_link) instead

**NO PHILOSOPHY EXPERTISE REQUIRED!** **🏛️ WHAT'S PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY ABOUT?** Practical Philosophy is a weekly meet-up that brings critical thinkers together for an opportunity to dive deep on a topic, practice communicating, and building a community. All with no ‘official’ philosophy knowledge required! 😎 Practical Philosophy is based on the idea that philosophy should be accessible to all, and not something reserved only for academics. Each week we choose a topic, and the goal is to use the conversation to develop our critical thinking and communication as we explore that topic. The goal is to help develop our Critical Thinking, Communication, and Community 🙌 **📓 HOW DOES IT WORK?** Each week, we pick one topic and discuss it. The topic for the week is shared, generally in the [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t), along with jump-off points to get the conversation going. When groups get bigger than 7-8 people, it’s important that we break into smaller groups. This way we are able to maintain a conversational flow as opposed to having our meetups feel like a discourse or lecture. **General Meeting Agenda** Each Practical Philosophy meet-up follows this general timeline: * 19:30-19:45 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the official start. * 19:45-19:55 - Meeting introduction, explanation of Practical Philosophy and the topic for the week, read the guidelines and the overview so attendees know what to expect in terms of timelines. * 19:55-21:15 - Break into small groups - introduce yourselves and general thoughts on the topic, open discussion afterwards. At this point the group can review the ‘jump-off’ questions as needed, but they are just there to help guide the conversation. It’s not obligatory to answer them. * 21:15-21:30 - Bring everyone back together to discuss conclusions of the topic - each group gives a short 1-minute summary. Organizer concludes the meeting and everyone takes a group photo. * 21:30 - The official meeting is over but it’s a great opportunity to get to know people in a non-structured environment, so we often stick around, chat, and get to know each other. **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy is operated entirely on voluntary donations! If we are meeting in a café, buy a beverage! Donations are 100% voluntary, but they help us to bring the gift of deep conversation to people around the world. If you'd like to support, you can [donate here](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/donation-form/donate-to-practical-philosophy)! (Practical Philosophy is a registered Canadian charity) **💛 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY** **🗣** “I feel like Philosophy Club helps someone build their own belief system through a series of perspectives while not promoting what’s right and wrong” - Ekam 🗣 “I got hooked from day 1 (the topic was authority) and felt it was the right place for me. I feel it is a place where people can go to learn and discuss new perspectives and increase critical thinking and community by interacting with people who might challenge your point of views but at the same time encourage you to have openness and mind flexibility.” - Daniel **🤓 FAQ** * **Do I need to study or read anything to attend?** No preparation is necessary. This isn’t a study of other thinkers. We want to know what you think about the topic, not what an old philosopher thought. If you have a perspective from a religion or a school of thought to share, throw it on the table and we’ll discuss it. * **Is there a specific philosophy that Practical Philosophy is focused on?** The goal of our meet-ups is to not have dogmatic discussions, and flex our critical thinking muscles. Because of this, we want to hear from every realm of thought, and don't study a particular school. * **Is it mostly men that attend?** Surprisingly, no! Although often, philosophy is seen as a Candelabra affair in a dark room with a bunch of guys, our Practical Philosophy meetups are generally 50/50 between genders, and we don’t meet in any dark rooms. * **Can I come alone?** Of course you can, we encourage it :) * **Can I be late?** Please don't be! We do have a 15 minute grace period where we allow people to funnel in while we hang out, but after that if you arrive too late, it disrupts the flow of the conversation. * **Where do you meet?** The location is posted in Meetup and our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) group for this location. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you join the Whatsapp group! If you want to know what other cities have a Practical Philosophy Club, you can see our chapters on our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/practical-philosophy-locations/). 🤝**POLICY** To respect our members privacy, we ask that no one privately message a member without first getting explicit consent. (This looks like speaking in person and being asked to message privately.) Contacting or texting other participants without prior consent is not permitted and may result in removal from the group. Practical Philosophy reserves the right to enforce this policy at its discretion to maintain a safe and respectful environment. **PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY CLUB - Philosophy, everywhere. ✨** We started in Practical Philosophy back in 2021 and there are now 50+ chapters in over 25 countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ **\*\*\*** **Join our [Toronto Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B7LyJIeBlaH5VtXkMJTTph?mode=gi_t) 👈** **Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/) 👈** **Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club/) 👈**

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $18 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

This is Day 2 of a hybrid two day conference presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics on the theme of "Kant in Practice". Talks will also be streamed online with live chat. The Conference Schedule [DAY 1](https://www.meetup.com/the-toronto-philosophy-meetup/events/314797126/) – Tuesday, May 19 * 14.00-15.30 — [Sergio Tenenbaum](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/sergio-tenenbaum/) (University of Toronto) – "Virtuous Action and Practical Cognition: Kant Against Contemporary Conceptions of Moral Worth" * 16.00-17.30 — [Arthur Ripstein](https://philosophy.utoronto.ca/directory/arthur-ripstein/) (University of Toronto) — "System, Progress and Kant’s Four Questions" Please note: per UofT custom, these talks will start promptly at 10 minutes past the hour. [DAY 2](https://www.meetup.com/the-toronto-philosophy-meetup/events/314797218/) – Wednesday, May 20 * 11.30-13.00 — [Garrath Williams](https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/global-affairs/people/garrath-williams) (Lancaster University) – "The Groundwork Lays the Ground for Right" * 14.00-15.30 — [Alice Pinheiro Walla](https://experts.mcmaster.ca/people/pinheiro) (McMaster University) – "Legal Equality and Social Inequality: Insights from Kant’s Doctrine of Right" The talks will also be streamed online with live chat [here](https://www.youtube.com/live/5ntz-8tq_ZI?si=H1JkllD5GXuMJike) (Day 2). To attend in person, you can email Garrath (g.d.williams@lancaster.ac.uk) to register and receive updates. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

Join Liberty Labs Toronto for our eleventh meetup on **Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM** near Yonge and Eglinton! This month we’re going deep on **breaking free from the matrix** — rejecting the default script of modern life and intentionally designing a more sovereign, fulfilling existence. Whether you’re already living it or just exploring the idea, we’ll discuss how libertarians can opt out of conventional paths and build lives aligned with true freedom. This will be a highly participatory session. Come ready to share (or just listen to) real stories about: * Van life, digital nomadism, or off-grid experiments * Minimalism and financial independence * Polyamory, child-free living, or unconventional relationships * Intentional communities and voluntary living arrangements * Any other way you’re breaking free from societal defaults We’ll talk about the wins, the challenges, the financial realities, and how to navigate family pressure and Canadian legal hurdles while staying true to libertarian principles. What to expect: * Open sharing and respectful discussion from attendees * Complimentary appetizers and a drink ticket * Everyone who attends will receive a million-dollar Zimbabwe note as a fun take-home reminder of real value vs. fiat illusions * Connect with 10-20 liberty-minded Torontonians Venue: Pickle Barrel (2300 Yonge St, at Yonge & Eglinton), right above Eglinton Station. Easy parking in the Yonge Eglinton Centre garage or nearby Green P lots. RSVP on Meetup to save your spot. Let’s talk about **breaking free from the matrix** — and inspire each other to live freer, more intentional lives. See you there!

I picked a new location for this very exciting series between Montreal and Carolina. It should be very tight and entertaining

We will meet for a discussion of the book [When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life by Steven Pinker](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224003186-when-everyone-knows-that-everyone-knows) **To attend this event, you should have read this book and be able to partake in discussions on this book.** From the publisher: In *When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows*, Steven Pinker explores the sophisticated mechanics of **common knowledge**—the psychological state where two or more people not only know a piece of information, but know that the others know it, and know that they know that they know it. Pinker argues that this recursive loop is the invisible glue holding society together, differentiating a mere collection of individuals from a functioning collective. By examining everyday phenomena like eye contact, "the Emperor’s New Clothes," and the strategic ambiguity of innuendo, he demonstrates how common knowledge can trigger sudden social shifts. When a private truth becomes a public one, it creates a "coordination game" where individuals feel empowered to act, knowing they are part of a synchronized majority. The book extends this logic to the high-stakes realms of **money and power**, illustrating how the value of currency and the legitimacy of authorities rely entirely on mutual belief. Pinker posits that a dollar bill or a political regime only maintains its strength as long as there is common knowledge of its worth or stability; once that shared certainty is punctured, hyperinflation or revolution can occur almost overnight. Through his signature blend of cognitive science, linguistics, and game theory, Pinker demystifies how humans navigate complex social hierarchies. He reveals that our ability to manage what "everyone knows" is not just a quirk of communication, but a fundamental biological tool for maintaining cooperation and managing conflict in a crowded world. Bring an open mind and a smile! I hope to see you there.

**Though it's coming to late spring, one wonders if spring has even started; nonetheless it is time for another brunch,** The future of the **Halton Peel Humanist Community** is in the balance and we want our members and friends to be aware of the challenges we face. Please join us and share your ideas, and especially what you can contribute to keep it going. We will soon discuss these matters more formally at our Annual Meeting, but see no reason why we cannot start the conversation sooner. We’re all ears. ***Apologies for the relatively short notice*** Curious about the brunch menu at the Donegal Arms? You can browse it here: *[Brunch Menu](https://www.instagram.com/p/DLLKR7vP9dB/)* (though no promises it’s fully up to date). **Parking tip:** Try the lot on Hurontario Street, just north of Donegal Arms and the two storefronts next to it.

**\*NOTE\* Our main meetup group for in-person events is Toronto Intuitives.** Join your community of fellow Intuitives and MBTI nerds for a casual evening of engaging conversation. We get together every second Sunday – with a mix of regulars and new friends. There is no fee to attend, though we ask that you support the venue by ordering something to eat or drink. **Feel free to contact event host B. via Facebook/Meetup messenger, or text/call 416-712-8635 for directions**. About the venue: The Pint Public House Nearest Subway: Union Station Map / Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/G5GfXDSQXeifJ5ot5 We make an effort to find pubs that are quiet and introvert friendly, with a section to ourselves. We make no effort to muffle our extroverts, but should they get out of hand, our resident INTJ will use their death stare, to pull them back in line.

Join us the 4th Friday of every month at 6 pm at Cherie Bistro for another Toronto Humanist & Atheist get-together! Catch up with friends and welcome new people.

Authoritarian contexts — e.g. regimes, movements, and personalities — are ubiquitous throughout human history, and can be found across our world today. Analytic political philosophy has tended to shy away from such contexts through idealising the conditions for theoretical research and delineating clearly the scopes for envisioned praxis and efficacy. Even where such contexts feature in analytic political theories, they are either portrayed as definitively and unequivocally defective, or as 'objects' with which democratic societies must engage. This talk posits that such methodological presumptions are fundamentally problematic: not only do they overlook the substantial richness, diversity, and agency of life in authoritarian contexts, they also fail to shed light on how political change - whether it be in the direction of greater political legitimacy or justice - can and should come about in authoritarian contexts. This talk draws upon Dr. Wong's two recently published works — Reparative Justice in Authoritarian States (Routledge, 2025) and "Living the liberal life in illiberal contexts: the case for realist pluralist liberalism", Inquiry (2026). About the Speaker: [Brian Wong](https://www.asiaglobalinstitute.hku.hk/about/people/brian-wong) is an Assistant Professor in Philosophy at Hong Kong University. He is a political theorist and geopolitical strategist whose research examines authoritarian regimes and citizens’ political and moral responsibilities, colonial and historical injustices, and the interaction between domestic politics and foreign policy of states in East Asia, especially China. Brian has taught modules in politics to undergraduate students at Oxford and Stanford Universities, and has delivered keynote speeches across Harvard-Science Po, Carnegie-Tsinghua, Tsinghua, Tufts, and Stanford campuses. Brian is a Hong Kong Rhodes Scholar (2020) and obtained his DPhil in Politics at Oxford University. He holds an MPhil in Political Theory (Distinction) and an MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (First Class) from Oxford. He co-founded and advises Oxford Political Review, a publication aspiring to bridge the theory-practice gap. **\* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \* \*** This is a talk with audience Q&A presented by the University of Toronto's Centre for Ethics that is free to attend and open to the public. The talk will also be streamed online with live chat here [to be posted]. About the Centre for Ethics (http://ethics.utoronto.ca): The Centre for Ethics is an interdisciplinary centre aimed at advancing research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. The Centre seeks to bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge of diverse scholars, students, public servants and social leaders in order to increase understanding of the ethical dimensions of individual, social, and political life. In pursuit of its interdisciplinary mission, the Centre fosters lines of inquiry such as (1) foundations of ethics, which encompasses the history of ethics and core concepts in the philosophical study of ethics; (2) ethics in action, which relates theory to practice in key domains of social life, including bioethics, business ethics, and ethics in the public sphere; and (3) ethics in translation, which draws upon the rich multiculturalism of the City of Toronto and addresses the ethics of multicultural societies, ethical discourse across religious and cultural boundaries, and the ethics of international society. The Ethics of A.I. Lab at the Centre For Ethics recently appeared on a list of 10 organizations leading the way in ethical A.I.: https://ocean.sagepub.com/blog/10-organizations-leading-the-way-in-ethical-ai

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

SATURDAY: This event is 2:30 - 4 pm SATURDAY. Conversation tends toward intermediate/advanced, but everybody is welcome. If you come and don't see us right away, keep looking. We could be anywhere in the restaurant.

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!

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.