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Intellectual Discussions

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Intellectual Discussions Events Today

Join in-person Intellectual Discussions events happening right now

Philosophy Session/discussion, open for all!
Philosophy Session/discussion, open for all!
These fortnightly sessions are dedicated to the discussion and exploration of an idea that I, as the organiser, have planned. No prior reading or knowledge is required. For more information, please visit https://www.think-philosophy.group/about/
Raynes Park International Cafe
Raynes Park International Cafe
The café will be open on Thursdays between 23rd April 2026 and 2nd July 2026 - but will not be open on 28th May 2026. \*\* There will also be a **FREE ENGLISH CLASS** for 40 minutes - from 7pm to 7:40pm. \*\* The café offers the chance to practise your English in a friendly atmosphere, where you can meet and make friends. Thursdays, 7:30pm - 9:00pm at Dundonald Church 577 Kingston Road Raynes Park SW20 8SA It is organised by local Christians and during the evening there will be a simple meal and a short talk. facebook.com/raynespark.int.cafe
Pub Social & Live Talk: When Does Personality Rigidity Become a Disorder?
Pub Social & Live Talk: When Does Personality Rigidity Become a Disorder?
The London MBTI Meetup is back! Calling all those with an interest in personality, Jung's psychological types and the Myers-Briggs MBTI. Join us for a pub social and live talk in a lovely traditional pub venue. Expect interesting conversations on topics of shared interest. Whether you are new to type theory or a long time professional, all welcome, no particular knowledge or expertise required. Jungian Analyst-in-training and business consultant Nick Toko will give a live talk / presentation including some slides at around 7pm for 20 mins. The topic will be 'When Does Personality Rigidity Become a Disorder?' He will explore some of the differences between healthy adaptable personality and the more extreme and rigid presentations that might arise in a clinical setting. Myself (Richard: a professional coach with an MSc in business psychology and many personality assessment qualifications), will be there to welcome, host and introduce people. The venue is just 8 mins walk from Farringdon Station (multiple rail and tube lines) or 6 mins walk from Chancery Lane (Central Line). We will be in the upstairs room. I've set the time 6-10pm so people can come straight from work in London OR come along later after going home or travelling into London. No need to be there for the whole time. Please RSVP, and keep it up to date. Make the commitment to turn up, it will be fun!
CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING: IRL SOCIAL • Theme: AUTHENTICITY
CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING: IRL SOCIAL • Theme: AUTHENTICITY
**Formerly 'THE HEARTH', this event has evolved... (you can read the story and rationale [here](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/p/creative-community-building))** CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING is **A community for people interested in building community 😊** **HOW IT WORKS:** The IRL SOCIAL is a place to meet and exchange ideas with fellow community builders in person. (The other dimension to CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING is a weekly online ‘VIRTUAL CAFE’, which is more focussed on workshopping ideas, challenges, and practices. You can find the first VIRTUAL CAFE [here](https://www.meetup.com/experimentsin/events/314425588).) The IRL SOCIAL is largely unstructured, but we will always have a theme or a prompt to get conversations going. **This time the theme is: AUTHENTICITY.** I will share a few related questions in the comments on the day. My working model of community building includes 4 stages: STARTING, BUILDING, SUSTAINING, and EVOLVING. (These are not linear, but cyclical because when your community reaches the ‘evolving’ stage, it's also ‘starting’ a new chapter.) Based on feedback from previous sessions, people sometimes find it useful to talk to others who are at the same stage as them, so I will give everyone the opportunity to organise in this way initially. (This is optional.) I will invite the group to shuffle around a couple of times so we don’t miss out on meeting a range of people. The rest of the evening will be unstructured space to: * Continue conversations * Discuss collaborations * Share tips * Get to know each other * Get to know about each others’ respective communities **NOTES ON THE GENERAL ATMOSPHERE:** * Laid back, light, fun * Respectful of each other's time, views, ideas * Generous listening and low pressure sharing **WHERE WE'LL MEET:** Due to unpredictable group sizes with free events, I’m going to start off with holding these socials in public spaces rather than booked rooms. This can comes with **an element of unpredictable London chaos (i.e. background noise, weather, etc.), so please be up for that if you decide to come along.** On this occasion, the plan is for us to meet at The Southbank Centre on Level 2, near the Festival Bar & Kitchen. If the weather is good, we might relocate outside. **I will let you know the exact location in the comments below on the day.** **WHO SHOULD COME:** Everyone with an interest in community. This group is not about being experts, it is about learning together. That is, bringing our various experiences and lenses on the world together to support, inspire, and uplift one another. The more perspectives, the richer the conversation. **YOUR HOST:** I'm Bonny. I've created a couple of successful communities (e.g. [THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS IN PUBS](https://www.meetup.com/thought-experiments-in-pubs) & [THE SUNRISE CLUB](https://www.meetup.com/the-sunrise-club/)) and have a lot of experience hosting groups in a range of places (from prison and hospitals, to private events). I'm always learning and my best ideas come out of conversations with others :-). You can read some of my thoughts on community building [here.](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) **One of my inspirations for community building is the Ancient Greek Goddess, Hestia:** Hestia is the goddess of the hearth (hence the former name for this group). She is also the goddess of community, hospitality towards strangers, home, and warmth. Known for her inner strength, calm demeanour, and commitment to peace, I think Hestia embodies qualities that can be very helpful when cultivating community! 🔥 **I’m curious to hear who/what your influences are 😊** [WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/HiRXL7B6QUpGAmZirk20kY?mode=wwc) \- stay in the loop [SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/) \- sign up for the newsletter I'm looking forward to meeting you and hearing your ideas! If you would like to further support these meetups, you can do so here: [https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor](https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor) Thank you!
The Blueprint
The Blueprint
Prime Time Over 50s – Penderels Oak, Holborn
Prime Time Over 50s – Penderels Oak, Holborn
Join the Prime Time Over 50s Social Group for a chilled out evening Following the success of our previous events, like the lively gathering at Oxford Circus, we would like to invite you to an evening that is perfect for mingling with like-minded individuals and making new friends and social connections. As you are aware this is a wetherspoons, so prices will be very reasonable
CLH Book Group 📚 Anywhere but Here by Nicola Kelly
CLH Book Group 📚 Anywhere but Here by Nicola Kelly
April's book: Anywhere but Here: How Britain's Broken Asylum System Fails us All by Nicola Kelly **What is it like to arrive on our shores with nothing and be pushed to the margins of society?** **Who stands to gain from an asylum system that is intentionally hostile?** *Anywhere But Here* is a powerful exposé of Britain’s broken asylum system and how it fails us all. Each year tens of thousands of people risk their lives to cross the Channel in small boats hoping to find safety in Britain. Yet the very system designed to protect them has all but collapsed. With unique and unparalleled access, award-winning journalist and former Home Office insider Nicola Kelly takes us behind the scenes of the small boats crisis for the first time. We follow the under-resourced coastguard overseeing search and rescue operations in the Channel. The decision-makers hired from McDonald’s and Aldi to conduct ‘life and death’ asylum interviews. The immigration barristers securing last-minute reprieves for deportees who narrowly escaped death. And we step inside the Home Office corridors as ministers and advisors respond to emerging crises and scandals, from Windrush to the Rwanda plan. At its heart are the stories of war-torn arrivals, lone teenagers and trafficked women attempting to settle in cities, towns and villages across the UK. We travel to meet them, exploring where they have fled from and why, and the response of local communities to their new neighbours. **Situated on the beaches and the ports, in the hotels, the courtrooms and the detention centres where the futures of those affected unfold, this is a searing investigation into one of the most urgent issues and shocking injustices of our time.** The meeting starts at 7:30. After starting the group, we will break up into small groups. Those familiar with the CLH Book Group meeting know how this works: in each group we take turns introducing ourselves and giving our 1 minute thoughts on the book. It's important not to go over a minute and not to interrupt other people's minute so that everyone gets a chance to participate. After this first round, each group discusses for another 20 minutes or so. We then shuffle the groups so as to talk to as many different people as possible and in the new groups repeat our introductions and 1 minute thoughts. We'll do this a couple of times before coming all together at the end in one last big group. While we are very social and welcoming, the book group's primary focus is on discussing books. Feel free to turn up if you haven't managed to finish this month's book but note that the group works best when we have all read at least half of the book and are prepared to share our opinions. *** £3 per person to attend. If it's your first time, come and try us out for free! If you prefer, you can [pay online, by clicking here](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZWCNRJ25BDL96). We encourage dialogue, debate and sharing of information on our site but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any views expressed here are those of the individual posting them and may not reflect those of CLH.

Intellectual Discussions Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

Philosophy in the Park 138 (outside St Giles Cripplegate)
Philosophy in the Park 138 (outside St Giles Cripplegate)
Philosophy in the Park is a philosophical discussion group. Open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary. We will meet outside St Giles Cripplegate. Here's how it works: * At the start of each hour vote on which questions to discuss. You can vote for more than one question if you'd like. The questions with the most votes are the questions we discuss. * We then break up into groups and each group does a different question. The question is just a starting point and it's cool if you go on tangents and up end talking about different things. You're welcome to join in and participate or if you'd prefer you're welcome to sit back and enjoy the conversation. After an hour we all come back together, take a quick break and then repeat all over again. So in 3 hours we go around 3 times. The aim is to have fun, meet new people, generate interesting and thought-provoking conversations, have your horizons expanded, challenge your preconceptions and who knows - you might even learn something? In order to make the conversations as fun, interesting and productive for everyone as possible please follow these simple guidelines: 1. Keep it Philosophical (No Science, no History, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, personal anecdotes etc). 2. Think for Yourself (No phones, no looking up definitions, no name dropping Philosophers / books you've read). 3. Tangents are Cool (Don't worry too much if the subject drifts and you don't answer the question). 4. Keep it Succinct (Like this). 5. Be Excellent to Each Other (But of course). Philosophy is about conceptual analysis. It's thinking about thinking. It's not about empiricism or the real world. It's about abstractions, concepts and ideas. To terms of the right attitude: It's not about debating and trying to win - it's about listening to people and working collaboratively to increase our collective understanding. No homework or prior knowledge or reading is necessary - simply come and enjoy the discussions. After the event finishes we have an area reserved in The Shakespeare pub which is just around the corner from the Barbican. You are very welcome to join us if you'd like. If you would like to submit a question please join the Whatsapp group. Question submissions take place on the Thursday before the meeting. We hope to see you there. Nice one. ... To join the Philosophy in the Park WhatsApp Group please click here: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CdFaxJHbeOw9UOfuk7spiK) (in order to stop spam bots this will take you to a Waiting Room. Once in please write your name and we will join you to the main chat). If the link doesn't work then please send me a message with your phone number and I can add you directly. Meetup charges subscription fees. If you would like to make a donation please click here: [https://paypal.me/philosophycollective](https://paypal.me/philosophycollective)
Practical Philosophy Club Meetup - London 🇬🇧
Practical Philosophy Club Meetup - London 🇬🇧
**🏛️ 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/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS), 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: * 13:45-14:00 - People arrive and chat, get to know each other before the ‘official' start. * 14:00-14:05 - 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. * 14:05-14:45 - 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. * 14:45 - We do a group conclusion of the things we discussed, and then we typically take a photo and go on our way :) If you don't want to be in the group photo, there's no pressure, it's just a way to close out the meeting. We occasionally have an unofficial social so the different groups can mingle afterwards too! **🧧PRICING?** Practical Philosophy Club is FREE to attend, and we operate on donations. If you'd like to donate to support our running costs, that helps keep our group self-sustaining. Donations are 100% voluntary, but your contribution is appreciated! QR codes to donate will be present. Tea’s and coffees and are paid by the individual should they wish to have them. **💛 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** * What will we talk about? What's the topic? The topic for the week is shared every week in the Whatsapp group before the session. We try to add the topic to the comment section on this event page as well but if you don’t see it, the topic and the jump-off points will be in our [Whatsapp](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS). * 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, but it's not required. * 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 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/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) 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 - Making Philosophy Available To All.** ✨ Practical Philosophy hosts weekly, in-person meetups in 25+ countries, including Canada, Spain, Japan, Mexico and many more! 🗺️ \*\*\* Join our [Whatsapp group](https://chat.whatsapp.com/B6fqS6HGujq8gb3a0kl5pS) 👈 Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/practicalphilosophyclub/?hl=en) 👈 Our [website](https://www.practicalphilosophy.club) 👈
Great Conversations with Friends at the Pub
Great Conversations with Friends at the Pub
We love a good chat. Come and join us at Table 45
Heartwarming by Hans Rocha Ijzerman
Heartwarming by Hans Rocha Ijzerman
In this event, we will discuss about a science or philosophy book chosen by London Science and Philosophy Book Club. The attendees will be divided into groups and each of them will focus on a chapter in the book. This month we will discuss about a fascinating book called Heartwarming by Hans Rocha Ijzerman. If you haven't read the book, it's no problem. I will bring you up to speed with the discussion materials. We will meet in a nice lounge area at 6 p.m for introductions. Please come on time so you will not miss out on valuable discussion midway. If you end up in the waitlist, feel free to show up. Book Description: A hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa is calming and comforting but how can holding a warm mug affect our emotions? In Heartwarming, social psychologist Hans Rocha IJzerman explores temperature through the long lens of evolution. Besides breathing, regulating body temperature is one of the most fundamental tasks for any animal. Like huddling penguins, we humans have long relied on one another to maintain our temperatures; over millennia, this instinct for thermoregulation has shaped our lives and culture. Temperature contributed to our evolution our upright walking, our loss of fur, and our big brains and now continues to affect our lives in unexpected ways, and the link from a warm mug to our emotions is anything but straightforward. Studies have shown, for example, that a chilly deliberation room can predispose a jury to convict and that a cold day can make us more likely to buy a house. Our mind-body connection works the other way, too: thinking about friendly or caring people can make us feel warmer. Understanding how we subconsciously strive to keep our temperature in an optimal range can help us in our relationships, jobs, and even in the world of social media. As IJzerman illuminates how temperature affects human sociality, he examines fascinating new questions: How will climate change impact society? Why are some people chronically cold, and others overheated? Can thermoregulation keep relationships closer, even across a distance? The answers offer new insights for all of us who want to better understand our bodies, our minds, and each other. Heartwarming takes readers on an engaging journey through the world, seen from the perspectives of coldness and warmth. Agenda: 6 p.m to 6:30 p.m: Introduction and Socializing 6:30 p.m to 9:30 p.m: Book Discussion 9:30 p.m to late night: Drinks, Dinner or Feel free to go home.
Addison Exiles Weekly Club Night
Addison Exiles Weekly Club Night
Welcome to our regular club night session for stronger intermediate level players and above! Sessions cost £10 for Members, and £11 for Non-Members; please contact an organiser to discuss becoming a Member. Session are held at: Twyford Sports Centre Twyford Crescent Acton W3 9PP We have 2 courts from 8pm to 10pm. Only high quality feather shuttlecocks are used. Shower/change room facilities are available. A water fountains is available outside the venue, though we recommend bringing your own water in case it is not available. We sometimes head to the local pub (The Red Lion & Pineapple) after the session, and all are welcome to join. **Payment Information** We accept either cash or bank transfer payment using the details below: Amount: £10 (Members) / £11 (Non-Members) Acc Name: The Addison Exiles Badminton Club Acc No: 50229160 Sort Code: 30-90-89 Reference: Your Name **RSVPs** Each session has 12 places, and a waitlist is available. Please be conscientious of players on the waitlist and change your RSVP if you can no longer attend. No shows will be charged in full. We reserve the right to turn away anyone who has previously not turned up and hasn’t paid. If you’re signing up to a session for the first time, please note that a committee member will assess your playing level and make a recommendation for future sessions. **Directions** Free parking is available on site, behind the main building. Bus options: 207, 218 Nearest National Rail Station: Acton Central Nearest Tube Station: Acton Town / Ealing Common We look forward to seeing you at the session!
Decentralised technology in a left libertarian society
Decentralised technology in a left libertarian society
Where are we now? Contemporary capitalism with its most extreme expression sometimes defined as "techno-feudalism" sees a concentration of power within massive digital platforms, resulting in extreme inequity and the erosion of democracy. What can we do about it? To counteract this extreme centralisation of wealth and power “Techno-Collectivism” is a governance model which integrates libertarian socialist principles with modern technology to manage digital infrastructure. It aims to counteract the systemic failures of neoliberal capitalism while avoiding the authoritarian pitfalls associated with historical socialist regimes. See article… [Link](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395850712_Techno-Collectivism_Scaling_Libertarian_Socialist_Governance_of_Digital_Infrastructure) Historical and Political Context… This article clarifies the distinctions between socialism, capitalism, and libertarianism, noting how "libertarianism" has been ideologically captured by right-wing market interests. It advocates returning to the original egalitarian, anti-capitalist, and anti-authoritarian roots of libertarian socialism. The framework is built upon three ethical principles: needs-based distributive justice, which prioritizes human care over profit; communal ownership, which grants control to those who use the resources; and citizen control, which ensures genuine and meaningful participation. How? Technological Implementation Tools To scale up these principles, open-source AI could be used for transparent resource planning as well as decentralized ownership and decision-making, decentralized social media platforms to facilitate federated, autonomous communities. Universities as Experimental Testbeds The authors propose universities as the ideal environments to pilot these sociotechnical experiments. By utilizing their existing intellectual capital and relative autonomy, academic institutions can lead the shift toward post-capitalist, anti-authoritarian governance models.
TEiP ON THE HOUSE • PORTOBELLO • SEASON 4 EPISODE 5: REVIVAL
TEiP ON THE HOUSE • PORTOBELLO • SEASON 4 EPISODE 5: REVIVAL
Our BIG FREE Friday night episode of Thought Experiments in Pubs. Join us to think (and imagine) out loud with an openminded group of people from all walks of life :-) This time we'll be talking about "REVIVAL" - an apt theme for May Day :-) We'll explore the theme using three **thought experiments** (posted in the comments below on the day of the event) **The aim of this meetup:** meet new people and have different, thought provoking conversations. You can get a sense of what the events and community are like **[here](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)**. **[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/D13LHw5BV3rEtUtO3ORklC)** \- stay in the loop **[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- reflections\, thought experiments\, newsletter **[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- what we look like **How we'll do it** (timings approximate)**:** * **6:30** \- Arrive at the pub\, find us in the dining room * Organise ourselves into small groups (4-7ish...recent research finding: apparently 4 is the best number for a good conversation!) * Have a look at the thought experiments (posted here on the day of the event) * **6:45** \- First rotation begins \- Talk about the first thought experiment\. If you don’t want to talk about that one\, move on to another one\. Feel free to veer off topic\. * **7:10** \- Optional shuffle: swap groups\, move on to the second thought experiment\. * **7:35** \- Optional shuffle: swap groups\, move on to the third thought experiment\. * **8:00** \- Wrap up \- hear about upcoming events\, join the whatsapp group\, give feedback/requests for future meetups\. * **8:05** -Organised part of the meetup ends, feel free to carry on conversations :-) **Notes on the general atmosphere:** * The vibe is to let conversation flow rather than stick strictly to one topic. * While we'd like to talk about 'meaningful things', we also see the value in lighter topics, so don't worry about not being 'deep' enough! * Feel free to suggest ideas for future episodes of Thought Experiments in Pubs, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss. **Where we'll meet:** This group will be at the Earl of Lonsdale Pub on Portobello. The nearest Tube station is Notting Hill Gate. **Who should come:** Everyone! We believe that the more perspectives, the richer the conversation. This group is not about being experts in Philosophy, it is about *doing* philosophy. That is, bringing our various life experiences and lenses on the world to group discussions about the human experience, the nature of reality... etc. etc.... Looking forward to meeting & talking with you! If you would like to support me & these meetups with a donation, you can do so here: https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor Thank you! #everyonewelcome #newideas #newpeople #inclusivity #openmindedness

Intellectual Discussions Events Near You

Connect with your local Intellectual Discussions community

Duty vs. Results: What Makes an Action Moral?
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?
COUNT Discussion Meeting: Topic: Current Events
COUNT Discussion Meeting: Topic: Current Events
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.
Franklinton Arts District Second Fridays Meet @ One Line Coffee, 471 W. Rich St.
Franklinton Arts District Second Fridays Meet @ One Line Coffee, 471 W. Rich St.
Let’s meet, wander the exhibits and open galleries, and enjoy an evening out in the Franklinton Arts District. (Nearby pay parking is available in the garage on McDowell, right around the corner from One Line Coffee, and, past it along the curb as McDowell dead ends.)
Sunday Brunch
Sunday Brunch
Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!
Libera Animae - Freeing the Soul
Libera Animae - Freeing the Soul
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.
Investing & Personal Finance Meeting
Investing & Personal Finance Meeting
If you are interested in selecting investment choices for your 401(k) or other workplace savings plan, minimizing your income tax liability, or identifying the most effective investments for your brokerage account, we are the group for you. We are a local chapter of Bogleheads, whose investment strategy can be found here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy Or you can peruse the Boglehead forum here: https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php I look forward to seeing you there. Mark Vonder Haar