Libertarian Anarchism
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Libertarian Anarchism Events Today
Join in-person Libertarian Anarchism events happening right now
The Transparent “I”: Film Screening & Panel Discussion
As part of an ongoing effort to reframe how its collection is activated and interpreted, [RAI FILM](https://raifilm.org.uk/) invited [KONTEKST Collective](https://www.kontekstcollective.com/) to develop an independent curatorial response to its film catalogue.
**[The Transparent “I”: Authority and Authorship in Anthropological Filmmaking](https://raifilm.org.uk/events/the-transparent-i-authority-and-authorship-in-anthropological-filmmaking/)** brings together films that interrogate authority and authorship in ethnographic representation. The programme curated by KONTEKST Collective will feature the shorts *Wási* (2017), *All Eyez on Me!* (2021), *A Family Portrait* (2022), and *Making Worlds Otherwise* (2020). Through reflexive approaches and formal experimentation, these films invite the audience to think over the processes in which they were made, looking beyond common perspectives within the discipline.
The screening will be followed by a conversation with members of the KONTEKST Collective, moderated by Lee Douglas (Centre for Visual Anthropology, Goldsmiths).
**BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE > [https://ticketlab.app/series/2610#/](https://ticketlab.app/series/2610#/)**
Soulful Chats Meetup for Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs Community
**Join Us For Soulful Chats #28**
Join us monthly at Soulful Chats where we come together as a community of like-hearted and like-minded people for meaningful conversations.
**Each month we have a topic of discussion and take it from there as a group.** **We keep things friendly, relaxed and joyful. We make new connections, listen, inspire and elevate each other.**
**Date:** Thursday 23rd April 2026
**Time:** 18:00 - 19:30
**Location:** Hazev Canary Wharf- Cafe Section
Discovery Dock Apartments West, 2 S Quay Square, London E14 9RT
**Values of the meet up**: Community, Curiosity, Compassion, Generosity, Acceptance, Oneness
***We talk about all things elevating and uniting, such as:***
* *Health and wellbeing*
* *Purpose*
* *Passions*
* *Spirituality*
* *Supporting and serving our community*
* *Helping others*
* *Remaining hopeful*
***We don’t talk about anything divisive, for example:***
* *Politics*
* *Religion*
* *Wars*
Whether you're looking to share your thoughts, gain new perspectives, or simply enjoy the company of others, Soulful Chats Meetup is the place to be.
**Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet inspiring individuals and expand your network.**
**Let your soul be heard!**
SOLD OUT • TEiP BATTERSEA • HAWKINS FORGE • S1E3: MAKING
Did you know that our lovely venue, HAWKINS FORGE, used to be a blacksmith's forge?
At this episode we'll be discussing all '**MAKING'**, by way of three original thought experiments.💭
As well as being a former hub of 'making', Hawkins Forge embodies our values: warm, welcoming, convivial, and a home to deep thinkers.
The pub has boardgames and cards for the after party, and they’ve also **kindly offered us a deal on their Arrowsmiths Darts experience**: **30 minutes free for anyone who buys a drink after the event**.
Spaces are limited, so get your ticket early if you want to be there 😊
**THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS** \- announced on the day of the event
**[WHATSAPP GROUP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DapwAXpnOHO5DRYThobpe4)** \- stay in the loop
**[INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/thoughtexperimentsinpubs/)** \- see what we look like \(including The People of TEiP project\)
**[SUBSTACK](https://experimentsingroupwisdom.substack.com/)** \- sign up for the newsletter and more
**The idea:** A chance to meet and talk meaningfully about thought provoking topics.
**How we'll do it** (timings approximate):
* 7:00pm - Arrive at Hawkins Forge. We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us.
* Organise ourselves into small groups (3-4)
* Have a look at the **thought experiments** (announced on the day of the event)
* 7:15 - First rotation begins - Talk about the first thought experiment, but feel free to pursue tangents and anecdotes.
* 7:35 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the second thought experiment.
* 8:00 - Optional reshuffle: swap groups, move on to the third thought experiment.
* 8:25pm - Wrap up - hear about upcoming events, feedback/requests for future meetups.
* 8:30 Meetup ‘ends’. But feel free to carry on conversations. Usually a lot of us stay until late :-)
**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 Thought Experiments in Pubs meetup groups, both in terms of structure and topics to discuss.
**Where we'll meet**:
This group will be at Hawkins Forge, 5 minutes walk from Clapham Junction. We'll be in the private dining room - ask at the bar if you can't find us.
**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....
I'm so looking forward to meeting & talking with you in this beautiful location :-)
If you would like to further support these meetups, you can do so here: [https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor](https://buymeacoffee.com/bonnyastor)
Thank you!
🏐Wapping Cheetahs Volleyball Social📍Canary Wharf📶Upper Ability
**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/47804
**Game Description:**
Upper-intermediate mixed volleyball session, including an initial warm-up followed by games.
This session is for experienced players only (not beginners or those returning after a long break).
If possible, we will play at least one team with a 5-1 formation.
If you are interested in joining our team, please follow our Instagram (@wappingcheetahsvb) for the latest tryout information.
**Rules**
2 hours playing games
6 Players/ Team (18 players max)
15 points
5:1 Rotations or Social Rotation
Code of conduct:
1\. Show respect to all players
2\. Focus on your own performance and improvement
3\. Be supportive—encourage and cheer for your teammates
4\. Maintain a positive and sportsmanlike attitude
2hr Thursday Night 🏀 Basketball in Canary Wharf 🔥
Join our weekly social basketball run, full court 5 v 5 with 1 sub on each team, all levels welcome!
Please join this game using the free GameOn Active app ([download here](https://gameonactive.co.uk/connect.html)) which is a free app we use to organise the run.
Crossharbour Montessori Day Nursery is 1 min walk from Crossharbour DLR station.
On arrival, please let reception know that you are there for a basketball session and you will be let through, at the courts please ask for Konstantinos. We look forward to balling with you there!
Mystic of the Month
An experimental session exploring a different mystic from Eastern and Western spirituality, and spiritual practices inspired by their lives. This month, we will go on a spiritual journey, discovering the philosophy, poetry and music by Mirabai and St Teresa of Avila.
Heartspaces at Essex Hall is a vibrant and welcoming Unitarian hub in central London, open to spiritual seekers, existing Unitarians and curious newcomers. The Heartspaces programme is a series of weekly spiritual gatherings led by Unitarian ministers and volunteers across London. From regular pagan ceremonies to the spirituality events every Thursday evening, Heartspaces encourages people to gather, share and discover together. Whether you are a seasoned Unitarian, a spiritual searcher or simply curious, find your space to grow.
Libertarian Anarchism Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Let's Discuss... Normlessness!
Within the last century, society and technology have changed rapidly. We have built tools to expand our reach, to build connections face to face and virtually, as well as tools to destroy each other. Technology is being built to engage needs we don't fully understand, often before the consequences of doing so are known. Examples could be the making and consumption of social media and pornographic content, or the rapid development of AI tools and companion at the detriment of work and social wellbeing.
Who benefits when you don't know what normal looks like?
If everyone does whatever feels right, is that freedom or just chaos with good PR?
If you get to choose your own values, are you really choosing, or just rationalising what you already wanted?
Is the real problem the speed of change, or that we never had great norms to begin with?
As family, religion, and work weaken as institutions, what fills the normative vacuum, and is it enough?
You may like this short video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICRECGVsaRo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICRECGVsaRo)
\*Please do your own research and share resources related to this topic in the comment section\*
#======# Donation!
Thank you for being a member. I have made a donation page for those who want to help with the costs.
[https://examinedlife.uk/donation/](https://examinedlife.uk/donation/)
#======# Group chat
We have a telegram group chat and here is a link for the front door:
[https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk](https://t.me/+o9T9DL5u6AcwMmRk)
#======#
The Examined Life, "Let's Discuss..." session is an open discussion.
The format of this event will be:
13:15 - Free flow group discussion about the topic.
14:00 ish - We will be splitting into smaller groups for more engaging discussion about what interests each of you.
16:00 - End of the official meetup. Most often attendees stay and continue discussing up to around 18:00.
#======#
Please RSVP if you can commit to attending and change your RSVP if something comes up. Inaccurate RSVPs can keep potential attendees on the waiting list and makes it difficult to plan for room sizes and bookings.
Art work: View of the Venetian Lagoon with the Tower of Malghera 1770s by
Francesco Guardi
London Philosophy Collective Symposium / The Paradox of Fiction
An open participation philosophical discussion. No previous philosophical experience necessary
Please follow the stated guidelines
This is a Philosophical Discussion hosted by Joel Janiurek.
We shall be discussing The Paradox of Fiction.
This event is open to all. No previous philosophical experience necessary.
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?
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.
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 Sociology, no Evolutionary Psychology, no contestable facts, no personal anecdotes).
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).
We hope to see you there
Canal Walk - Angel to Victoria Park Cafe / Market
We will enjoy a leisurely walk (approx 45 mins - 1 hour) along Regent's Canal from Angel station and ending at the fabulous Victoria Park Market. This event usually runs on the 4th Sunday of each month, unless there is bad weather or exceptional circumstances. We are a welcoming group, so feel free to mix around and say hello other people.
There is a wondering food market in Victoria Park, and most of us will get something to eat together. We usually sit on the grass or public benches (if available) near the Bonner Gate entrance, behind the Dogs of Alcibiades statue. This is at the intersection of foodstalls running north/south and east/west. If it is raining or the market is closed, we can either go to the Pavillion cafe, or The Crown pub on Grove Road instead.
Please note a few points:
1\. There is currently no charge for this group\. I will need to review this again later in 2026\.
2\. WE WILL WAIT ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER THE START TIME\. If you are running late\, please catch us up along the canal\. Please note\, I will not be checking for meetup or whatsapp messages after the walk starts\.
3\. The nearest tube station to Victoria Park is Bethnal Green station \(central line\)\. Please check Google Maps or similar\.
4\. You are responsible for yourselves on the walk\, so please bring appropriate footwear etc\. Please be mindful of those around you\, especially where the canal gets narrow in places\.
Whatsapp group here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJd6MJfVDPC6jUw6iW77ZY
Previously, there was a separate walk on the 3rd Sunday of the month, which started at Limehouse Basin, and then ran along the same canal to Victoria Park. Please note, the walks starting from Limehouse on the 3rd Sunday of the month are now cancelled for the foreseeable future.
Yoga & World View
**£10 CASH FOR YOGA / £10 CASH FOR WORLD VIEW - payable on the door**
**Bitcoin discount [HERE](https://btcpay.btc.aw/apps/rvvVwGSSSiJ7UgtzjmBdxy1Uq6a/pos)**
Join Storm and Miss Banks for another mind/body session at Cyphermunk House.
Yoga starts at 11am - please bring your own mat. Munk Brunch follows at Ana's Deli from 12pm. The World View sessions starts at 1:30pm.
Promotional activities related to altcoins not permitted.
No unsolicited photograhy.
Peace and love.
🏐 Volleyball Games 📍Canary Wharf 📶 Mid Intermediate
**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/47762
**Game Description:**
Intermediate Mixed Volleyball Games 🏐
Come get some quality court time with structured play and plenty of reps! We’ll have a minimum of 6 balls we ready, so no waiting around for touches—you’ll get plenty of swings, passes, and sets.
We kick things off with about 30 minutes of warm-up drills (hitting lines, passing, serving, and maybe a few fun variations) to get everyone moving and dialed in. After that, we’ll jump into full games—fast, competitive, but always friendly.
This session is intermediate level: you should be comfortable with the basics (serving, passing, hitting, and rotations). Expect good rallies, steady tempo, and a chance to sharpen your skills while still keeping it social.
Come ready to play, improve, and have fun with a great group of teammates!
**Rules**
FIVB Rule Set
Practical Philosophy 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) 👈
Libertarian Anarchism Events Near You
Connect with your local Libertarian Anarchism community
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.
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!
Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup (4th Tues)
Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :)
This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us.
COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.
***
Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'!
Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life.
Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio.
Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision.
Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge.
Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ).
Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup (1st Tues)
Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room.
This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us.
COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.
Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'!
Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life.
Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio.
Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision.
Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge.
Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ).
This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us.
Rays Of Light Spiritualist Church Service
Rev. Steven Clevenger is an ordained spiritualist minister with over 40 years experience as a Spiritual Healer, Clairvoyant and Spiritual Teacher, educated and trained at the White Lily Chapel.
Rev. Siobhan Wolf Shaffer is an ordained spiritualist minister and certified medium and healer with over 20 years experience. She began her development in 1988 in Pennsylvania and continued when she moved to Ohio in 1998 where she studied at Rays of Lights Church with Rev. Steven Clevenger.
Our full worship services consist of an inspirational lecture, healing meditation, and messages from the spirit world that serve to demonstrate evidence of eternal life.
Please visit our Official Church Website (http://raysoflightchurch.com) for more information.
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?






















