Libertarian
Meet Libertarians near you! Come to a local Libertarian Meetup to share your opinions on today's political climate and issues and learn how you can contribute to America's political future. Everyone interested in Libertarianism is welcome!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out libertarian events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the libertarian events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find libertarian events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Libertarian Events Today
Join in-person Libertarian events happening right now
Berlin Ethereum Meetup
We're thrilled to welcome you to the Berlin Ethereum Meetups!
Join us as we explore technical and non-technical topics and new ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect and grow our community! Our meetups are open to all - from those new to Ethereum to long-standing community members and developers.
đď¸ **Agenda** *(subject to change)*
đ 6:30 - 6:45 pm - Arrivals
đĄ 6:45 - 7:00 pm - Ecosystem & Community Updates by Eniko (Ethereum Foundation)
đĄ 7:00 - 7:20 pm - Building a Truly Trustless Ethereum Wallet for Android by Dirk Jäckel (independent developer)
*Every Ethereum wallet you've ever used secretly trusts a server, and they all silently query centralized RPC providers. This talk presents a different approach: an Android wallet library that eliminates the RPC dependency entirely.*
đ 7:20 pm - 9:00 pm - Open discussions and community networking
đŠâđť Full Node is also excited to offer free coworking for all event attendees on the day of the meetup, starting from 9:00am. Feel free to come by Glogauer Str. 6 early and get some work done!
Berlin is one of the most vibrant hubs for Ethereum builders, researchers, and advocates of privacy, decentralization, and open-source technology. Whether youâre here to learn, contribute, or simply connect, join us as we continue building the next chapter of Ethereum in Berlin.
The talks will be recorded and uploaded to our [Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@ethereumberlin). Subscribe to stay up to date!
Apply to speak at our future meetups: [Speaker Application](https://forms.gle/5y9Y5ywZC7pSEqpV9)!
The event is sponsored by [Gnosis](https://www.gnosis.io/).
To learn more about Ethereum, go to [ethereum.org](http://ethereum.org/) (content available in many different languages).
Berlin Founders Meetup (powered by Holvi)
âJoin Berlin's biggest networking event for early stage founders in Berlin - powered by Holvi! đ
â ď¸ **Important**: You need to follow these steps if you want to join the event:
1. Please RSVP on Meetup
2. **AND** apply through [this link](https://luma.com/55eh83ut) for the event
3. Only if you are officially approved (you will receive an e-mail), you are eligible for the event
âGet out of your own well-known Community and connect with other founders at Berlin's new place to be: The Delta!
âđ Food & Drinks on us!
â° Open Doors from 5:30 pm, official start at 6:30 pm (please don't miss the official start!)
âThis quarterly gathering brings together founder communities across the city, led by HAUS OF STARTUPS and The Delta.
ââšď¸ This is not another boring meetup. It is a moderated networking experience designed to help you actually connect and support each other to move forward together!
âMeet founders from different Incubators and Accelerators â and maybe you will also find a program suitable for your next step:
* â**Berlin Startup School**: Sidepreneurship programs from idea to first investment (and a new [AI readiness program](https://www.berlinstartupschool.com/aigrowthprogram?utm_source=luma))
* **NXT LVL ACCELERATOR**: 10-week program for early stage Impact Founders (more info [here](https://nxtlx.de/en/?utm_source=luma))
* **SIBB Incubator**: 10-months stipend for ideas around Cybersecurity, resilient society and a livable digital future (more info [here](https://sibb.de/incubator/))
* **Avant Now**: Backing impact-tech startups with up to âŹ120k equity-free funding. (current call: majority female-led teams, apply [here](https://www.avant-now.com/?utm_source=luma))
* **MotionLab.Berlin**: 9-months Accelerator taking the top early-stage hardtech founders from idea to market-readiness with full access to the MotionLab.Berlin Makerspace and a monthly stipend (more info [here](https://motionlab.berlin/apply/))
â...and many more from Grace Accelerator, Founder Institute, Vali Berlin and Young Founders Network.
âBecause of the size of the venue, the spots are limited. So we kindly ask you to only apply for a seat, if you are an **early stage founder**! (Strictly founders, no service providers, no corporates, etc!
âAbout our sponsor, **Holvi**:
[Holvi](https://www.holvi.com/de-en/lp/haus-of-startup/) is your smart business account that helps you manage your finances, so you can focus on what really matters: your business. With up to 10 IBANs, intuitive accounting tools, and seamless integrations like DATEV and sevdesk, Holvi keeps everything under control. Plus, you can now earn returns on your capital and organise multiple accounts for total financial clarity. *Claim your 3 free months exclusively [here](https://www.holvi.com/de-en/lp/haus-of-startup/)!*
âAbout our co-host, **The Delta Campus**:
[The Delta Campus](https://thedelta.io/berlin/welcome?utm_source=luma) is Berlinâs curated workspace and community hub for founders, builders, and creatives. More than just a co-working space, it is the home of The Deltaâs venture ecosystem, a physical place for exchange, collaboration, and scalable growth. This is where ventures, investors, and innovators come together to create real impact. *You want to sit with us? Get 20% off with the code "HAUS20".*
About us, **HAUS OF STARTUPS**:
"[HAUS](https://hausofstartups.com/?utm_source=luma)" organizes moderated networking events for early stage founders. In addition to that, we offer a platform with everything you need to level-up your startup journey: from discounts for tools, free tickets for events â or you just ask the Community for a recommendation and you will find help! *It's free!*
â
We are more than excited to see you and to make sure you make great connections!
*This event is supported by "Berlin Partner", the business development agency of the State of Berlin. Supporting startups on their way to Berlin, but also in their development, offering free individual services and working closely with all important public institutions! Reach out via "[Startup Berlin](https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/startup-berlin/?viewAsMember=true)".*
Tackling Imperfect Data Environments via Robust and Explainable AI
**Join us for our next Machine Learning in Healthcare meetup in Berlin â proudly sponsored by the QUEST Centre!**
Pizza is still back!
Yes, we fought for it in 2025, and we continue to do so in 2026. Come hungry.
We are very happy to announce our speaker **Prof. GrĂŠgoire Montavon**, who is a Professor at CharitĂŠ Universitätsmedizin Berlin at the Institute of AI in medicine (IKIM) and a Research Group Lead in the Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data (BIFOLD). He received a Master's degree in Communication Systems from the Ăcole Polytechnique FĂŠdĂŠrale de Lausanne in 2009 and a Ph.D. in Machine Learning from the Technische Universität Berlin in 2013.
His research focuses on methods and applications of Explainable AI (XAI). A particular goal is to develop approaches that integrate well with state-of-the-art machine learning (ML) models used in medical diagnosis and research, so that these models can be verified and explored for insights.
**His talk´s title is:**
**Tackling Imperfect Data Environments via Robust and Explainable AI**
**Abstract:** In this talk, I will present novel techniques for learning in imperfect data environments, specifically addressing challenges such as mislabeling and spurious correlations. Central to these new approaches is the design of new loss functions and Explainable AI techniques that can isolate artifact-inducing components during or after training, allowing them to be systematically removed from the final model.
***
đ **Location:** âAtriumâ conference room, 5th floor, Spreepalais, Anna-Louisa-Karsch-StraĂe 2, 10178 Berlin
đ **Doors open at 6:00 pm** â Talks start **at 7:00 pm!**
* 6:00â7:00 pm â Arrival, food, and networking
* 7:00 pm â Welcome by the hosts, followed by the talk + Q&A
* 8:00 pm â More networking (and possibly more pizza)
â ď¸ *Pro tip:* Sometimes only one of the four elevators is working!
đ˘ **IMPORTANT:** If you RSVP but later realize you canât make it, *please release your spot* so others can join.
***
This meetup is made possible with the kind support of the **QUEST Centre for Responsible Research at BIH**, who are providing both the venue and the delicious refreshments.
We look forward to seeing you there!x
SHORT NOTICE: Build Faster, Fund Smarter. With Adeo Ressi. Founder of FI
A lunchtime conversation with the man who built the world's largest startup accelerator
What separates the founders who break through from those who don't? In 2026, the answer increasingly comes down to one thing: how you wield AI. The rules of company-building are being rewritten â faster than most founders realize. AI isn't just a productivity tool anymore. It's compressing the timeline from idea to product, from product to funding, from funding to scale. The founders who understand this shift aren't working harder. They're working smarter, faster, and with leverage that simply didn't exist before. There are few people better positioned to unpack what this means for founders than Adeo Ressi. He's spent over 15 years obsessing over one question: what does it actually take to build a successful startup
What You'll Learn
- The AI-native founder playbook â How top founders are using AI as a co-founder
- From zero to funded, faster
- The rewired venture ecosystem â How AI is changing what investors look for and how capital is being deployed
- Live Q&A â An open, candid conversation. Bring your hardest questions!
Additional Resources
Find more Startup Events, learn about Finding a Co-Founder, or visit our Insights Blog for more startup tips
About Founder Institute
The Founder Institute is the worldâs most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 8,900 entrepreneurs raise over 2BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide
Rust Berlin Talks: The next generation
Hello everyone,
After a great restart last month, weâre happy to invite you to the next Rust Berlin meetup at the JetBrains office.
Weâll stick to the classic format: an evening with two main talks, followed by time to connect, discuss, and catch up with the community. Finger food and drinks will be available throughout the evening.
**Agenda**
* Doors open: 18:30
* Start: 19:00
* Short welcome and updates from JetBrains
* 2 talks (20â30 minutes each)
* Open mic / lightning talks (optional, a few minutes each)
* Networking
**Speakers**
Egor Lebedev - Welcome and a short note from the RustRover team
Till Adam - Slint-MCP
In this talk, Till will walk you through the implementation of the MCP server for the Slint GUI framework - and how it's implemented in Rust. He will walk you through the implementation from design to implementation.
Gaurav Gahlot - Rust meets Kubernetes
This talk is a hands-on walkthrough using kube-rs. We'll connect to a cluster, query pods, watch real-time events via async streams, and build a minimal controller - all in Rust, all running live.
**Speaker Bios**
Till Adam is the CCO at KDAB and has been working on open-source since the 90s. Originally a C++ company, KDAB has been working with Rust for the last 8 years. One of their biggest projects is CXX-Qt. Their specialization on the Rust side is use in hybrid, high-performance, high-correctness codebases.
Gaurav Gahlot is a Software Engineer with experience building scalable platforms with Go, Rust, and Kubernetes. He maintains the CNCF Akri project and actively contributes to open source.
**Open mic & future talks**
Weâll reserve a few short slots for anyone who wants to share something with the group. This can be a quick idea, a project, or an experience. Slides are optional.
If youâre interested in giving a longer talk at a future meetup, this is also a good opportunity to connect with the organizers.
**Venue & access**
Please arrive on time. We will have someone at the entrance to let people in between 18:30 and 19:15. After that, access becomes more difficult as the doors are locked and require manual opening.
**Registration**
The venue has limited capacity and events typically fill up with a waiting list. If you register and can no longer attend, even at short notice, please un-RSVP so someone else can take your spot.
Looking forward to seeing you all!
Become a Landlord/lady. Werde Vermieter/in.
We make landladies and landlords. They buy a flat and pay just 1/4. 3/4 come from tax cuts and tenants. It's not a trick. It's government policy. All German Federal Governments, past and present, of whichever party, want taxpayers to become landlords and -ladies, buy property, rent it out to tenants and enjoy passive income later.
Come here and find out. No strings attached. No sales. Just a meet and greet for orientation.
Wir machen Vermieter. Steuerzahler kaufen eine Wohnung und zahlen dafĂźr nur 1/4. Mieter und Finanzamt zahlen 3/4. Das ist kein Trick. Das ist Politik: Alle Bundesregierungen wollen, dass Steuerzahler Vermieter werden, Wohnungen kaufen, Mieter reinnehmen und später BetonâRente bekommen. Info-Abend nur zur Orientierung. Kucken kostet nichts.
S,U Bahnhof Zoo, KantstraĂe 163-165, 10623 Berlin,
Motel One Upper West, 10th floor, turn left,
circumvent the sign "vorĂźbergehend geschlossen"
Go justs there. I'll be there. Georg Holzach. 0177 8181 900 WhatsApp
Text-First. Make AI Great Already.
Bitte via Mail anmelden: anmeldung@gedoplan.de
**Referent:** Martin BoĂlet, Berater, Dozent und Softwareentwickler
**Datum und Uhrzeit:** Donnerstag, 30.04.2026, 18:00 â ca. 19:30 Uhr
**Ort:** Online mit Zoom
Seit zwei Jahren reden alle Ăźber KI-gestĂźtzte Entwicklung - und vieles klingt gleich: Gestern war Prompt Engineering der Beruf der Zukunft, heute ist es Context Engineering. Claude Code gegen Codex, GitHub Copilot vs. Cursor, Tool-Vergleiche hier und da. Die Ălteren unter uns werden sich mit einem Schmunzeln an Vim vs. Emacs erinnert fĂźhlen. Während CEOs bis hin zum Digitalminister den Untergang der programmierenden Zunft ausrufen, wenden sich viele Entwickelnde frustriert ab. "Das ist nichts fĂźr mich" - diesen Satz hĂśrt man oft. Die Branche scheint sich in zwei Lager zu spalten: auf der einen Seite diejenigen, die KI fast schon aus Trotz konsequent ablehnen, auf der anderen KI-Propheten, die zumindest der Erzählung nach ihren kompletten Alltag mit KI bestreiten und der Konkurrenz schon längst meilenweit voraus sind.
Die eigentliche Frage lautet: Warum gehen die Erfahrungen so weit auseinander? Die These dieses Vortrags: Der Engpass liegt meist weder im Modell noch im nächsten "Tool du jour", sondern in fehlendem, verstreutem oder nur implizit vorhandenem Kontext. Der Schlßssel zu erfolgreicher KI-Zusammenarbeit liegt deshalb nicht in besseren Tools oder clevereren Prompts, sondern in der ältesten Technologie der Menschheit - Sprache. Genauer gesagt: in Markdown als universeller Schnittstelle zwischen Mensch und Maschine.
Anhand von Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), Mermaid-Diagrammen, **[AGENTS.md](https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=http%3A%2F%2FAGENTS%2Emd&urlhash=jh-H&mt=F7bnie71WnYrGR3aD-BiSMeaQCiWniKDxaG65SbBgq37lq5u7OZ1P6NjRp-YTlrvhyBy30Lf47AWfYCmtVLwNg99MBUc-2e8qYUzQLXNViKKD4LeW5gizS3yWw&isSdui=true)**-Datei und Agenten-Skills zeige ich, warum Text-First Development kein Retro-Trick ist, sondern ein praktikables Arbeitsmodell fĂźr die KI-Ăra. Wer Architektur, Entscheidungen und Konventionen in Text statt in Tickets, Chat-Verläufen oder auch nur an der Kaffeemaschine festhält, bekommt bessere KI-Ergebnisse, mehr Präzision und weniger Nacharbeit. Und ganz nebenbei entsteht endlich wieder etwas, das in der Softwareentwicklung jahrzehntelang zu teuer war: aktuelle, brauchbare Dokumentation fĂźr Mensch und Maschine.
Kein Talk Ăźber Prompt-Hacks, Tool-Vergleiche oder das Tool der Woche, sondern Ăźber eine einfache, praktische Frage: Wie mĂźssen wir Software bauen, damit KI-UnterstĂźtzung nicht nur beeindruckend wirkt, sondern dauerhaft nĂźtzt? Die Antwort ist Ăźberraschend einfach: kein Tool-Zirkus, kein Hokuspokus. Einfach nur Text.
Nach Ihrer Anmeldung schicken wir Ihnen den Anmeldelink zu.
Libertarian Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Fine Ethnic Cuisine - the Peruvian adventure
Most of us would know peruvian cuisine for its famous civeche, but there're actually lots more delicious seafood, meat and vegetable dishes to discover. This is a small delightful restaurant serving refined peruvain cuisine with an impressive wine list.
Please do not sign up unless you are sure to attend.
Late cancellations or no shows will be deleted from the group immediately.
Coworking at Alexanderplatz
Today we are working in a beautiful location at Alexanderplatz with desks, power sockets, free WiFi, available food/drinks and air conditioning. We will be working on the second floor of the building with a beautiful view of the Fernsehturm.
NOTE: We don't share the venue location publicly. Find out where it is by joining our Telegram chat group: **[https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly)**
đ´ Tired of working by yourself?
đĄď¸ Too hot or too cold to work at home?
đŤ Contents of your fridge or the laundry distracting you?
đť Come join other freelancers and remote workers for coworking!
âď¸ There are no membership requirements, free WiFi, some power sockets, a large desk, some affordable coffee, toasted sandwiches and drinks!
â° We'll be there from the start time, but feel free to stop by any time.
⢠WHAT TO BRING â˘
Whatever you need to work on your own project / tasks :)
⢠QUESTIONS? â˘
Join our Telegram chat group to ask any questions:
[https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly)
⢠MORE EVENTS? â˘
To have more events, we need more organisers. If you would like to help out, please get in touch [đ](https://emojipedia.org/grinning-face/)
KIRTAN MUSIC Meditation ⢠Berlin
Itâs a time to sit in a circle of friends and sing mantras from the heart. Let these sounds soothe both the mind and the heart.
During this evening, youâll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sounds of yoga and discover a sense of inner peace. Our session offers a gentle chance to slow down, find harmony, and reconnect with the depths of your heartđ§Ą
Live music will make the evening even more enchanting. đľWeâll use acoustic instruments that help you relax and fill the space with a peaceful, nurturing atmosphere.
As the session unfolds, weâll naturally flow into a soft kirtan meditation â the beautiful culmination of this shared journey.
To end the evening with care, weâll offer warm tea and a sweet treatâď¸
You are warmly welcome! Donât hesitate â join us for this unique inner journey â¨
đ When: Every Friday
đ Time: 8:00 PM
đ Location: Rigaer Str. 25, Berlin (Yogicescape)
Founders Running Club :: Berlin
**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacerâpets, friends, family, are welcome.
đď¸ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022
đ Now in 35+ cities
đ
Running + Networking events + Community
**Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats)
**Stay updated**:
Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/)
Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/)
LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/)
Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC)
Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)
Creative Code Stammtisch
**â DOORS OPEN AT 19:30. PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE 8PM! â**
The Creative Code Stammtisch is a casual show-and-tell for artists, makers, designers, coders, performers, learners and anyone interested in the use of computing skills for artistic expression.
The event is free and open to all, regardless of age, origin, gender or experience. Beginners and first-timers should feel especially welcome! You don't have to be a coder yourself đ
HOW TO FIND US?
Find Prachtsaal Studio by crossing the courtyard next to Cafe Augusta on Jonasstr. 22, 12053 Berlin.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT?
We start with quick introductions, then open the floor to anyone who wants to present something. There are usually around six 10-minute slots available, plus time for questions from the audience. First-timers are encouraged to share their work.
Topics range from net art to computational design and interactive installations all the way to wearable electronics or generative poetry. If youâre wondering whether your own project might fit, take a look at the [Stammtisch archive](https://creativecodeberlin.github.io/Stammtisch/) to see what others have shared in the past.
This event is *not* just for coders! New-media artists and anyone working with technology in their art are very welcome to share. If you enjoy art and/or technology, youâll likely have a great time, and maybe even learn something new!
BEGINNERS WELCOME!
If youâre new to creative coding, you can find beginner-friendly resources at [creativecode.berlin/learn](https://creativecode.berlin/learn).
THIS IS YOUR SPACE
We do our best to create a welcoming environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. People from group generally underrepresented in open-source, art, and technology fields are warmly encouraged to come by. And if you know someone who might enjoy this meetup but isnât sure itâs for them, let them know theyâll be welcome!
SAFE SPACE POLICY
We support the Berlin Code of Conduct:
[berlincodeofconduct.org](http://berlincodeofconduct.org/)
Please read and make sure you agree with its content.
ACCESSIBILITY
Prachtsaal Studio is located on an easy to access ground floor. We're very sorry to say that the bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible yet.
DO I NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN?
We speak mostly English so international guests are more than welcome! Our team also speaks French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish and German... though language availability may vary depending on which organizers are present :)
CONTACT
RaphaĂŤl de Courville
team@creativecode.berlin
+49 (0) 176 70070572
or get in touch via [creativecode.berlin](https://creativecode.berlin/)
***
The featured artwork of the month is by https://www.instagram.com/ii_v.i
We'd love to feature your work on the cover for the next Stammtisch! Please send an image at team@creativecode.berlin
Schatzkammer der Liebe - Mystische Dimensionen im Humboldt Forum
Das Sufi-Zentrum Rabbaniyya setzt Die Schatzkammer der Liebe fort.
Inspiriert von Hazrat Farid ad-Din Attars âMantÄąq-at Tayr", Vogelgespräche, bietet die Veranstaltungsreihe faszinierende Einblicke in die Erzähltradition des mystischen Orients und die sufische Reise zur Selbsterkenntnis.
Jeden Monat werden die Besucherlnnen durch meditative Gesänge und die Tänze der Derwische aus dem Sufi-Zentrum Rabbaniyya in die mystischen Dimensionen des traditionellen Sufismus entrßckt.
Die Veranstaltung ist kostenfrei, der Eintritt ins Museum erfolgt Ăźber die gegebenen Bedingungen unter https://www.humboldtforum.org/de/programm/termin/lesung/rumis-schatzkammer-der-liebe-72781/
Berlin Relational Lab â Meet Poly & ENM Folks & Experience Real Connection
# Tired of dating apps or surface-level events?
This is different.
This is a **2-hour guided relational experience** designed to help you connect with other singles in your city â without small talk, pressure, or performance.
**What happens:**
⢠You join a 2-hour guided online session
⢠You meet a small group of folks practicing Ethical Non-Monogamy in Berlin and open to new connections
⢠Youâre led through structured connection exercises
⢠Within 48 hours, you meet the same group in person
⢠You stay connected afterward via WhatsApp
**This is for you if:**
⢠Youâre done with shallow or random social spaces
⢠You want deeper, more intentional connection
⢠Youâre open to a structured experience
If youâre just browsing or looking for something casual, this likely wonât be a fit.
**Important:**
Spots are limited and booking happens through our website.
đ Reserve your spot & stay in the loop with new events every month:
[[https://consciousconnections.com/join](https://consciousconnectionsclub.com/join)]
**When:**
Online session: [11 AM - 1 PM]
In-person meetup: within 48 hours (details shared after booking)
Most people come alone. Most leave having met people they genuinely want to see again.
Libertarian Events Near You
Connect with your local Libertarian community
Libera Animae - Freeing the Soul
Main Library, Meeting Room 2B
Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. Weâll 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.
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 actsâlike lyingâare wrong regardless of the consequences; you canât 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 âhigherâ than others, and that good intentions donât 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?
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!
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
Italian Conversation Hour
Ciao a tutt\*!
Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (**Tremont** Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.
Columbus Women's Investing & Personal Finance Meeting
**Welcome to the Womenâs Columbus BogleheadsÂŽ Sub-Group**
This sub-group is for **women who want to learn and discuss finances in a safe, supportive space**. For those interested in moving towards financial independence and retirement by learning investment basics, choosing your 401(k) investments, minimizing taxes, and more. Weâre a local chapter of **BogleheadsÂŽ**, following a long-term, practical investment philosophy:
[Investment Philosophy](https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy):
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads%C2%AE_investment_philosophy
[Bogleheads Forum](https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php):
https://www.bogleheads.org/index.php
No question is too small, and no experience is too simple. Share, ask, and learn â at your own pace, without judgment, in a group of like-minded women. Letâs build confidence and knowledge **together**!





















