Libertarian

Das nächste Treffen findet am Mo. 4. Mai, um 19 Uhr im Vincenzos, Rathausstr. 1, direkt am Alex, statt. Wir werden die aktuelle Marktsituation besprechen ("Kaufen wenn die Kanonen donnern"?). Außerdem hatten wir beim letzten Treffen kurz angesprochen, welche Hilfe die KI für uns Anleger bringen kann. Das wollen wir weiter vertiefen. Bis dahin wünsche ich gute Kurse! Grüße Jörk Wie immer gilt, ob Du Börsenanfänger oder Halbprofi bist, ob Du nur zu hören möchtest oder Dich beteiligen möchtest ist egal, alle sind willkommen!

All Infos: [urbanjoy.de/eye](https://urbanjoy.de/eye/) \*\*English below\*\* Ihr Lieben, Bald ist es wieder soweit!! Unser nächstes Eye Contact Erlebnis findet statt. Was: • Komm zu Deiner Zeit in dem 2,5\-Stunden\-Zeitfenster gemütlich vor Ort an \| Je früher Du kommst\, desto mehr Zeit hast Du\, diese wundervolle Praxis zu erforschen • Gib Deinen Beitrag für den Ort direkt am Anfang in die entsprechende Empfangsschale - dann ist dieser Teil schon erledigt • Setz Dich auf einen freien DoppelPlatz – entweder direkt zu jemandem oder warte, bis jemand sich zu dir setzt • Genießt gemeinsam den Blickkontakt für 1-3 Minuten oder länger • An einem selbstbestimmten Zeitpunkt steht eine/r von Euch auf [Wiederhole diese Übung so oft, wie Du magst ] • Mach so oft Pausen, wie Du möchtest • Wer bis 19:45/20:00 bleibt kann am Abschlusskreis teilnehmen Wo: • wundervolle FabrikLoft Location in Berlin Kreuzberg Paul-Lincke-Ufer 40 Hof 4, Seitenflügel, Erdgeschoss 10999 Berlin Kostenbeitrag: • 10€ für Raum und Orga Weitere Fragen? [www.t.me/joejung](http://www.t.me/joejung) Wir freuen uns Dich zu sehen! ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Dear kind explorers, soon another Eye Contact Experience will take place in the Capital All information & details [urbanjoy.de/eye](https://urbanjoy.de/eye/) The Practice • Arrive gently at any time within the 2,5 hours time window on location • Make your contribution directly upon arrival - so this part is directly out of your mind • Sit down in a free duo spot - either in front of somebody or wait until someone joins you • Enter in eye contact for 1-3 Minutes or more • One of you gets up whenever you feel like it [ Repeat the practice as often as you like] • Take breaks as often as you like • If you are here until the end you can join the closing circle - ca 19:45 Location • a beautiful Factory Loft Location in Berlin Kreuzberg Paul-Lincke-Ufer 40 Hof 4, ground floor, right side 10999 Berlin Contribution • 10€ for space & organization Further questions: [www.t.me/joejung](http://www.t.me/joejung) We are looking forward to seeing you!

## Wo & Wann? **JEDEN MONTAG** findet die offene Lesebühne des Autorenforums Berlin statt (außer an Feiertagen) **BEGINN**: 20:00 Uhr **ANMELDUNG zum Lesen: ab 19:30 Uhr** beim Moderator des Abends – siehe [Termine](http://autorenforum-berlin.de/wordpress/termine/); Die Teilnahme an der Veranstaltung ist kostenlos. **SCHWARTZSCHE VILLA** **Großer Salon** Direkt am S/U Rathaus Steglitz Grunewaldstr. 55 Der offene Leseabend stellt das Herzstück des Autorenforums e.V. dar. Er steht nicht nur Mitgliedern, sondern grundsätzlich jedem Autor und jeder Autorin offen, der gerne einen unveröffentlichten Text vor Publikum präsentieren möchte. Auch Kritik kann jedermann üben. Wer lieber zuhören möchte, kann einfach am Montagabend um 20.00 in der Schwartzschen Villa erscheinen. Für Lesewillige gilt die unten stehende ausführliche Information (mündliche Anmeldung ab 19:30 Uhr). *Unfortunately at the moment, it's only possible to present German texts. Unpublished texts that are already translated into German are highly welcome!* ## Was erwartet Sie? Im Großen Salon der Schwartzsche Villa treffen Sie auf einen Kreis von Literaturbegeisterten, die Ihrem Text eine ernsthafte und fundierte Kritik spenden. Das Publikum wechselt. Es ist gemischt, geeint durch das Interesse an Texten. Die Autorinnen und Autoren des Abends lesen aus ihren bislang unveröffentlichten Kurzgeschichten, lyrischen Texten, Erzählungen, Romanen, manchmal auch aus Theaterstücken. Die Autoren stellen nicht sich selbst, sondern ihre Texte der Kritik. Wir verstehen uns als Arbeitsbühne. Deshalb wird bei uns nach den Lesungen nicht geklatscht. Die Texte werden nach der Lesung des Autors auf handwerkliche Stärken und Schwächen „abgeklopft“. Es geht im Forum daher nicht um weltanschauliche Debatten. Im Idealfall hat der Autor/die Autorin nach einer Lesung und der Kritik verstanden, wo die Stärken und Schwächen seines Textes liegen, woran es seinem Text noch fehlt, was er ändern sollte und wo er bei seiner Überarbeitung ansetzen kann. Der Abend endet gegen 22.00. Im Anschluss können Sie mit den Autoren im Café der Schwartzschen Villa noch ins Gespräch kommen und manches aus dem Literaturbetrieb erfahren. Wir sind im Kontakt auch mit namhaften Vertretern desselben. Also – nicht gleich verschwinden! Dranbleiben. Reden Sie mit den Forumianern! ## Sie möchten selbst lesen? Wenn Sie selbst im Autorenforum lesen wollen, gibt es einige Dinge zu beachten. Wir bitten Sie sehr herzlich, sich mindestens einmal vor Ihrer ersten Lesung bei uns mit unseren Gegebenheiten vertraut zu machen. Ihren Lesewunsch können Sie dann ab 19.30 Uhr (Einlass) bei der Moderatorin oder dem Moderator eines Leseabends anmelden. **Wir weisen ausdrücklich daraufhin, dass über die Annahme und Reihenfolge der Lesungen die jeweiligen Moderatoren entscheiden und es NICHT zwingend nach der Reihenfolge der Anmeldungen geht!** In der Regel reicht die Zeit nur für drei Autoren je Abend und die Nachfrage ist oft recht hoch. Falls Sie einen lyrischen Text vortragen möchten, bringen Sie bitte mindestens 10 (zehn) Kopien mit, damit Ihr Publikum mitlesen kann. Die Kopien erhalten Sie selbstverständlich zurück. # Wie üben wir Textkritik? Nach der Idee von Maik Turni ## **Anschleichen** **Wie wirkt der Text auf mich?** (Keine Angst vor Adjektiven! ) **Was habe ich gehört?** (Zusammenfassung (Nacherzählung)) **Was blieb unverstanden** (akustisch oder logisch) ## **Unter der Lupe** **Was ist das für ein Text?** (Prosa: Genre? Lyrik: Welche Art lyrischer Text?) **Thema** (Welches Thema berührt der Text? Hat der Autor sein Thema im Griff? Ist es überzeugend/plausibel/gut recherchiert, vielleicht sogar zu faktenreich?) **Figuren** (Wie wirken die Figuren? Wer ist die Hauptfigur? Welches Problem hat die Hauptfigur?) **Perspektive** (Wie verhält sich die Erzählperspektive zum Thema / zu den Figuren?) **Sprache** (Welche Bilder sind stimmig / welche nicht? Was lässt sich zum Rhythmus sagen? Sind die Sätze syntaktisch und grammatikalisch korrekt?) **Dramaturgie** (Schafft der Text es, Spannung zu erzeugen? In welcher Reihenfolge werden die Dinge erzählt?) **Bedeutung** (Gelingt es dem Autor, die Bedeutung, die er seinem Text geben will, auch im Leser entstehen zu lassen?) ## **Klarspüler** Fragen werden an den Text gestellt, nicht an den Autor! Daher sollte der Text antworten. ## **Weichspüler** Wird bei uns nicht verwendet. Aber es gilt: Nicht der Autor wird kritisiert, sondern der Text! Hart zum Text, sanft zum Autor!

## **DNA. presents "ARTISTS MEET UP & JAM SESSION"** ##### **‍**\- a Free & Creative Space for Artists of all kinds to Connect\, Share & Grow\. Together\. ‍ In this space, it's all about community, creativity & collaboration. Whether You're a storyteller, musician, poet, dancer, or visual artist, this space welcomes every form of expression. ‍ > Every respectful person is invited to join. ‍ We talk, we drink, we laugh, we get to know each other & we share our Stories. ‍ **WHEN:**‍ Every Monday 7 - 11 pm ‍ **LINE UP:** DOORS & MEET UP: 7 pm MEET & GREET: 7 - 8 pm JAM SESSION: 8 - 11 pm ATELIER FLOOR (HOUSE MUSIC): 9 - 11 pm + ‍ **SET UP:** for the Jam Session... there is a full band set up available ‍ **WHERE:** [DNA. ART HOUSE](https://maps.app.goo.gl/4XrC8gTPtdDGb3oB6) Wrangelstraße 25 10997 Berlin ‍ ##### **TICKETS:** Box Office: Free for DNA. Members\* / 5e regular (Daily Membership\*\*) **+ FREE ENTRY & FREE DRINK** for Every Artist joining the Jam Session ‍ **SIGN UP:** No signup needed – just come over & be part of our Creative Community. For more info see: [www.dna-artclub.com](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.google.com/url?q%3Dhttp://www.dna-artclub.com%26amp;sa%3DD%26amp;source%3Deditors%26amp;ust%3D1726165890491369%26amp;usg%3DAOvVaw0tJ9La9WXHWzLDW3XsmuEZ&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1726165890529967&usg=AOvVaw2auoUIdwYdu4PnO3_kfvNh) / follow us on IG: [@nightart.club](https://www.instagram.com/nightart.club) :) See Us Soon. Love. DNA. **_____________________________** **\*Members of Dair Night Art e.V. and Subscribers of DNA. Art GbR.** **\*\*By entering the DNA. ART HOUSE, You agree to comply with the [Hausordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/hausordnung) and [Geschäftsordnung of Dair Night Art e.V.](https://dairnight.com/geschaftsordnung) Please ensure You review these documents thoroughly in advance.** **\*\*\*NOTE: By purchasing a ticket for this event, you grant us permission to integrate your contact data into our Database. This allows us to securely save and utilize your contact information to keep you updated about event details, relevant communications and future events. Your privacy and data security are important to us, and we assure you that your information will be handled with the utmost care and in accordance with our privacy policy = see [https://www.dna-artclub.com/privacy-policy.](https://www.dna-artclub.com/privacy-policy.)** **Thank You for Your understanding and support.**

May has a way of making the city feel more possible. The evenings get longer, parks turn into living rooms, and even Mondays carry a little weekend energy. This Social Butterfly Club meetup is for new connections, spontaneous conversations, and starting the week with people instead of postponing life. A soft invitation to arrive in Berlin — or in your own life here — a little more fully. Because sometimes a good week begins with one unexpected conversation. ✨ Suggested Ice Breaker Question: “What’s something in Berlin you’ve been wanting to try, but haven’t yet?” Orga The location accepts only card payments. We will be sitting in the first room. Questions? Check our Meetup-FAQs: [https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/](https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/) Meet your host I’m Julia — a Berlin local who loves bringing people together. My path went from growing up in a dance school to studying philosophy to working in IT support, and somehow all of that led me here: hosting meetups and creating spaces where people can show up, relax, and connect. Insta [https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/](https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/) About The Social Butterfly Club 🦋 is a Berlin-based community that has been bringing people together for over three years. Each gathering is part of a larger framework designed to help friendships grow through shared experiences in the city — with a long-term vision of turning Berlin itself into a shared, playful experience. Love the vibe? There’s a whole community waiting for you. 🦋 Join the Social Butterfly Club and experience Berlin together [https://socialbutterflyradar.substack.com/](https://socialbutterflyradar.substack.com/)

Du möchtest endlich die\*den Richtige\*n für dich in Berlin finden? Berlins großes Gay Speed Dating bietet dir die Möglichkeit, andere Gay Singles aus deiner Umgebung kennenzulernen! Ein Abend, eine Bar – und bis zu 15 einzigartige Dates. Altersgruppe: 40 - 55 Jahre Anmeldung zum Event: [https://speeddating-xxl.de/gay/gay-dating-berlin](https://speeddating-xxl.de/gay/gay-dating-berlin) **Achtung: Zur Teilnahme ist eine vorherige Anmeldung auf der Website nötig!**

English below Liebe Nachbarn und Freunde, Kommt vorbei und lernt eure Nachbarn kennen bei einer Runde Wizard, Just One, Dixit, Fluxx, und noch viel mehr. Ihr dürft natürlich eure Lieblingsspiele mitbringen und sie uns beibringen, falls wir sie noch nicht kennen. Teilnahme auf Spendebasis. Wo: offenes Wohnzimmer, Waldenserstr. 13, 10551 Berlin http://www.offeneswohnzimmer.org/ Dear neighbors and friends, The Offenes Wohnzimmer is hosting the next board game night. Come around and meet your neighbors around a game of scrabble, cards and more. You’re welcome to bring your favorite games. Participation donation based 🙂 http://www.offeneswohnzimmer.org/ Anmeldung: tanjaklett@gmx.de oder spontan !

Der politische Diskurs ist für alle diejenigen, die politische und gesellschaftliche Themen verfolgen und sich gerne darüber austauschen wollen. Wir alle wissen, dass der Vorteil einer Demokratie gegenüber autoritären Systemen darin besteht, dass Meinungen geäußert und Kritik geübt werden kann - so let's do this! Jedesmal steht ein neues, eher generelles Thema im Zentrum, über das wir uns respektvoll austauschen wollen. Das Thema unseres kommenden Abends ist die Frage: Wie geht es Südafrika heute? Ein Südafrikaner mit deutschen Wurzeln wird uns von der politischen Situation und seinem persönlichen Erfahrungen Berichten. Es wird also spannend! Es gibt Snacks (typisch südafrikanisch!) Bringt gerne selbst Getränke mit. Interessante Informationsquellen für: [Nationale_Politik](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/podcast-106.html), [News_aus_Wirtschaft](https://open.spotify.com/show/0MqROiCw2Vl0aVqxWdPjRC?si=dioN4162TqytZm210rXpYw), [Internationale_Nachrichten](https://ground.news/) **WhatsApp Gruppenchat**: Regt dich ein Politiker / eine Argumentationslinie auf? Hast du einen Podcast gehört, den du unbedingt teilen und mit anderen besprechen willst? Möchtest du aktiv bei der Themenwahl unserer Diskussionsabende teilnehmen? Es gibt eine Whatsappgruppe. Sprich mich gerne auf einem Event an, dann füge ich dich hinzu. Wir freuen uns auf deine Ansichten!

**Please note that we invite people through different channels, so there are more attendees than you can see here :)** What do we think about capitalism in 2026? Do we see it as the only system that has ever worked — or as the root cause of all our problems? And let’s dare to think beyond the current system: What might a good and realistic system look like in the future? Would it be capitalism with some adjustments or a totally different system? In this discussion, we’ll quickly look at some of the most prominent perspectives on capitalism — and then discuss what realistic and desirable alternatives might look like. This event is part of the series The Discussion Experiment in which we try out new methods for more focused and meaningful discussions. This time we’re guests at the Schöneberg Central Library. Find out more in the FAQ below and join us! **This is a free event.** +++++++++ **FAQ** ***What can I expect from this event?*** Each event is an experiment, so it’s hard to predict exactly how it will unfold or feel. We aim to create a relaxed and thought-provoking atmosphere in which we explore various aspects and perspectives of the topic together. At the start of the discussion, we’ll introduce some special rules designed to make the conversation slower, but also more focused and clear. ***Who is this event for?*** This event is for anyone who is interested in the topic and/or the concept. We want to create a space where people of all ages, identities and backgrounds feel welcome. You don’t need to prepare anything, have strong opinions, or be extroverted to participate. ***Do I need to actively participate, or can I just listen?*** It’s completely fine to just listen. You can decide for yourself at any time how active you want to be, and apart from a brief round of introductions, you won’t be asked to say anything. There may however be small group phases — short sections where all participants discuss in groups of 2–3 people. You’re not required to take part in these and can use the time for a break instead. ***How long does the event last?*** The event lasts between 1.5 and 2 hours. ***Is the venue wheelchair accessible?*** Yes. This event takes place at the Schöneberg Central Library, which is wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case, as we host events at various locations. We therefore recommend always checking the FAQs before attending. ***What is the "Discussion Experiment"?*** The Discussion Experiment is an ongoing event series in which we continuously test methods that enable meaningful and inspiring group conversations. Among other things, we experiment with techniques that slow down discussions, promote clarity and help participants feel better heard. This event is one of four discussions we’re hosting at the Schöneberg Central Library. All events are free and open to everyone — we warmly invite you to join us. You can find more information on our homepage.

Let's meet for the [ACX Spring Meetups Everywhere 2026](https://www.astralcodexten.com/p/meetups-everywhere-spring-2026-times) in the Humboldthain! This will likely be a big meetup, as it was announced by Scott on ACX. From experience, I expect 25–50 attendees. Humboldthain is good to reach by public transport; the next train stops are S+U Gesundbrunnen and S Humboldthain. If you’re reading this, you’re invited. Please don’t feel like you "won't be welcome" just because you’re new to the blog, demographically different from the average reader, or hate ACX and everything it stands for. You'll be fine! I'll buy some snacks; feel free to bring something to share as well. There are also many restaurants around if you get hungry. Location: Big lawn at the center of Humboldthain — [https://plus.codes/9F4MG9WP+36](https://plus.codes/9F4MG9WP+36) Contact: Reply to this event, message me here on Meetup, or join the Telegram group below. Next public toilet: [https://g.co/kgs/bp9nGd](https://g.co/kgs/bp9nGd) Group Link: [https://t.me/+tVWSc66-0UM5MzA6](https://t.me/+tVWSc66-0UM5MzA6)

**Welcome to** ***The Indian Table Berlin*** – **a cozy, home-hosted Indian dinner experience!** Join fellow food lovers for a multi-course Indian dining experience, where every dish tells a story. This isn’t just a dinner - it’s a cultural experience. You’ll enjoy a home-cooked Indian feast, learn the stories behind the dishes, and connect with others over a shared table. **Reservation Details** • Solo Diner: €30 • Bring a +1 (come as duo): €50 for both You can reserve your spot here on **Meetup** or on **[Eventbrite here](https://WokAndFire.eventbrite.de)** You can find the menu under photos section. Agenda: • Introduction to the evening • Starter • Main Course is served • Dessert • Open Conversations / Cultural Sharing / Bollywood Dance Bring your curiosity, appetite, and a willingness to try new flavors. Address shared after RSVP confirmation.

🚨🚨🚨🚨 IMPORTANT [Registration Link](https://luma.com/6k5t7qio) 🚨🚨🚨🚨 Registration via **luma** https://luma.com/6k5t7qio 🌍 ABOUT THIS EVENT Join us for our next Berlin AI Builders Workshop, organized by GDG Berlin and hosted at Ojin AIxHaus. This session is all about hands-on learning and real-world experimentation. We’re bringing together developers, engineers, and AI builders for a practical deep dive into multimodal AI — with live demos, guided exercises, and plenty of room to build. Whether you're exploring multimodal systems, working with modern AI stacks, or just curious to get your hands dirty, this one is designed for you. 📍 EVENT DETAILS • Location: Ojin AIxHaus — Chausseestraße 36, 10115 Berlin • Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 • Time: 18:00 – 21:30 (GMT+1) ⚠️ CAPACITY • Limited spots available \~ 50 🚨 IMPORTANT 🚨 • Entry is first come, first served — arriving early is recommended 🎤 AGENDA 18:00 – Doors Open Get settled, grab a drink, and meet fellow builders 18:30 – 18:40 — GDG Berlin Welcome 18:40 – 18:55 — Ojin Introduction & Platform Demo 18:55 – 21:00 — Workshop : Hands-on Introduction to Multimodality • By Antonio Rueda-Toicen — Senior Developer Relations Manager @ NVIDIA 🌇 Rooftop Networking from 21:00 onwards 🥨🍹 FOOD & DRINKS Drinks and snacks will be provided (No warm food for this event) ☁️ GOOGLE CLOUD CREDITS We’re planning to offer Google Cloud credits to attendees so you can explore and experiment on GCP after the event. Activation details and instructions will be shared on-site. 🏢 ABOUT THE VENUE Ojin AIxHaus — The Human AI Company, a collaborative community space in Berlin Mitte where scientists, machine learning engineers, founders, creators, and AI enthusiasts come together to build the future of AI. Ojin AIxHaus is free to join and is currently curating its 2026 events calendar. Have an idea for a meetup, workshop, or hackathon? Bring your fire — they bring the space 🔥 👉[ https://ojin.ai/community](https://ojin.ai/community) 🙏 THANKS & CREDITS A big thank you to Ojin AIxHaus for hosting and supporting the Berlin AI community And a huge thanks to everyone helping make these events possible 💙

Today we are working in a beautiful location near U Spittelmarkt with a big desk, power sockets, free WiFi, available food/drinks and air conditioning. 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) 😴 Tired of working by yourself? 🌡️ Too hot or too cold to work at home? 🍫 Contents of your fridge or the laundry distracting you? 💻 Come join other freelancers and remote workers for coworking! ☕️ No membership requirements, free WiFi, some power sockets, a large desk, some affordable coffee, toasted sandwiches and drinks! ⏰ We'll be there from the start time, but feel free to stop by any time. • WHAT TO BRING • Whatever you need to work on your own project / tasks :) • QUESTIONS? • Join our Telegram chat group to ask any questions: [https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly](https://spam-destroyer.com/check/jelly) • MORE EVENTS? • To have more events, we need more organisers. If you would like to help out, please get in touch [😀](https://emojipedia.org/grinning-face/)

This meetup hosted by **Venture Cafe Berlin** focuses on **Food Security**— exploring how innovation in foodtech can help Europe to build geopolitical resilience. This event gives the foodtech and startup ecosystem a much-needed macro lens, reframing innovation not just as a market opportunity but as a strategic lever for Europe’s resilience, sovereignty, and long-term geopolitical stability. This event is prepared in cooperation with Food Hack. Join **founders, investors, ecosystem builders, and curious minds** for open conversations, practical insights, and meaningful connections. **What to expect:** * **Info & Demo Tables (5:00–8:00 PM):** Discover startups, technologies, and ecosystem initiatives. * **Mentor Hours:** Guidance on public affairs, regulation, and government relations for startups. * **Workshops & Talks:** * *Outliving Your Diet: How Metabolic Flexibility and Protein Intake Drive Human Healthspan* * *Can innovation in foodtech help Europe to build geopolitical resilience?* * **Networking & Beats:** Meet fellow innovators, exchange ideas, and connect in a relaxed atmosphere. Come learn, share, and connect with the **Berlin tech community**. More info and speakers here: https://community.venturecafeberlin.org/events/55 *Note: To avoid queue at the door you can pre-register for check-in on the above link.* \-\-\-\-\-\-\- For the latest Berlin Tech News, Events & Jobs head to **[techinberlin.com](https://www.techinberlin.com/)**

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.

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?

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

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.

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.