Convener: Linda Leggott
Date: 3rd Monday of the month
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Hawks Nest Golf Club
rlindaleggott69@gmail.com
We meet monthly to discuss topics (usually philosophical in nature) which are generally related to problems that have worried thinkers for centuries – and have remained difficult to clarify or to resolve. Our method is to sit in a circle and conduct an open enquiring dialogue (using Socratic techniques) which I facilitate.
The goal of Socratic dialogue is to ‘unpick’, or clarify, the topics and to identify the assumptions which often underpin them. We then look at relevant ideas that renowned thinkers have previously proposed which may help us consider the questions. And most importantly we try to generate new or updated ideas within the group.
We choose our topics by popular demand. We have a master-list of potential topics to which any member can contribute. You can find our current list below.
Each month the group vote on which topic will be considered for the following month’s discussion. As each topic is limited to a single session there is no need for members to attend regularly in order to ‘keep track’. This means that people who cannot be reliable attendees (or are not interested in all the topics) are nevertheless welcome.
HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE TYPES OF QUESTIONS WE CAN ADDRESS:
• What do we mean by ‘marriage’ and ’family’ in the 21st century?
• What is there to celebrate about old age?
• Are there conflicts between human equality and human freedom? If so, how are we to resolve them?
• The US Declaration of independence states: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Are these truths self-evident?
• Does anything give life meaning? If so, what?
• Are behavioural standards of right and wrong (i.e. morality) something we discover – or are they something we invent?
• Who should we admire or respect? Why?
• If we can do it for free, why can’t we do it for money? Should there be limits on where markets should be allowed to operate?
• What is the mind? What is consciousness? Could a machine have a mind or be conscious?
• What is science? How does it work, what is it for and what are its limitations?
• Love is one of the great themes in philosophy, in theology and in literature. What is it?
• What are the ‘natural’ (non-theological) arguments for and against the existence of God?
• What is friendship? Is there more than one kind?
• Important philosophers (such as Nietzsche) have taken power to be the key force driving human nature. Is this true?
• What is the difference between moral right and wrong – and legal right and wrong?
• What was Aristotle’s view on morality and how relevant is it today (2300 years later)?
• Do we possess genuine freedom of choice or are we all just subject to the natural physical forces of nature?
• The free-market neo-liberal political model we live under aims to reward merit. Does it? Should it?
People are sometimes keen but hesitant
to join the group because they feel they
lack the preparation or formal education to participate. To allay any such concerns I’d like to offer the following thoughts: Philosophy is seen by many as an academic discipline which requires specialist knowledge and skills only obtainable in a university. This is a myth! Philosophy is about making everyday sense of the big ideas which have been ‘thought’ over the centuries by all manner of people, many of whom had never been near any university.
People might be concerned about having to read short background essays or articles which I often mail out before the sessions. There is absolutely no obligation on attendees to read any of these texts, nor to present any personal views on the topic in hand. The format of the sessions is an open and voluntary discussion. There is no pressure on individuals to contribute. You are more than welcome to just sit and listen.