What we’re about
We ask you to confirm you're coming via our WhatsApp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DYOfghzpqvMLMcbFAYg8WZ
Who Should Join?
This group is for those who enjoy intellectually stimulating discussions and care more about winning arguments with people than winning arguments against people. If you're looking for new friends who kindly and respectfully push each other intellectually, please join!
Embracing Being Wrong
Being wrong is painful, akin to a microbial invader attacking your body, in this case, your beliefs. It can potentially even threaten one’s sense of identity, intellect, and ego. Why subject ourselves to this discomfort? Similar to exercising or engaging in challenging tasks, navigating through our wrongness is not just about the discomfort but also about the growth it fosters. By keeping our identity small, as Paul Graham suggests, we enable more open, less biased discussions, reducing the personal stakes and enhancing collective understanding.
Note, we don't have any ties to the Templeton Foundation (depsite the video below).
Unlocking the Pleasure of Becoming Less Wrong
Navigating through disagreements and errors together, much like enduring physical or mental challenges with others, can forge deeper connections and friendships. These are built on a thorough understanding of how members think and respond to intellectual challenges, differentiating our group interactions from more casual social gatherings.
Anchoring Conversations
Behind our discussions are certain suppositions that guide how we engage with each other and the topics at hand. While these serve to provide discussion structure, they are also open to debate. We draw inspiration from the Socratic method and radical centrism, not as ideologies, but as useful frameworks for fostering thoughtful and balanced discussions.
- Socratic Inquiry: Inspired by Socrates, we focus on truth-seeking through conversation. Socratic discussions emphasize questioning and dialogue as the path to wisdom. We believe in being open to changing our minds when new evidence or arguments emerge, emphasizing intellectual humility over defensiveness.
- Radical Centrism: This is about pragmatism, allowing the best ideas to rise to the top regardless of who they come from or whether they bolster political agendas. These meetings are intended to be a marketplace for ideas.
Types of Events
- Salon-Style Presentations: Members present talks on varied topics followed by discussions that challenge assumptions and explore new ideas, reminiscent of the intellectual salons.
- Open Discussions: Informal settings encourage spontaneous topics ranging from AI ethics to human nature, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas.
- Structured Debates: Participants engage in argument and counterargument to deepen understanding of the topics, not merely to win.
- Suggestions on Events: This is an open invitation for members willing to contribute labor and resources, fostering a collaborative and invested community dynamic. Note, willingness to take suggestions is earned based on prior group involvement.
Our Communication Rules
- Balanced Participation: Ensuring every voice is heard, we strive for a democratic forum where each contribution is valued.
- Respectful Debate: We critique ideas, not individuals, ensuring that controversial topics can be explored safely.
- Yielding to Logical Points: We value those who demonstrate a willingness to adapt their views in light of new logical arguments. This starts with rejoining arguments rather than cleverly dodging them.