What we’re about
Throughout our lives, we've all encountered various philosophers and their ideas—whether in quotes from books, snippets from a podcast, or conversations with friends. Maybe you've even written an essay or two on their concepts back in school.
Often, philosophy can seem like a distant, academic pursuit—analyzing theories about the universe, morality, or language, and debating them until someone "wins" the argument, or at least walks away with a self-satisfied sense of clarity.
But is that all philosophy is, or could it offer something more? What if it could actually help us navigate life, face challenges, and find greater fulfillment?
This discussion group is dedicated to exploring these possibilities. Our aim isn’t just to debate theories about what a “good life” might look like, but to find ways of making it real in our own lives. Together, we discuss different approaches and learn from each other's insights. No credentials are needed—just a willingness to share your experiences, ideas, and to learn from others.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- On CommunityHome, Prague
Modern societies around the world are in the grip of a rapidly spreading epidemic. Millions of people, across all demographics, report a lack of meaningful social interactions that leaves them feeling isolated and disconnected.
Studies increasingly show that this loneliness epidemic significantly impacts both mental and physical health, leading to decreased emotional regulation and heightened stress responses. These effects, in turn, contribute to issues like depression, anxiety, heart disease, dementia, and even shorter lifespans.
Patterns of loneliness and isolation are now widely seen not as personal challenges but as a societal issue requiring a broader response. This has led governments and private sectors alike to launch initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful social connections and improving access to mental health resources—efforts designed to help individuals before isolation becomes life-threatening.
In this session, we'll discuss how this “epidemic of loneliness” may affect our own lives and explore whether philosophy might offer any insights or solutions.
Here are a few questions to get the conversation started:
- What aspects of modern society contribute to feelings of isolation and the difficulty in finding meaningful connections?
- Have you ever struggled with loneliness, and if so, what helped you overcome it?
- Are there particular individuals, ideas, or experiences that have shaped your views on loneliness and belonging?
- How important is it to exist within a community, and what does it take to build and maintain one?
Resources:
- Article on psychological and health effects of loneliness, with strategies for resilience and the importance of meaningful social engagement.
- Report from Harvard highlighting U.S. data on loneliness and identifying social isolation as a public health crisis.
- Video (8:30) of Gabor Mate, a physician and leading voice on the impact stress has on our lives discussing the loneliness epidemic.
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Feel free to arrive as early as 18:15 p.m., but please be here by 19:25 p.m. at the latest. I’ll have tea, flavored water, a bottle of wine, and snacks. You’re welcome to bring anything you’d like to share, though it’s not necessary. We also have a friendly, well-trained dog who adores people—let me know if anyone would prefer she be in another room. We’ll wrap up around 9:45-10:00 p.m., leaving time for some post-discussion chat. Looking forward to seeing you all!
