What we’re about
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Introduction to Rousseau, his State of Nature and the Noble SavagePittsford Recreational Center , Pittsford, NY
Hello,
Join us for an engaging introduction to Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy, focusing on his concept of the state of nature and the noble savage, as presented in Robert Wokler’s Rousseau: A Very Short Introduction. We’ll explore Rousseau’s views on human nature, society’s corrupting influence, and the origins of inequality. The discussion will delve into how his ideas challenge modern understandings of civilization, freedom, and human progress.
Preparation / Reading
In order to participate please prepare by reading or watching at least one of the following:- Beginner Video - Introduction to Rousseau: The Social Contract (~8 minutes)
- Intermediate Reading 1 - Chapter 1 (pages 1-22)
- Intermediate Reading 2 - Chapter 2 (excerpt, pages 44-54)
I (Ryan) will be doing all three but will draw mainly from the readings to facilitate the conversation and I will collaborate with others who have also done the advanced reading to offer interpretations.
Location:
Meet us at the Pittsford Community Center. Please RSVP on Meetup to receive more detailed directions.Event Details:
This event is welcoming to all. For more details about our group and meeting format, please check out the FAQ.Questions or Feedback?
If you have any questions or wish to provide feedback, feel free to reach out to us on Meetup.Future Readings:
We are eager to hear your feedback on what we should read in upcoming weeks. We aim to be flexible to cater to the interests of our members. If you would like to suggest a reading for an upcoming week, please send us a message or feel free to comment in our spreadsheet.
We look forward to exploring these texts with you.Best Regards,
Ryan - Miracles in the Age of ScienceHenrietta Public Library, Rochester, NY
Join us for a discussion on miracles (in person or virtually). Historical claims of miraculous events have fueled philosophical and theological debates for centuries. But what about modern day claims? The great advantage of living in the 21st century is the benefit that science provides for skeptically interrogating present-day assertions. Our discussion will include a presentation that provides results from investigations performed by forensic pathologists.
Preparation / Reading
In order to participate please prepare by reading the following:Mandatory (2 page essay):
- Miracle, Anatole France (http://www.sophia-project.org/uploads/1/3/9/5/13955288/france_miracle.pdf)
Choose one or both of the following:
Beginner:- An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X - Summary
https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/understanding/section10/
Advanced:
- An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X – Of Miracles, David Hume
(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rpDAUMy1-w-eWEJmnY443Yo8e56mO6el/view?usp=drive_link)
Location:
Meet us at the Henrietta Public Library, The Diana Gabaldon Room on the second floor. Please RSVP on Meetup to receive more detailed directions.
This meeting will also be held online. The meeting link becomes visible after you register. Please note, a Chrome browser is recommended for connecting to the online presentation.Event Details:
This event is welcoming to all. For more details about our group and meeting format, please check out the FAQ.Questions or Feedback?
If you have any questions or wish to provide feedback, feel free to reach out to us on Meetup.
Best Regards,
Len - Introduction to John Locke and his Tabula RasaPittsford Community Library, Pittsford, NY
Hello,
Join us for an engaging introduction to John Locke’s philosophy, focusing on his life and his concept of the tabula rasa, as presented in John Dunn’s Locke: A Very Short Introduction. We’ll explore Locke’s views on the human mind as a blank slate, his ideas on knowledge and experience, and his vision of government rooted in the protection of life, liberty, and property. The discussion will dive into how Locke’s ideas influenced modern political thought and democratic governance.
Preparation / Reading
In order to participate please prepare by reading or watching at least one of the following:- Beginner Video - POLITICAL THEORY - John Locke (~9 minutes)
- Intermediate Reading 1 - Chapter 1 - Life (pages 27-50)
- Intermediate Reading 2 - Chapter 3 - Knowledge, belief and faith - The nature of knowledge (excerpt, pages 98-103)
I (Ryan) will be doing all three but will draw mainly from the readings to facilitate the conversation and I will collaborate with others who have also done the advanced reading to offer interpretations.
Location:
Meet us at the Interfaith Chapel on campus. Please RSVP on Meetup to receive more detailed directions.Parking:
Parking is available on Wilson Blvd, near our venue. A general guide on visitor parking can be found here. A map of some parking is here. The red spaces (reserved) are reserved at all times. The other spaces, I believe, are available to visitors on the weekend, no pass needed. I (Ryan) typically park on Wilson Blvd, which also has no fee on weekends.Event Details:
This event is welcoming to all. For more details about our group and meeting format, please check out the FAQ.Questions or Feedback?
If you have any questions or wish to provide feedback, feel free to reach out to us on Meetup.Future Readings:
We are eager to hear your feedback on what we should read in upcoming weeks. We aim to be flexible to cater to the interests of our members. If you would like to suggest a reading for an upcoming week, please send us a message or feel free to comment in our spreadsheet.
We look forward to exploring these texts with you.Best Regards,
Ryan
