Sober Philosophy: Ubuntu (Robert presents, AZF, AR)

Symptom-free people with the capacity to listen considerately to diverse viewpoints are invited to attend after successfully RSVPing.

We begin the discussion at 7:30 pm sharp in the mezzanine lobby of the Graduate Seattle hotel. Feel free to come up to 30 minutes early and hang out with us beforehand. When you enter the hotel from the front door go between the elevators on your left and the main lobby bookshelves on your right until you find the stairwell to your left. Go up one flight of stairs and open the first door you come upon to the mezzanine lobby.

Ubuntu (meaning humanity in some Bantu languages, such as Zulu) describes a set of closely related Bantu African-origin value systems that emphasize the interconnectedness of individuals with their surrounding societal and physical worlds. "Ubuntu" is sometimes translated as "I am because we are" (also "I am because you are"), or "humanity towards others" (Zulu umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu). In Xhosa, the latter term is used, but is often meant in a more philosophical sense to mean "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity"

"All for one, and one for all" Alexandre Dumas

What we can learn from the African philosophy of Ubuntu - BBC REEL
9-minute YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UojwMiRpNM

AMAZON FORMAT (AZF):
We will begin the meeting by watching together the video above on a laptop.

AUDIO RECORDED (AR):
This meeting will be audio recorded for analysis and testing purposes. This recording will not be made publically available without prior permission

OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (ORF):

1. The topic presenter begins the discussion by explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.
2. Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter describes their general thoughts on the topic.
3. If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.
4. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.
5. Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into its main format.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT (TDRF>5):
If there are more than 5 people present we will use the format below.

1. We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.
2. Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.
3. Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.
4. The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.
5. The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interrumptions or redirections.
6. When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.
7. If one is not ready to direct they dimply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.
8. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

At the end of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.