NationStates Jolt Archive


Socrates cafe

02-04-2004, 07:04
How many of you are familiar with Socrates Cafes? What this is, basically, is a philosophy discussion group. The idea is for each participant to suggest a question, which the group then selects for discussion. It is meant to be thoguhtful and reflective, and requires careful listening (something I think we could certainly use more of!).

It isn't meant to be a debate-type gathering, rather one where concepts are explored using techniques such as examing the questions for built-in assumptions, embedded concepts and where differnces of kind and degree might influence the answers. (Like When is lying good?, where we'd examine what a lie is, why it is considered bad, how it might be good, etc.)

This concept of the Cafes is interesting to me and I am considering trying to get such a group underway in my area. I'd like to know if any one here has participated in such a group, or would find this type of discussion stimulating (as opposed to the debate style of discussion more common in internet forums.) I've read several articles about them and checked to see if there is a group already established anywhere nearby so I could go see how they work in reality. (None listed in Maryland, DC, or Virginia that I can find. Perhaps the area is too innundated with politics? People here tend to be either very vociferous or so fed up with politics they try to ignore it completely. Hard to do when the entire area is militarily and politically transient!)

Anyway, I'd like any input you care to share. Personal experience with Socrates cafe, Philosopher's Clubs, et. al., general opinions on the concept, whether you'd participate, etc.
Love Poetry
02-04-2004, 07:11
I hear the hemlock tea is outstanding at the Socrates Cafe. ~ Michael.
Free Soviets
02-04-2004, 07:24
alright, how 'bout this one... what exactly is 'freedom'?
Love Poetry
02-04-2004, 07:29
alright, how 'bout this one... what exactly is 'freedom'?Jesus can set you free from sin and death. After all, if you cannot be free from death, then can you truly be free? ~ Michael.
Plastic Hams on Sticks
02-04-2004, 07:42
What's with nations that attach another name to the bottom of their posts?
NationStates identifies everyone clear enough.
~Michael
02-04-2004, 07:50
alright, how 'bout this one... what exactly is 'freedom'?
Exactly is a little difficult, lol. Since freedom has at least two sides, absolute freedom can't really exist. We can have the freedom to and/or freedom from but we can't have both all the time. We can have the freedom to follow our every urge and rape, maim and kill or we can limit freedom with laws (or societial norms) that prohibit these things and therefore [usually] protect us from them. So before we can define 'freedom' we have to define whether we mean universal freedom or only that of a single individual.(And that barely scratches the surface, I think.)

So, if a discussion group like this were happening down the street from you, would it be something you'd participate in?
Free Soviets
02-04-2004, 07:58
Exactly is a little difficult, lol. Since freedom has at least two sides, absolute freedom can't really exist. We can have the freedom to and/or freedom from but we can't have both all the time. We can have the freedom to follow our every urge and rape, maim and kill or we can limit freedom with laws (or societial norms) that prohibit these things and therefore [usually] protect us from them. So before we can define 'freedom' we have to define whether we mean universal freedom or only that of a single individual.(And that barely scratches the surface, I think.)

my thinking has been leading me to the idea that meaningful freedom has to be a social thing - you cannot have 'freedom' that denies freedom to others. the concept becomes hollow and contradictory.

So, if a discussion group like this were happening down the street from you, would it be something you'd participate in?

shit man, i got my degree in this and i'm going back for more. so i guess that's a yes.
02-04-2004, 08:01
alright, how 'bout this one... what exactly is 'freedom'?Jesus can set you free from sin and death. After all, if you cannot be free from death, then can you truly be free? ~ Michael.

I'm not particularly afraid of dying, so I see no need to be free from death. I'm not in a rush to die either, I just see no reason to fear it.

As for 'sin', it's human nature and we each decide how much effort we wish to put into rising above it and what things are personally unacceptable to us. Perhaps you mean that after death, Jesus frees believers from the consequences of sin? Because we all pay some price for our behavior whether christian or no, while we yet live. Sometimes the payment is charged by society, sometimes our own inner guilt, sometimes we bury it enough we don't realise we are paying, but we do pay when we do things we suspect we ought not have.

So, are you going to contribute anything pertaining to the questions I asked initially?
02-04-2004, 08:15
Exactly is a little difficult, lol. Since freedom has at least two sides, absolute freedom can't really exist. We can have the freedom to and/or freedom from but we can't have both all the time. We can have the freedom to follow our every urge and rape, maim and kill or we can limit freedom with laws (or societial norms) that prohibit these things and therefore [usually] protect us from them. So before we can define 'freedom' we have to define whether we mean universal freedom or only that of a single individual.(And that barely scratches the surface, I think.)

my thinking has been leading me to the idea that meaningful freedom has to be a social thing - you cannot have 'freedom' that denies freedom to others. the concept becomes hollow and contradictory. I agree. Freedom requires restriction, contrary as it sounds.

So, if a discussion group like this were happening down the street from you, would it be something you'd participate in?

shit man, i got my degree in this and i'm going back for more. so i guess that's a yes.The more I see about these groups, the more interested I am. Now I discover I am interested enough to start it myself. This startles me, since I tend to shyness most of the time.