Our Think & Drink gatherings are monthly (dojo) sessions that consist of a “meeting of the minds” over libations. An open mind & desire to engage in thoughtful dialogue (whether from a listening or contribution standpoint) is all that’s needed! Learn more here!
In his Handbook, the Stoic philosopher Epictetus tells us that “the appropriate actions for us to do are usually measured out for us by our relations.” Epictetus suggests that we can see how to act fittingly in any given situation, based on how we are related to the other people involved, whether as family members, friends, fellow citizens, enemies, or in whatever other way. In this reading & discussion, we’ll use some extended quotations from Simplicius’ commentary as a springboard for reflecting on friendship, and on the appropriate actions that arise from our relationships more generally. Learn more & RSVP here.
Most of us have the basic intuition that, because the truth “always is what it is”then there shouldn’t really be different “kinds” of knowing: we either know, or we don’t know, and that’s that. Knowledge, like truth, should be objective and invariable. Yet many of us also have another intuition: sometimes, there really does seem to be “something different” about knowing, or about acquiring knowledge, in different ways. In this workshop we'll apply some traditional tools, along with our own careful analytic skill, to see what we can salvage from both intuitions. We’ll identify, as best we can, what each intuition gets right, as well as how they fit together in a coherent way. Critically, we’ll learn to appreciate the difference between knowing, as an activity that we do, and knowledge, as a thing that we have. Learn more & RSVP here.
This book launch & community discussion on wildlife recovery led by philosopher Christopher Preston will take place in the Large Community Center at Lewis & Clark Library on Thursday, March 30th. Learn more & RSVP here!
In this installment of "How Did We Get Here?" with philosopher Ed Glowienka we'll consider something we all want, but can't agree on how to get: freedom. We'll explore the shift between classical and Enlightenment notions of political freedom and look at how reactions to this shift inform modern conservative and liberal values. Along the way, we'll do a bunch of other stuff, too, and hopefully gain a deeper appreciation of why we value freedom and of the philosophical positions underlying contemporary debates. Learn more & RSVP here.
Our Think & Drink gatherings are monthly (dojo) sessions that consist of a “meeting of the minds” over libations. An open mind & desire to engage in thoughtful dialogue (whether from a listening or contribution standpoint) is all that’s needed! Learn more here!
In this first philosophy symposium in our 2023 Loss & Legacy series, we’ll look at grief and death through the lens of aesthetics, combining art, literature, history, culture and and science into a broad, unified philosophical and humanistic understanding. Learn more & RSVP here!
In this short reads session, we’ll begin with a general look at Epictetus’ statement "what's up to us?", and then step back to consider why this might be an accurate account of human life. Along the way, we'll consider some reflections on how this might shape our participation in the civic life of our communities. Learn more & RSVP here.
Despite the commonality, and frankly, inevitability, of death, its taboo nature does not lend itself well to emotional or practical preparation. Death is a topic that the media rarely touches – at least in terms of the day-to-day practicalities of death work. In this second event in our 2023 Loss and Legacy series, we’ll watch a documentary that lays bare this “mysterious” process and invites rich discussion about what goes into how to prepare ourselves and others, what roles people play & the impact of such work, and some of the broader social & philosophical considerations therein. Learn more & RSVP here.
Please help support philosophy in the community on Greater Helena Gives Day 2022! By investing in philosophy, you are investing in community. Learn more here!
Our “Short Reads” evenings explore a focused philosophical argument or theme, by way of a short (4–6 page) paper. During the evening, we’ll step through the paper together, using it as the focal point for a lively and interactive conversation. Learn more & RSVP here.
Our Think & Drink gatherings are monthly (dojo) sessions that consist of a “meeting of the minds” over libations. An open mind & desire to engage in thoughtful dialogue (whether from a listening or contribution standpoint) is all that’s needed! Learn more here!
