Philosophy Walk: Mercy & Forgiveness

Mount Helena Trailhead Helena, MT, United States

We often talk about showing mercy or forgiving those who have harmed us as something noble, praiseworthy, perhaps even necessary or required in order to behave well. But this has by no means always been the case: the ancient Romans, for example, often saw the bestowal of mercy or clemency as a sign of tyranny and despotism, and they had some good reasons for doing so. By taking some historical perspective on these issues, in this walk we’ll aim to deepen our own understanding of the scope, limits, benefits, and dangers of mercy, clemency, and forgiveness. Learn more & RSVP here!

Loss & Legacy (Film & Conversation): Ancestors in Service

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

In this final installment of our loss & legacy series we’ll reflect upon our military and the ways in which we think about ancestors in service, as prompted by the WW1 memorial film “They Shall Not Grow Old.” Our film & community conversation will be held on Thursday, November 2nd from 6pm-8:30pm in Reeder’s Alley Convention Center and facilitated by community philosopher David Nowakowski. Water & hot tea provided. Bring a low-profile comfy lawn camping chair for the film if you'd like.  We'll also have regular fold-out chairs available.  FREE and open to all members of the community. SPACE IS LIMITED.  RSVP & watch the film trailer here!

Philosophy Think & Drink

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

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!

How Did We Get Here?: Free Will

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

Debates about “free will” crop up in a wide, wide variety of areas: In discussing law and punishment, we ask whether the defendant acted “of his own free will.”  In physics and metaphysics, we wonder whether the future is fully deterministic, or whether our choices might affect the course of things.  Theologians of various religious traditions ponder a variety of problems over how to reconcile human freedom with divine providence.  And researchers in neuroscience and the philosophy of mind worry over the legacy bequeathed to them from Descartes: how, if at all, can the mind even be connected to the body?  What, if anything, do these widely varied conversations in divergent fields have in common, besides the name “free will”?  By looking at the history of this much-contested concept in this month's session of "How Did We Get Here?", we can begin to peel back the layers! Learn more & RSVP here!

Philosophy Think & Drink

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

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!

How Did We Get Here?: Religion – NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

What is (a) religion? What are religions for? Whom are they for? And conversely, if someone is “spiritual but not religious” (or simply not religious), what exactly is it that they aren’t? In this evening’s program, we’ll explore some of the ways that the concept of “religion” has evolved and radically changed over time, along with the related concepts of spirituality and atheism. And we’ll consider some of the social, political, and historical factors which have spurred changes in dominant and popular notions of religion, without necessarily reducing the domain of religion to merely those other factors. Learn more & RSVP here!

Philosophy Think & Drink

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

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!

Philosophy Talk: Paradigms on Planet Earth – EVENT FULL

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

A fun community philosophy gathering exploring some paradigm shifts on planet earth….and aliens! Featuring guest scholar Stephen Maly. Learn more & RSVP here!

Visions & Voices Roundtable at the Holter

Holter Museum of Art 12 E. Lawrence St., Helena, United States

Run in conjunction with the Visions and Voices: A Figural Show exhibition at the Holter Museum of Art, this roundtable is an invitation to think with models, artists, and fellow philosophers about art and the human body, figure drawing, body empowerment, agency, censorship, wellness, and more. Learn more here!

Free

Reading & Discussion Series: Exploring the Republic

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

Why is it worthwhile to act justly, even if we could “get away” with injustice?  Doesn’t the successful thief or tyrant have a life that’s attractive and enviable? How does the kind of society that we live in shape our character, values, and attitudes as individuals?  Is it even possible to be a healthy person, in a society that’s profoundingly sick and unbalanced? Over the winter and early spring, we’ll be exploring these and other main themes from Plato’s Republic.  For 5 every-other-Wednesday sessions, we’ll balance our time and attention between close reading of Plato’s text, and considering the implications of Plato’s arguments for our own lives and times. Learn more & RSVP here!

Winter La Mesa – NO MORE SEATS AT THE TABLE/FULL

Residence of Marie Z. Bourgeois & Ross P. Nelson 1630 Stuart Street, Helena, MT, United States

“Las Mesas” are intimate, salon-style gatherings where friends come together to explore philosophy and ideas over hand-crafted meals & wine. Each season, a different community member(s) will host a “La Mesa” dinner at their house, opening up their home for community members to gather and enjoy the fun of philosophy, the beauty of rich and meaningful conversation, and the joy of good food & friends (old and new). Our Winter La Mesa will take place on Friday, March 8th and will be hosted by Marie Z. Bourgeois & Ross P. Nelson. Reserve your seats here!

$100

Philosophy Think & Drink

Reeder's Alley Interpretive & Convention Center 101 Reeder's Alley, Helena, MT, United States

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!

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