Reeder’s Alley Interpretive & Convention Center

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101 Reeder's Alley
Helena, MT 59601 United States Get Directions
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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!

Event Series Philosophy Symposia Series | Loss & Legacy: Living Forward While Looking Back

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!

Short Reads: “Seneca on Clemency, or Mercy”

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

Early in the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, his teacher Seneca composed a short treatise, addressed to the emperor, on the subject of mercy or clemency. While none of us is likely ever to be the sole ruler of the civilized world, we might find analogues to some of these concerns for people in other, lesser positions of authority. In this evening’s Short Reads session, we’ll examine Seneca’s account of mercy as a Stoic virtue: how it differs from vengeance, pity, and forgiveness, and how it’s closely related to the virtue of justice. And we’ll reflect on the profoundly unequal power dynamics inherent in Seneca’s theory of clemency. Learn more & RSVP here.

Workshop Series: Reading Myths Philosophically (Session 2)

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

Myths—inspired stories which relate “things which never happened at any particular time, but which always are,” in one ancient author’s memorable phrase—have played an important role in wisdom traditions around the world. But the role of myth is often woefully misunderstood in our contemporary society, where myths are seen as mere fiction, falsehood, or silly stories that “other people” tell who are “too ignorant to do science,” the way “we” do. In this two-part series, we’ll try to recover a richer, more robust understanding of myth, with the help of some Platonist philosophers of the 3rd-5th centuries, who defended and explained mythic modes of knowing for an age, much like ours, in which elite opinion scorned traditional myths. Learn more & RSVP here.

Workshop Series: Reading Myths Philosophically

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

Myths—inspired stories which relate “things which never happened at any particular time, but which always are,” in one ancient author’s memorable phrase—have played an important role in wisdom traditions around the world. But the role of myth is often woefully misunderstood in our contemporary society, where myths are seen as mere fiction, falsehood, or silly stories that “other people” tell who are “too ignorant to do science,” the way “we” do. In this two-part series, we’ll try to recover a richer, more robust understanding of myth, with the help of some Platonist philosophers of the 3rd-5th centuries, who defended and explained mythic modes of knowing for an age, much like ours, in which elite opinion scorned traditional myths. Learn more & RSVP here.

Short Reads: Punishment & Penalties

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

Our “Short Reads” evenings explore a focused philosophical argument or theme, by way of a short (4–6 page) paper.  This month we'll be looking at punishment and penalties as conceived by Socrates and Polus. During the evening, we’ll step through our paper together, using it as the focal point for a lively and interactive conversation. Learn more & RSVP here.

Philosophy Workshop: Ethics in the Field — A Combat Perspective

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

A workshop exploring just war theory, rules of engagement, and ethical dilemmas faced in combat. Led by philosopher U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Inspector General of the Montana National Guard Charles Phillips, this gathering will involve indoor & outdoor time with hands-on activities. Learn more & RSVP here.

Short Reads: “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis”

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

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.

How Did We Get Here?: Labor & Work

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

We often take “labor” and “work” as synonyms, describing an often-difficult process that’s required to “get by” in life, or even to “make our living.” Yet there’s also a strong contrast between the demanding-yet-fulfilling “work” and drudgery, as well as other complicated dances between labor and leisure, work and recreation, action and contemplation, “liberal” and “servile” pursuits. These complications have been viewed very differently across the centuries. In this installment of "How Did We Get Here?" we'll explore this and then some! Learn more & RSVP here.

Short Reads: Consent & Consequences — A Conversation with the Laws

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

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.

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