Description
Introducing the tutor: My interest in philosophy was born out of the change in life, called retirement, several years ago, when I was keen to try anything that was not engineering or science. I enjoyed the novel experience of listening to other people’s thoughts and opinions and discovering the interrelationship of history and philosophical ideas. I fell into the “tutor’s” position because no-one else wanted the job and I was keen to explore the vast range of subjects which have a philosophical dimension. Fortunately no qualifications or experience are necessary (and sometimes a hindrance) as the focus is not on learning facts but on thinking. My job is just as a facilitator. I feel that novelty and variety are vital to life, so we jump around from week to week to keep everyone awake. What I find most satisfying is when someone (mostly me) says “I had never really thought about that before” or “having looked into it I have changed my opinion”. I look forward to sitting around each week with a group pf people who value patience and tolerance and who would never say “I don’t want to talk about that”!
bpasottiҘ –
2022: We started the term with Sex and Sin. But only talking about them. Are they the same thing? What is the link between sex and love? Or is it more often an expression of power?
We then spent time talking about Time. Does time actually exist or is it just a human construct and would it exist without humans to observe it? Is it subjective?
We then came together to discuss Unity. Should we be united politically or socially? Is nationalism a good or bad concept? Will the United Nations ever work?
Finally, we discussed the Vienna Circle. A group of philosophers who met in coffee shops in (you guessed it) Vienna and whose theories had a great influence, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, but also up to the present day.
bpasottiҘ –
2023: The Philosophy Circle started the first term discussing our personal philosophy. Do we have a purpose to fulfil, or do we make this up ourselves? Does Monty Python’s ‘The Meaning of Life’ give the complete answer?
Stoicism was next – the ancient philosophy that has had an explosion of interest in the last few years. We discussed some of the helpful stoic ideas, as well as Nietzsche’s objections to stoicism.
Irrationality followed as the next topic. Is it rational to be irrational? Is there a connection between irrationality and creativity? Is it irrational to be too emotional, as Sartre thought? Is it realistic to separate our rational and emotional sides, as Mr Spock supposedly could?
Lastly, we got into drugs. But only talking about them! Their effects, which should be controlled and how? Everyday addictive substances were included plus other addictions such as gambling and whether they should be advertised.
As usual, with all these questions we agreed to disagree.
David