Philosophy Lovers Club

nimblepilot29 MemberOP

49 messages
joined Oct 2006

#1 · Oct 22, 2006

So, I don’t hang out here all that often, but when I do, I love to jump in and participate. I’ve really been enjoying how some of you take a deep dive into a work of philosophy, providing such detailed summaries before opening up a massive discussion about it. It got me thinking—would anyone be interested in doing something like this in person? My idea is that we could collectively choose a book to tackle, then meet up periodically to share our personal experiences, interpretations, and various thoughts on the material...
I’m based out of Chicago, so if anyone is interested, please reach out!

mistyfox812 Regular

295 messages
joined Mar 2004

#2 · Oct 22, 2006

And why not just do the same thing right here on the forum?

neonhound32 Active Member

64 messages
joined Jun 2006

#3 · Oct 22, 2006

Sure, that works. But let's keep the discussion on the forum.

nimblepilot29 MemberOP

49 messages
joined Oct 2006

#4 · Oct 23, 2006

Why not stick to the forum? That was the question at hand.
It just feels like communicating through a message board makes everything so much more difficult. Maybe I'm wrong, but I truly believe that talking things out verbally is far more efficient. On top of that, I've been struggling with some major internet connectivity issues lately, which just adds another layer of frustration to the whole process.
Not too long ago, I was studying for an exam with a close friend, and it was such an engaging way to learn; it really got me thinking that it would be wonderful to continue studying alongside people who share those same academic interests.
Plus, when you interact in person, you stay genuinely engaged, whereas on the forum, you end up dealing with people who have zero interest or just drop random, pointless comments that serve no purpose.
So, those are just a few of the reasons why...

William Gonzalez3 Regular

276 messages
joined May 2009

#5 · Oct 23, 2006

That sounds pretty interesting...

But where would these literary readings actually take place? Like, at a local brewery? Or maybe just out in a park?

And I wonder—would we be talking about evening gatherings, or more of a morning thing, or perhaps late afternoons?

Personally, I think late afternoon or evening works best for me—mornings are always a bit too early for me to get started with anything significant. Though, if there isn't any other way to make this work, I suppose I'll just go along with whatever the majority decides.

So, you've got one person signed up.
p.s. Just a heads-up right now—I’ll mostly be pushing books that are on my reading list for my next big exam.

nimblepilot29 MemberOP

49 messages
joined Oct 2006

#6 · Oct 23, 2006

Of course, we can figure out the time and location once we touch base. Personally, I’m totally down to meet up at a quiet little pub, or honestly, you’re more than welcome to just come over to my place.
If you don't mind me asking, what's your next exam on? I might actually be studying the exact same thing...🙂

As far as scheduling goes, I'm pretty flexible!

William Gonzalez3 Regular

276 messages
joined May 2009

#7 · Oct 23, 2006

Not my exam.

I still have a few others left to tackle.

Right now, I’m diving into modern philosophy.
So, I’ll probably be cramming a lot of Kant—they really shoved him into this specific test—
along with Berkeley, Hume, and the rest of those guys.

As far as timing goes, I guess I'm a bit more flexible.

neonhound32 Active Member

64 messages
joined Jun 2006

#8 · Oct 23, 2006

William Gonzalez3 said:I'll mostly be focusing on the books on my reading list for the upcoming exam.[/COLOR]

It isn't such a bad thing; there are still a few of us left studying philosophy. 🙏
It’s a shame we probably aren't in the same year, but good grief.

Lisa Rodriguez84 Active Member

175 messages
joined Jul 2006

#9 · Oct 23, 2006

Honestly, philosophy has become three times more interesting since I finally started getting it in my senior year of high school—basically, just now.
It’s not even a struggle to study because the subject is actually fascinating, but I know I'm going to end up with the absolute worst grade, mostly just because I can't stop clashing with my professor.

Douglas Hernandez3 Member

14 messages
joined Oct 2005

#10 · Oct 24, 2006

Lisa Rodriguez84 said:Philosophy has become about three times more fascinating to me now than it was back when I first took it during my sophomore year of high school.
It’s honestly not even a chore to study because the subject matter is just so engaging, though I have a feeling I'll end up with at most a C, mostly because I can't seem to stop debating with my professor.

I didn't actually take any philosophy classes at all during my time in high school...
but since I've already graduated, I've finally had some breathing room to dive into my own interests...
I spent a good chunk of my time reading Kant and Hegel...
and then, naturally, it was time to tackle Wittgenstein.

nimblepilot29 MemberOP

49 messages
joined Oct 2006

#11 · Oct 24, 2006

Alright, I’m suggesting we all get together this Sunday or sometime next week. As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy to meet up with any group of philosophers you guys choose.

neonhound32, have you changed your mind about meeting up, or are you planning on staying strictly online?

William Gonzalez3 Regular

276 messages
joined May 2009

#12 · Oct 25, 2006

neonhound32 is, quite clearly, a proud member of the gentler sex.

I’d actually suggest that we set the philosophers aside for a moment—maybe we shouldn't dive into any heavy reading before our first meetup—and just focus on getting to know one another instead. Or, if we really want some reading material, perhaps something a bit lighter.
Something like Voltaire's *Candide*.
That way, you could discuss how the protagonist completely misinterprets Leibniz—and all those other misunderstandings along the way.
Or maybe talk about deism.
We could even touch on what Eldorado looks like in the story and compare it to your own visions of an ideal society.
And then, to wrap things up, there's that final takeaway: the need to tend to our own gardens—and what kind of message that sends to a young man or a true believer.
I wonder, though—can a young person truly focus on their own garden? Or is it almost inevitable that a young person will feel this burning, passionate need to change the entire world first, only finding their way to "tending the garden"—becoming a philosopher, I suppose—once they've exhausted themselves trying to fix everything else? Maybe somewhere around age 50.
As for me, I'll just be drinking.

swiftcobra15 Regular

305 messages
joined Dec 2002

#13 · Oct 25, 2006

William Gonzalez3 said:
Can a young person even focus on tending their own garden? Or is it inevitable that we all feel this burning need to change the entire world first, only turning our attention to the soil once we've failed at fixing everything else—usually somewhere around age 50?
I guess I'll just wait and see how my own journey unfolds.

The best way to improve the world is actually by tending to your own backyard.
You really should start as early as possible. For me, hitting fifty felt a little bit too late.

William Gonzalez3 Regular

276 messages
joined May 2009

#14 · Oct 25, 2006

swiftcobra15 said:

The best way to change the world for the better is by tending to your own garden.
One should probably get started as soon as possible. Maybe starting at fifty—well, I suppose I've already passed that mark.

Working in a garden is hard work, though.

Isn't there an easier way?

For instance, just picking fruit from someone else's yard—effectively stealing it.

Or, if someone isn't inclined toward criminal activity, simply buying produce from another's garden.

Then again, one could always just starve.

There is always a choice to be made, I suppose.

But unfortunately, it feels as though there is really only one right path.

In this context, that path is cultivation.
But to actually begin cultivating, one first has to truly grow up.
I imagine that requires dealing with that initial shock that pushes you out of your comfort zone—because, for me, childhood always felt like a state of total security.

😢
Anyway, thank you.

rustymaker5 Regular

352 messages
joined Mar 2008

#15 · Oct 25, 2006

William Gonzalez3 said:

I suppose someone would have to manage that specific shock—the kind that jolts you right out of your comfort zone... though, honestly, my childhood felt less like a comfort zone and more like a permanent state of absolute security.

.

And let's be real, everyone else steps in to handle things, one way or another, while kids just soak everything up and play through life... but if that period of being shielded lasts too long, it becomes a trap, because once you're conditioned to a very specific garden, any sudden shock can feel devastatingly real.
I mean, what happens when you suddenly realize the plants in your parents' garden don't actually suit you, and they're starting to look more like weeds, especially when you've discovered there’s a whole different, much more enticing variety out there? Will you actually find the guts to dig up that old, familiar garden within yourself and plant something entirely new?
I suspect most people just can't bring themselves to do it, so their new growth ends up struggling to survive in that old, learned, weed-choked soil they refuse to clear out...

nimblepilot29 MemberOP

49 messages
joined Oct 2006

#16 · Oct 29, 2006

So, here’s how I see it: since William Gonzalez3 is currently the only philosopher showing any real interest in my idea, it might be best if we hold off for a few more days. If nobody else steps up by then, he and I can just go ahead and meet up...

neonhound32 Active Member

64 messages
joined Jun 2006

#17 · Oct 29, 2006

William Gonzalez3 said:neonhound32 is a proud member of the gentler sex.

Thanks. 😉

I’m still on board, though we’ll need to pin down a time and a location first. It would be great if someone could just reach out via PMove. Between work and everything else, I don't spend much time browsing the boards; I mostly just check my inbox when I can. If someone wants to get in touch that way, we've got a plan.
Beyond the logistics, let me know what the topic will be so I can actually prepare. 😎

William Gonzalez3 Regular

276 messages
joined May 2009

#18 · Oct 29, 2006

We'll be sure to keep you posted on everything—you lazy thing.

Alexander Hernandez32 Member

28 messages
joined Nov 2006

#19 · Oct 29, 2006

I actually tried pushing a similar idea back when I was in college. It ended up being this cycle where I’d grab articles or snippets from various papers, pass them around, and everyone would act totally thrilled—but then, it always turned into the same thing. You’d show up to these "discussion groups" and there would be maybe three and a half people there, which were just the same folks I already hung out with anyway, talking about the same stuff. It wasn't exactly the breakthrough I was hoping for.

The upside, though, was that we always had plenty to talk about. Plus, it served as a perfect excuse to get together once a week—ideally at a local brewery. That way, we could grab a drink while we chatted. It felt a bit like having our own little weekly Symposium, you know? 😁

Alexander Hernandez32 Member

28 messages
joined Nov 2006

#20 · Oct 29, 2006

Honestly, I’m all for it. It would be pretty cool to get a diverse group of people together, grab some drinks, and just sit around chatting about a specific topic. 👍

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