Philosophy Café

Held online via Zoom. Facilitated by Peter Whitfield

The next Philosophy Café takes place on Friday 10 July.

Scroll down for more information.

Register to take part and receive information about upcoming topics.

A weekly get together of like minded people, who want to engage or recharge their interest in the practical benefits of studying philosophy.

Free drop-in sessions on Zoom, no need to attend every week. You will need to register, please click here to register.

Weekly topics taken from the philosophy courses with a focus on Practical Philosophy, and what works in ‘my’ life.
Breakout rooms are allocated to allow time to meet and discuss ideas in smaller groups
Participants are encouraged neither to accept nor reject ideas, but to keep an open mind to discover what might be useful.
We will use the four principles of platonic dialogue.

Platonic dialogue

Truth is the goal
Be willing to be refuted
Listen with full attention; give space to the other person, don’t monopolize the stage – everyone’s voice is important
Ask questions

Peter Whitfield has been teaching the introductory courses in Philosophy for over 30 years. His love of great stories and belief in an eternal wisdom that provides practical help to live life fully, truly and happily has helped thousands of students.

The Introductory Philosophy course has transformed so many lives and the Philosophy Café is an opportunity for anyone, current students, past students, family or friends to come along and be inspired.

With Peter’s facilitation, the Friday night Philosophy café promises to be a new, flourishing event. Come along, be a participant and Find Yourself, in good company.

Usual Session Times:

7pm London (Friday)
7pm Sydney (Friday) / 10am London (Friday morning)

You can check your own timezone here

Friday 10 July

7pm Sydney (10am London) - Open Discussion - with Peter Whitfield

7pm London (4am Saturday Sydney) - The Art of Service - with Bartholomew O'Toole

This week marks the final Philosophy Café sessions before the long UK summer holiday break.

Firstly, many thanks again to Malcolm Lennox for his wonderful and insightful presentation, Avoid a Void. Malcolm challenged us to consider whether what underlies reality is nothing, something, or everything, and left us with plenty to contemplate.

Unfortunately, the recap is not quite ready and will be sent out next week.

Sydney Café – Open Mic and Question Evening

There will be no formal presentation. Instead, we will open the floor to questions and discussion and consider:

What would my life be like without Practical Philosophy?

From the breakout rooms we will have an opportunity to share highlights and insights in the main room.

It should be fun - a philosophical sliding doors moment?

London Café – The Art of Service - Bartholomew O'Toole - Whom do you serve?

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other..."

— Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

And, many centuries later, Bob Dylan reminded us:

"But you're gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed

You're gonna have to serve somebody

Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you're gonna have to serve somebody."

— Gotta Serve Somebody (1979), from the album Slow Train Coming

Whether we like it or not, we are always serving someone or something.

Bart will draw upon a lifetime of professional service as a barrister, together with decades of voluntary service to family, friends, the School and the wider community.

He will explore how service, when undertaken with care, attention and within our capacities, benefits not only those receiving it but also those offering it, deepening connection, purpose and understanding.

It's a great question.

Whom do you serve?

It's your last chance this term to enjoy the company of like-minded souls at the Philosophy Café before the summer break.

Can you think of any reason whatsoever to miss it?

The answer, my friend, isn't blowing in the wind it's ...

No!