Philosophy Café

Held online via Zoom. Facilitated by Peter Whitfield

The next Philosophy Café takes place on Friday 26 June.

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 26 June - Eudaimonia in the Age of AI - Ross Farrelly
+ Special Bonus Event

7pm Sydney (10am London)

Please note: the 7pm London Café is cancelled this week

Philosophy attracts many artistic and creative minds, but it is not often that we have someone who combines a deep philosophical interest with such an exceptional scientific and technical background.

Ross Farrelly is Partner Technical Specialist, Data and AI, at IBM Australia. He works with organisations throughout the region on predictive analytics and generative AI. He also holds a Masters of Applied Ethics, a Masters of Applied Statistics, a first-class honours degree in Pure Mathematics, and a PhD in Information Systems.

Over 2,000 years ago Aristotle explored the idea of Eudaimonia - human flourishing, or the good life. But what does human flourishing mean in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence?

Ross will invite us to reflect on questions such as:

· Can AI help me lead a better life?

· Can AI impede the search for a good life?

· Which aspects of human flourishing need to be redefined in the age of AI, and which remain the same?

· What practical strategies can help move us towards Eudaimonia in the age of AI?

As always, there will be a short presentation, breakout discussions, and plenty of opportunity for questions and conversation.

A Special Bonus Event This Week - Wednesday 24th at 7pm (UK time)

For those wanting a double dose of philosophical harmony, William Wray’s presentation last week on Living in Harmony with Nature was a real treat, made even more memorable by Patti reading the quotations so beautifully.

This Wednesday, William continues the theme with a very special live guest: Dr Jude Currivan, cosmologist, author and futurist. Jude is a remarkable person, and William has been raving about her achievements and this promises to be a wonderful evening.

Wednesday 24 June at 7pm (UK time)

Living in Harmony with Nature

Guest speaker: Dr Jude Currivan