Philosophers' Café
Philosophers' Café
7 pm, 3rd Monday of the month
Living Room at the Gathering Place Downtown Port Coquitlam
Comfortable surroundings for vibrant street level discussions on burning issues of the day. No formal philosophy training required; real life experience desired. Come early, stay late.
Everyone welcome. Pre-registration is not required. Admission is $5.
These Philosophers' Cafés are co-sponsored by the City of Port Coquitlam, SFU and the Society for Community Development.
Moderator: Graham Forst
For more info: 604-291-5215, interdisciplinary-cs @ sfu.ca, www.philosopherscafe.net
Topics to be discussed:
September 17 "What can we know about death?"
How can a conscious mind conceive of a state of unconsciousness? Is "life after death" an oxymoron? What is the proper and respective role of philosophy and of religion in dealing with death?
October 15 "Has Anarchy been given a fair trial?"
Most political discussions about proper sovereignty, from Plato onward, dismiss anarchy. But why? On what grounds? Is there an argument that we actually have anarchy by capitalists now?
November 19 "You don't pray in my classrooms and I won't think in your church"
says the Darwinist... but is there a real case to be made for creationism? Are we not in some important sense depriving children of a sense of wonder and mystery by dismissing creationism?
December 17 Animal rights.
On what presuppositions do we assume that a human life is more valuable than an animal's? Why do we condemn torture, but condone torturous conditions for the animals we consume? Let's seriously consider Peter Singer's position on animal rights.
Moderator: Please join returning moderator, Graham Forst, who has a PhD in philosophy, and has taught at Capilano College, UBC, at the City University of New York and at the Hofstra University in New York. As an English professor, he is a frequent contributor to academic journals on the subject of literary criticism.
For topic descriptions and more information see the Philosopher's Cafe website and discussion blog.
