Meetings are held on Friday mornings from 9:00am to 12 noon at 33, Reddings, Welwyn Garden City.
Group Leader: Ann Smith, 'phone 01707 893933
We learn through individuals reading to the group from books by philosophers ancient and current, and also through discussionn of points raised in the session. Everyone's view is courteously listened to.
Meetings are held at members' homes, on alternate Fridays from 14.15 to 16.30 (including mid-break).
Group Leader: Brian Connelly, 01438 716251
‘The unexamined life is not worth living.’ - Socrates, 4thC BC
We aim to improve our understanding of Western philosophy through the study of its key thinkers from classical times to the present. We do this through developing programmes of study in which we read about and then discuss particular philosophers and their ideas. Members also prepare and present discussion papers for the fortnightly sessions. They are supported in this by the group leader, who is an experienced philosophy tutor. Our study programmes have included: ethics, politics, religion, metaphysics, and theories of knowledge and consciousness.
The group also holds ‘open’ sessions in which we apply philosophical ideas to our lived experience through looking at topical events and issues. Recent discussions have included: standards in politics; artificial intelligence and consciousness; and, attitudes to climate change.
Meetings: Welwyn, Fridays, Monthly, from 14.15 to 16.30 (including mid-break).
Group Leader: Brian Connelly, 01438 716251
This is open to anyone who wants to learn more about philosophy at an introductory level. The meetings consist of informal presentations and discussions of key philosophical debates and ideas, often looking at the relevance these may have for current issues and our day-to-day lives. Recently, we have looked at how philosophers from classical times to the present-day can help us be more informed about the assisted dying debate, and on political developments in the UK and USA.