...from the Southport PiPs Group

The Fringe: The Good of Profit?

2012-01-27T13:03:00.001Z

The topic of our enquiry at the Fringe yesterday evening was as fascinating as it was lively: What exactly is or could be the good in profit, we were asking? (although the "could be" part of the question does I admit sound a tad biased... ah well who wants to be neutral anyway!)

In light of that discussion, through which I personally at least gained some considerable insights, touching upon as it did issues of Ownership, Equality, Exploitation and Greed, I thought I would share with you a short extract from one of the stock market trading reports that are issued each and every day, in support of traders trying to make some...profit that is:

"So whilst the focus is on growth in Davos this year, there is also the touchy subject of executive pay. This of course is being hotly debated here in the UK as the head of RBS takes another million as a bonus. How can he, it’s a disgrace, where’s his moral compass, many people are crying out.

Unfortunately, the hard cold fact is that that’s what bankers are paid and he’s only taken two thirds of what he legally and contractually could have been awarded. In effect Mr Hester is a civil servant and you can rest assured that banking crisis or no banking crisis, even if the bank was fully owned by the state, he would still be paid what he is today as a minimum. Senior civil servants are paid large sums of money in order to keep them in the civil service because the state knows that most could go to the private sector and probably be paid more. In the end if Mr Hester does his job properly then the two million a year we pay him will look very good value if he repairs the bank and we sell our stake for a profit. So he might be a multi-millionaire, but the pressure is on him to turn the taxpayer’s investment into a profit." (Taken from: Capital Spreads-Morning Commentary: Fri 27 Jan 2012)

All comments gladly recieved...

Bye for now

New Fringe group off to promising start...

2012-01-21T00:56:00.001Z

The new On The Fringe group in Southport got off to a good start last Thursday 12 January with an attendance of 12 on the night.

Yesterday's session attracted 20. We were all treated to a lively and insightful debate on the subject of 'celebrity'. Contributions from our newest members were plentiful and, for them, the PiPs experience will hopefully have been a good one and we look forward to seeing as many as possible for next week's enquiry.

So, an enormous "thank you!" to all those who came along and supported the group. It's so far so good for this new venue and really promising, given that the promotion out-and-about around the town (other than in the venue itself) has so far been relatively low key.

New PiPs Group Southport

2011-12-30T13:14:00.008Z

Begins 12th January... the second Southport Group within a year!

Come Along and Support the New Group each and every Thursday at 7:00pm.

For Enquiry topics check out the PiPS website

Philosophy in Pubs: part of the development of Southport's newest Arts Venue. Formerly the Shakespeare Public House, On The Fringe offers an exciting array of Drama, music, poetry, philosophy and very much more... Click for the Latest News.

You can find On The Fringe adjacent to Eastbank Bridge at the top of Eastbank Street, no more than a 10 minute walk from the rail station - Post Code is PR8 6PU

The PiPs Christmas Party...

2011-12-16T00:02:00.003Z

Coming Soon... VERY Soon! CLICK FOR MORE INFO

Wednesday 14th December - Enquiry Topic

2011-12-09T10:04:00.002Z

"Our betters by birth; Who are Royalty?"

click me

Well, I had better not say too much in public about this particular topic for fear of being carted off in the night. But joking aside (I hope!), questioning our establishments promises to generate some interesting discussion. I think we shall have to ration the Christmas Spirit for this one, just in case we end up in a full scale argument!! ;0)

Following Wednesday's Enquiry...

2011-12-09T08:51:00.000Z

This is posted up, courtesy of PaulW, in the <comments> to the last post. Here it is again so that folks don't have to go searching for it:

Here is the link to "Heightened neural threat in child victims of family violence"
http://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(11)01139-0

Wednesday 7th December - Enquiry Topic

2011-12-01T01:04:00.003Z

"Are we more than just a bag of chemicals?"

Wednesday 30 Nov 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-11-30T10:47:00.008Z

"Imagine"

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

A funny little song, don't you think? Does it make any sense? What was he trying to say? Or, perhaps you can imagine us talking about something completely other than this?

The New Topic Schedule

2011-11-22T01:39:00.003Z

The New Schedule has now been posted up under the Topic Schedule Tab above. I've left the previous one there so that people can see what we have already talked about.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will be emailing the schedule out to the group membership tomorrow, especially for those who have difficulty getting onto the site

Wednesday 23 November - Enquiry Topic

2011-11-20T14:43:00.003Z

"Can aggression be peacefully resisted?"

A question proposed by: Mary

Most would agree that we need to end aggression in the world; that we should be able to 'learn' to co-exist, embrace, even celebrate our differences and live together in peace, right across the world (eventually at least - whatever the heck that means). Non-aggression therefore seems the only option, for how else can we oppose aggression in order to end it? If we do not hold to this value well, that's a very different issue, but if we do, then a response of equal aggression against the aggressor does nothing surely other than perpetuate aggression? ...Which of course is exactly the opposite of the value we say we hold to... So where does that leave us, an aggression to end all aggression... or what!?

A Quick Word re The Topic Schedule

2011-11-16T22:31:00.006Z

This evening we reached the last topic of the current schedule.

The new Schedule is now being compiled. Watch this space. Meanwhile please note that suggestions for enquiry topics should be emailed to Ray (raymisnt@gmail.com) as soon as possible for inclusion on the upcoming list.

Best wishes for the coming season ...to all of you from Ray

On The Fringe - Formerly the Shakespeare

2011-11-13T18:33:00.003Z

Hello Everyone.
I went to a meeting Saturday at the new Arts venue ' On the Fringe'. It's at the establishment formerly known as the Shakespeare (pub), just on the roundabout off of Eastbank bridge. After some really interesting discussion with the new proprietor, I've decided to get involved in creating a new (second) PiPs group in Southport (this is in addition to the 'Albert' of course). This new group, again fronted by myself, at least to begin with, will be meeting Thursdays at 7:00pm. Kick-off has been set provisionally for January 12th, 2012 (oh dear, I'm getting older every year!).

Watch the press for more details. Hopefully there'll be an article in the local paper(s) over the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, get yourselves along to this new and exciting Southport venue... they have some really great stuff scheduled over the coming weeks and months, some of which has already premiered at the Edinburgh festival I hear, and attracted some wonderful reviews. There's plenty to see, not least: art, comedy, live music, poetry and theatre... Pick up a leaflet ... I'll be scanning in and posting up their schedule in due course. We need to support centres like these, we really do.

Read the links ... then, watch this space...!

Southport Visitor
On The Fringe - Grand Opening
Simon Pennicott’s Jacques Brel play Une Vie a Mille Temps at 'on the Fringe'
New Southport Arts Venue
Follow...

Ray

Wednesday 16 Nov 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-11-12T11:07:00.004Z

"Is it Healthy to Live Without Stress?"

An interesting question. There is a mountain of material out there on how to overcome stress; too much to even consider posting it up here. Besides, I'm sure we'll all have our own opinion on the matter; at least the "overcoming it" bit. But what's good about it..? That's quite a different issue; an interesting viewpoint for us to consider.

It'll be interesting to see how well we stay 'on topic' with this one!

See you all Wednesday...

Wednesday 9 November 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-11-03T20:07:00.005Z

Vegetarianism & Environmental Ethics

As you can see there's a link beneath the post title above. I'm not recommending anyone watch this film, as it isn't pleasant viewing. That said it seems to me a pretty good account of what happens around the world and the manner in which all of our supermarkets and shops veritably overflow with animal-based product. It is emotive I grant you but it's also the price we pay, no, they must pay for the fact that we humans consume them, our fellow 'earthlings'.

We don't have to consume them. It seems to me to be a clear choice we make, or perhaps we don't make yet never really question. Above all, the film made me reflect seriously upon what it was that I was doing, or was party to being done, in my name or seemingly for my benefit. Seems to me that is a fact, and there is no way of avoiding it.

At least now I think about what I am doing, yet even so this still leaves me open to the accusation of doing very little besides that about it.

I will try to find some more material to support our forthcoming discussion so please keep checking back here, today and tomorrow.

Ray

The Alternative Treatment Event

2011-10-28T09:36:00.006+01:00

One of our group members has kindly let us know about an event this coming Saturday, 29 October 2011.

The Alternative Treatment Event
Adult Education Centre
Cambridge Road
Seaforth
Liverpool
L21 1EZ (click 4 map)

10am til 5pm
Admission £2

Your chance to relax, de-stress and enjoy a multitude of alternative therapies and stalls. To find out more about the Event and the treatments on offer check the website for more details
... Also find them on facebook

Wednesday 2 Nov, 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-10-27T09:07:00.004+01:00

The Existence of Evil...?

I added the question mark at the end. It doesn't show up on the Schedule. I think it needs to be more of a question than a statement though. Don't you agree?

So, what do YOU think...?

...When we or anyone else does bad stuff are we simply enacting, manifesting if you like something that exists in the world, exists in the ether, in its own right, outside of us? Or are we simply doing evil? In other words am I the agent/cy that brings about evil in the world or am I just a victim, taken over by something (some thing separate from me, that is) for which I cannot be held responsible, not directly at least?

It's been said hasn't it, that people often say they can feel evil? Here, they seem to be describing a thing that is, well, palpable: it exists around them, separate from them, it's a thing to be feared, avoided, even exorcised!

The topic of course errs towards religion and I'm sure we will explore it at least partly in those terms but I do believe we can approach the subject without, necessarily, resorting to an entirely spiritual language. I pride myself on at least trying to be open to all possibilities. In the interests of open dialogue can we, even temporarily, suspend belief? Perhaps approach this topic by presenting beliefs (and there are many variations available to us) as merely potential explanations, carrying no more or less weight or being no more or less valid than their non-spiritual counterparts.

The topic itself of course brings up issues of personal responsibility, culpability, blame... awareness even. We may talk of a world that harbours evil: evil things, evil doers, evil intents. A world, past and present, that is awash with the evidences of evil. But what are we really dealing with here... is it evil as a thing or evil as an action, borne of a thought and enacted by yours truly i.e. ourselves?

I look forward to a good dialogue...

Ray

Wednesday 26th Oct - Enquiry Topic

2011-10-26T09:34:00.002+01:00

The Rights and Limits of Privacy
Presented by: Ray

On Youth Culture

2011-10-13T10:36:00.000+01:00

Following yesterday's enquiry re Deschooling Society, I found this article to be an extrememly interesting read. Though it was written it appears back in the mid 1970's, first reading it whilst not knowing that fact didn't lead me to feel it was outdated in any way. In fact I thought it was still highly relevant to the situation today.

Let me know what you think..?

The link is under the post title but, just in case you missed that, here it is again:

Wednesday 12 Oct - Enquiry Topic

2011-10-09T09:35:00.003+01:00

Deschooling Society
Presented by: Paul

"... the institutionalization of education tends towards the institutionalization of society and ... ideas for de-institutionalizing education may be a starting point for a de-institutionalized society."

This article (and also this article) give/s a good outline of the ideas behind the topic title. Hopefully all will get a chance to read through these and perhaps other references to Ivan Illich's ideas before we commence our enquiry.

PiPs is 10 Years Old!!!

2011-10-04T09:27:00.001+01:00

Philosophy in Pubs is ten years old this week...

Yes we have been going for a whole decade so we've arranged an evening of celebration.

It's to be held this Friday (7th October) upstair at the Ship & Mitre (Dale St, City Centre) from 7pm onwards. It will be a relaxed affair with food provided.

Wednesday 5 October 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-10-01T23:46:00.013+01:00

"Is Science our Saviour?"

There's something about science..., something it seems, we never really think about that much, or talk about. Now, we talk about science a great deal, understandably; we debate its findings, we discuss its myriad wonderous discoveries, we question its motives, we deride its advocates etc etc, almost always in the name of "better science". Taking the scientific point of view, let us be honest, we assume that as far as understanding our world, our life and our universe is concerned, if we don't know the answers already, then it really is just a matter of time before we will. The scientific method is powerful indeed. No one can deny this fact. It is objective exploration, it goes beyond the fallable, self-interested individual.

We never, however, seem to acknowledge another aspect regarding science: and that is that despite it being the modern-day panacea that renders us as a species capable of finding out absolutely everything about everything, always, or almost always it seems, it, science that is, tends to happen somewhere else and, it, science tends to be 'done' always, or almost always by someone else, and, in both cases, seemingly always, or nearly always by a so-called 'expert', namely: a scientist.

Because of this, and it's hard for me to verbalise this easily, for reasons such as this and others not so far mentioned, science seems to render me impotent. It diminishes me, it makes me 'feel' inadequate to the task of living, inadeqate to the joys of discovery, of finding out things that no one, not anyone before, has ever seen or percieved or imagined. Science, in short (or at least as we commonly percieve it) forcibly removes (or perhaps I should say 'negates') my ability, my right even, to explore, to intuit, to discover, to stumble upon an insight.

It seems that science has forgotten from whence it came: from the accidental, from the unstructured, from the rebellious, from the revolutionary, from the out-of-the-box thought and thinker.

Well, I can't speak for all of course but this sort of bothers me. I'm not even that clear as to why it does, but it does and, I'd like to talk about it...

Wednesday 28 Sept 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-09-28T17:54:00.000+01:00

Why Violence?
A little late posting this week. Apologies. An interesting topic though. Let's see where it takes us.

Violence: late 13c., "physical force used to inflict injury or damage," from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. violence, from L. violentia "vehemence, impetuosity," from violentus "vehement, forcible," probably related to violare (see violation). Weakened sense of "improper treatment" is attested from 1590s.

Seems like a case of the word not being the thing... well not entirely. The interest lies in understanding what we as humans think violence is, why we use it and what we use it for. There's a need to get to the root of this particularly damaging, emotionally perhaps (or perhaps not?) driven form of action.

Wednesday 21st September - Enquiry Topic

2011-09-18T09:22:00.009+01:00

Living With Death - by: Ray
My favourite subject, didn't you know!

~~~~~~~~~

“For to fear death, O Athenians! is nothing else than to appear to be wise, without being so; for it is to appear to know what one does not know. For no one knows but that death is the greatest of all good to man; but men fear it, as if they well knew that it is the greatest of evils. And how is not this the most reprehensible ignorance, to think that one knows what one does not know?”

Phaedo of Socrates, by Plato

~~~~~~~~~

"You must begin with the unknown, with the question, and in the unknown one finds this enormous energy, whereas when you are constantly working from the known, there isn't that energy to penetrate things."

~~~~~~~~~

"Between where you are now and where you'd like to be there's a sort of barrier, or a chasm, and sometimes it's a good idea to imagine that you're already at the other side of that chasm, so that you can start on the unknown side."

Quotations Sourced from here

Southport Writers' Circle

2011-09-14T22:01:00.000+01:00

Introducing the Southport Writers' Circle

Supporting all forms of writing, giving excellent critical encouragement. Experienced and new writers are made very welcome.

The SWC hosts regular local competitions, two international competitions, open mic nights and social events throughout the calendar year.

Want more details? Contact the Secretary: Phil McNulty, either via email: philmcnulty1@gmail.com or telephone on: 0784 374 5316 or visit the website: www.swconline.co.uk

Philosophy In Pubs (PiPs): a grass-roots success story

2011-09-14T10:52:00.004+01:00

The London Philosophy Club

Friday, September 30, 2011, 7:30 PM
@ The Green Man, 383 Euston Rd London NW1 3AU, London (map)

... Are very pleased to host Paul Doran and other PIPs members to talk about PIPs and its vision of philosophy for the people. What inspired them to set the group up, how sessions are run, what are the challenges, and what can the LPC and other philosophy groups learn from its experience?

Reminder: Poems in Pubs - Thursday 15 Sep. 2011

2011-09-13T15:28:00.000+01:00

Their usual third Thursday afternoon of poetry in the pub. Thomas Hardy this time. Not just a great story teller, but a fine poet as well.

More Here...

Wednesday 14 September 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-09-11T20:24:00.005+01:00

"An Acceptable Sacrifice?" by: Ray/Forum

Please take a listen to the following audio. The extract is sourced from the website 'Philosophy Bites' and features A.C.Grayling speaking on the topic: "Bombing Civilians in Wartime"

Our topic this week was proposed by David, who writes:

"Bismarck once said in 1875 that Bosnia was 'not worth the bones of a single Pomeranian musketeer'. How many British and American soldiers killed in the invasion of Japan would have been acceptable in order to avoid the dropping of atomic bombs and the resultant deaths of hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children? How do you calculate such a 'Butcher's Bill'?"

Fascinating

2011-09-07T15:10:00.006+01:00

Wednesday 7 September 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-09-01T10:16:00.012+01:00

"Is there such a thing as forgiveness?" by: Mary/Forum

This week's topic was suggested by Mary. She is unable to make it this week but has provided her thoughts on the subject for us to read and reflect upon. By way of further stimulus please take a look at the other two articles as well:
1. Mary's Thoughts
2. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article598532.ece
3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4471440.stm

"Unforgiveness makes you a victim and why should I be a victim? Anthony spent his life forgiving. His life stood for peace, love and forgiveness and I brought them up that way."

Gee Walker, 2005

"The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."

Mahatma Gandhi

"Know all and you will pardon all."

Thomas A’Kempis

The Philosophers Arms - BBC R4

2011-09-01T10:15:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the Philosopher's Arms - a place where moral dilemmas, philosophical ideas and the real world meet for a chat and a drink.

Each week Matthew Sweet takes a dilemma with real philosophical pedigree and sees how it matters in the everyday world. He'll be joined by a cast of philosophers and attendant experts to show how the dilemmas we face in real life connect us to some of the trickiest philosophical problems ever thought up. En route we'll learn about the thinking of such luminaries as Kant, Hume, Aristotle and Wittgenstein. All recorded in a pub in front of a live audience ready to tap their glasses and demand clarity and ask - what's this all got to do with me?

Producer David Edmonds.

Broadcasts

Tue 6 Sep 2011 @ 21:00 BBC Radio 4 (FM only)
Wed 7 Sep 2011 @ 16:30 BBC Radio 4

Wednesday 31 August 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-08-26T09:57:00.003+01:00

"Family Values" Presented by: Catherine

What do you associate when you hear media or people talking about the need for "family values"?

What is your concept of family and what is the demarcation of family" that we have (who is included and who is excluded)?

Think about some of the family values that we hold today, and consider the values of the past and the trajectory for the future. How have we changed and come to value/reject certain things?

What are different types of families and how do these types influence values?

Wednesday 24th August 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-08-24T12:54:00.006+01:00

"The Spiritual Supermarket" Presented by: Ray

We read of a:

A Lost Civilisation: While not speaking of Atlantis by name, the central dramatis personae in [this] narrative is a lost civilisation with advanced scientific, technological and spiritual knowledge that existed down to some 12,500 years ago....
of Cultural Diffusion: Following the destruction of this civilisation at the time the last Ice Age, a small number of refugees fled with their advanced knowledge and colonised ancient "primitive" cultures. When the colonists left, the cultures returned to their former, "savage" state.
of Myths as Historical Narrative: this momentous contact between advanced and primitive societies is recalled through the latters' myths and religious narratives in the stories of "Gods" visiting the earth, myths of Golden Ages, the Biblical Deluge and so on...

A question then:

...Are [these and other] ideas something one buys/consumes and, by extension, part of a larger fringe [market] comprising books, television series, videos, lecture tours, magazines, internet sites and chat rooms? Clearly, [they] are perfectly consistent with the commodity relations and the privative consumption that characterises advanced capitalism; ...something in fact that one only consumes, not affecting for example the customers' social identity, [they] do not impose burdens on the reader with moral prescriptions, duties, rituals, obligations, a socio-political agenda or plans for action

.... An ideal product then, on the shelves of the spiritual supermarket?

Update

2011-08-23T16:01:00.004+01:00

* Check out Latest Topic Schedule - See link in [Schedule] page above
* Check out latest documents - See links in [Downloads] page above
* Check out latest links - See [Links] page above
* Check out new calendar - See [Events] page above

We should all perhaps take a look...?

2011-08-19T11:22:00.001+01:00

I donate to Amnesty International. That is my choice though maybe not everyones. I don't want the PiPs site to become a campaign medium so I wont put this up in full on the screen but everyone should at least take a look at this link

...I didn't know about it until this morning and I do bank, in a way at least, with RBS. If what you see moves you to action then use this link to find out how you can support what Amnesty are doing.

Break, this Coming Week - 17 Aug, 2011

2011-08-13T14:50:00.008+01:00

In case anyone may have forgotton, we are having a break this week, that's Wednesday 17th August, 2011 and will resume our enquiries on Wednesday 24th August, 2011. I'll send out an email to members, probably tomorrow.
Plus, I'll be posting details of the new Topic Schedule in all the usual places well beforehand i.e. in the Albert, on this website and on the main PiPs website.

See you all on the 24th!

Anyone with ideas for Topics, can either email me direct or post them as Comment beneath this post.

Brief Audio History

2011-08-09T19:52:00.008+01:00

**JUST POSTED [see the 'About Us' page -or- use the above title link]

A brief audio history of Philosophy in Pubs:
Using audio extracts taken from the 2011 conference (the first in its history) and other dictated sources, this short piece of audio introduces Philosophy in Pubs and provides an insight into some of the personalities involved in the creation of this growing network of like-minded individuals, briefly outlining the vision they set out to realise in Liverpool almost exactly 10 years ago.

Wednesday 10 August - Enquiry Topic

2011-08-09T11:31:00.002+01:00

"Existentialism" Presented by: Paul

A little light reading for those who can and will make it to tomorrow's enquiry...

Take a look here:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism#What_is_existentialism.3F

Wednesday 3 August - Enquiry Topic

2011-08-02T16:50:00.002+01:00

"What is Friendship?" - Presented by Liz

According to Aristotle there are three kinds of friendship

(Nicomachean Ethics, chapters 8 & 9 – check it out)

Friendship based on utility
Friendship based on pleasure
Friendship based on goodness

Friendship based on utility concerns being friends with someone for what they have which is useful to you. They may have money or property or be well connected or anything you can make use of.

Friendship based on pleasure concerns being friends with someone for the pleasure you derive from them: they are funny and make you laugh, or have something you draw pleasure from

Friendship based on goodness concerns love for the other, not for anything you can gain, but selflessly for them. This kind of friendship is only possible between equally good people.

Some questions raised:

Is friendship necessary?
Does ‘friendship’ mean different things to different people?
Do you have to do something to be a friend? (Is it an activity or a state)
Does friendship require equality? (equal affection, caring and support etc)
Do we choose who shall be our friends? Can we?
Does friendship remain over long absences?
Do Aristotle’s categories/types stand up? Are they of any use?
When you wrong a friend are you their friend?
Are we always a friend to our friends? Is that possible or is it probable?
Is there anything intrinsic to friendship?
Will friendship take on different forms in the future and has it been different in the past?

Wednesday 27th July 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-07-26T17:40:00.003+01:00

"Freedom and Obligation" - Presented as an Open Forum

I'm a little late in posting this week's topic. For that I apologise. I've taken a really quick glance around the web to try and find some basis for our discussion. The only references I've so far found refer to Bibilical sources, such as Galatians in the New Testament. It may be that we touch on religion in our discussion but we probably need some secular/philosophical sources in addition.

A few questions then:

When we use the word obligation in conjunction with freedom are we really meaning responsibility?
Isn't freedom as an actuality or even as a concept difficult to pin down; its interpretation is bound to vary radically between individuals?
Obligation on the other hand seems easier: e.g. The act of binding oneself by social, legal, or moral ties...A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty ... Doesn't this bring to mind Russeau's (and other's) Social Contract?
Isn't there a 'cost' to the individual (i.e. through their social obligations) that membership of a community brings with it?
Doesn't society, bounded and controlled by laws, even if they are seemingly for the good of the majority, obviate any chance of individual freedom, at least in practice? And..
Aren't we doomed to remain in a form of 'bondage' simply because we are socially dependent upon one another in order to survive?

Well, I hope this helps rather than confuses. See you all tomorrow...

2011-07-23T11:10:00.009+01:00

And here is another one for you to try; This next one is enough to make a grown man want to cry... well I did... [Click Here]

Wednesday 20th July 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-07-15T11:51:00.002+01:00

"Belief in God(s)" - Presented by: Helen

Helen has provided a little information for us to read up on before we get to discuss her chosen topic. Unfortunately Helen hasn't got access to the web but I was able to speak to her briefly over the phone to get an idea of her thinking on the subject. Although she doesn't propose any definite starting point for our discussion, Helen's more recent interests in the realm of belief or perhaps more correctly spirituality are the Baha'i faith (http://www.bahai.org.uk/) and the following two books, the former which came out as a film starring Julia Roberts in 2010. Helen was formerly a member of the Christian Faith.

Eat, Pray, Love
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eat,_Pray,_Love

The Alchemist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alchemist_%28novel%29

PIPs Topics

2011-07-13T22:07:00.000+01:00

Hi everybody,

We're trying to come up with some new topics here. Any suggestions of what we can talk about in our PIPs meetings? Rack your brains and come up with an exciting topic (or several)!

Cheers!

Wednesday 13th July 2011 - Enquiry Topic

2011-07-12T18:48:00.001+01:00

"What is the Good Life?" - Presented by Maureen.

First Post

2011-07-12T18:00:00.000+01:00

I broke my ankle a couple of weeks back. I'm in a cast now for the next six weeks or so. I'm getting pretty fed up already. Although I'm naturally pretty lazy, so sitting around doing nothing is fine when it is done so by choice... being forced to sit around doing nothing is quite a different matter.

Anyhow, let's get down to business. I set up this Blog a few years back. I wanted a place to post about my own experiences of living, searching, trying to make sense of my world.

Back in 2005 I stumbled upon some people in Liverpool who had set up a network of philosophy groups. At that time there were only a handful of groups in and around Liverpool. Most of them met weekly and usually in pubs mainly. The group I joined was in Stamps Wine Bar, Crosby and although that group still exists it's moved venue a few times since then and is now in the Victoria Hotel, Waterloo.

Since I got involved Philosophy in Pubs (PiPs) itself has slowly kept growing. There are about 40 groups now, about 15 in Liverpool. I believe there may even be a couple outside of the UK (well, give it long enough and there will be). I've setup two groups. The first nearby where I used to work in Childwall, Liverpool and most recent in my home town of Southport, just north of Liverpool. The Southport group is based in the Albert Hotel by the main railway station. I'd always wanted to get a group going in Southport. In fact I was surprised someone else didn't beat me to it. It's been a long time coming.

I thought it would be nice to have a website where I and the other group members could post comments about the enquiry discussions we have; like such as thoughts on how well we think the discussions went, along with any after-thoughts that come to us afterwards. To keep things simple I'm revamping this old Blog. I haven't written in here for ages and it's a shame to waste the time and effort I spent setting it up in the first place.

Hope you enjoy reading and commenting on the posts.

Ray

A place to be honest ...

2008-03-28T11:49:00.000Z

The Blog title is taken from the title of a book by G.I. Gurdjieff, which incidentally, I own but have not yet read.