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Past meeting
The Evanston Socrates Cafe April Meeting
(2 ratings)
Meeting Description
Who
- We welcome anyone who has an interest in discussing topics in a Socratic manner, with the intent to explore how words and phrases are used in our culture and other cultures now and in the past. Also, how do we in the room use the words and phrases.
Why
- Can there be a just war? What is good leadership? Is the US a democracy? What is courage? Do conversations like these interest you? Come join us, bring your curiosity and intrigue, and let's explore ideas.
Details
Socrates Cafes usually run about 2 hours with a 10 minute break after 1 hour. At the start, any rules decided on will be mentioned and discussed if necessary. Then, a topic is chosen for the evening in whatever manner the group decides, followed by the discussion. An excellent book on Socrates Cafe is "Six Questions of Socrates" by Christopher Phillips, the founder of Socrates Cafe.
Group dynamics usually turns out to be an important issue. What does the group do if someone wants to dominate the group? How would Socrates handle such a situation? Therefore, regular Socratic topics are discussed as well as group dynamic topics. Socrates Cafe offers a venue where people can explore both a general topic and how the group works together toward the goal of exploration and understanding of the topic.
The first meeting and first few meetings necessarily include time learning the process and establishing rules and goals if the group chooses. I have been to many Socrates Cafe meetings and started 2 in 2005 in Western Wisconsin in the cities of Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire. Socrates Cafe is for those who are curious and enjoy deeper thought provoking discussions in a non argumentative manner. What is curiosity?
Now, we need to pick a meeting place. Usually the back of a larger coffee shop works well or a restaurant like Panera Bread. Please email me with suggestions at dbaker3751@gmail.com. We will want to inform the manager of the shop or restaurant if it is OK to use their facility.
Kathy
"I didn't want to leave. It was refreshing to practice assertive question asking. I almost never find anyone who I feel is on the same page. I feel like I am in outer space, ideologically. I am usually concerned that communicating my differences will be upsetting. Here I felt like I was finally actually INVITED to let my ideological differences show, as they made for great lines of questioning. Normally, it bothers people to be asked so many questions. Putting the conversation through perspective shifts caused by penetrating questions can cause others to feel ashamed or threatened or derailed, but these guys were great - they seemed to regard them as an adventure rather than a threat. We also had a lot of really kick-ass topics. Here were some: Is it possible for one to define a stable foundation of truth in morality (AKA - can you determine truth without the help of empiricism?). What is the nature of God and is it man made or are we God made? "