Philosophy Navigation
Department of Philosophy
New Philosophers' Club
Delve into the captivating world of philosophy with fellow enthusiasts! At the Philosophy Club, we break away from stringent academic jargon to engage in enriching discussions on diverse philosophical topics. Whether you're a philosophy major, a student of another discipline, or simply someone curious about life's big questions, our doors are open to all. Each week, we explore a new topic, allowing members to share their insights, ask questions, and expand their horizons.
Where? Gest Lounge (2nd floor of Gest Center)
When? Every Thursday night, 7-8 p.m.
Refreshments: we'll be accompanied by tea, coffee, and light snacks to fuel our conversations.
Come, ponder, and philosophize with us!
Spring 2024 Club Meetings
- February 1: Humor and Philosophy - Laughter as a Philosophical Puzzle: Understanding humor and its role in society examining why we laugh and the deeper implications of humor in human culture.
- February 8: Interpersonal Philosophy: The Art of Connection - What Does It Mean to be Close to Someone? Examining the Philosophical Underpinnings of Relationships in the Modern Era
- February 15: Theology - Let’s talk about god. Why do we believe what we believe? What role does religion play in a post-modern world?
- February 22: Human Rights and Justice – What does it mean to have a right to something? Should our governments be obligated to proactively secure our rights, or is their role to simply not violate them?
- February 29: Homi Bhabha - Come and learn about the 2024 Altherr Symposium speaker’s ideas and work with the senior philosophy majors!
- March 7: Rest, Productivity, and Social Theory – How can we move past our productivity complexes and late-stage capitalist guilt? Let’s brainstorm how to have a restful and mindful spring break.
- March 21: Restorative Justice: Healing, Revenge, or Punishment? - Exploring the ethical and philosophical grounds of restorative justice in contrast to traditional punitive systems.
- March 28: Queer Philosophy – What even is a gender? Are our social identity categories real or constructed? How does thinking philosophy from a queer perspective change our approaches to traditional philosophy?
- April 4: Astrology, Magic, and Pseudoscience - What’s Your Sign, and Does It Matter? Let’s talk about forbidden knowledge and the occult —bring a witch!
- April 11: Philosophy of Music – What does your favorite song/genre have to say about the world? Bring your playlists, and let’s talk about it.
- April 18: PA Primary Election, April 23 – Let’s talk about our future president, civic responsibility, and political ethics.
- April 25: Nihilism and Hope In this chaotic world, how do we find meaning, purpose, and hope? How can we come together and lift each other up?