Beccles

Philosophy/History of Ideas

A group that would meet monthly to discuss the big ideas and dilemmas that have concerned and interested people for thousands of years. We will consider how the issues affect our lives today and look at the writings of philosophers and other thinkers through the ages .
REQUIREMENTS: Interest in philosophy and ideas; willingness to do some reading each month.
MEETING: 3rd Thursday of each month at 10 am at the Quaker Meeting Room, Beccles. Please note that the next meeting will be on Thursday the 19th of September.

When we met in August, Lesley Bonner tackled the concept of Post-Modernism in a Trumpian world. Firstly, there was a brief survey of Modernism followed by the path to Post-Modernism through thinkers such as Derrida, Foucault and Lacan but the main focus was on Jean Baudrillard and his discussion of Simulacra and Simulation. As usual, all this was followed by a fulsome exchange of relevant ideas.

In September, Marilyn Jackson will be following on from her presentation of the concept of the "Sublime" and discussing adjacent issues with reference to Expressionism in Art.

Please bring any additions to our Library and try to circulate the books by returning any that you have borrowed and have finished with for the time being.

I look forward to seeing you all for our September session and hopefully some newcomers as well. If anyone is thinking of joining this group, do not worry if you have no knowledge of Philosophy at this stage. I am keen on initiating people who are completely new to Philosophy and the History of Ideas. I would like to form a sub group. Confidence in handling ideas at a below-surface level, will come incrementally . Since "History of Ideas" is also covered, there is enough here to interest many people. The important thing is that you will gradually begin to look at issues more thoughtfully, informed by the ideas of great thinkers of the past and present. Come and sample a session and have a chat with members of the group.

All for now.

Parvez