Philosophers' Café
A Meeting of
Minds
Fall theme: The Examined Life.
Philosophers' Café brings together UW-Green Bay students and community members for open, friendly and respectful dialogue on important issues. This fall, the series is also the anchor for a new UW-Green Bay course, Philosophers' Café — students will join the public conversation and dig deeper in seminar discussion. Join us on alternating Wednesdays at the Mauthe Center as we explore "The Examined Life" through moderated discussions led by faculty and community experts. From questions of ethics and meaning to the pressures of modern distraction, we'll dig into the ideas that shape how we live. All are welcome — no philosophy background required.
WHen?
Twice each month on Wednesdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. But dates vary so check the schedule.
Current Schedule
Wednesday, September 23
The Examined Life in a Distracted Age
- Led by: Robert Riordan, Lecturer in Philosophy, UW-Green Bay
- Time/Location: 5:00-6:30 p.m. at The Mauthe Center
What did Socrates mean when he said the unexamined life isn't worth living—and can we even manage it in an age built to distract us? We’ll examine one account of what it means to live an examined life, why that's so important to us, and the challenges our present age of distraction poses to it.
Wednesday, October 7
Using Anger for Good
- Led by: Ryan Martin, Dean of CAHSS and Professor of Psychology, UW-Green Bay
- Time/Location: 5:00-6:30 p.m. at The Mauthe Center
Anger gets a bad reputation, but it's one of our most important emotions. In this conversation, we'll explore what anger is really trying to tell us, why it so often gets us into trouble, and how to use it as a force for positive change. We’ll discuss practical strategies for responding to anger in ways that improve your decision making and help you use this powerful emotion for good.
Wednesday, October 21
Does an Examined Life Need Nature? Yes!
- Led by: Chris Diehm, Director of the Environmental Ethics Program, UW-Stevens Point
- Time/Location: 5:00-6:30 p.m. at The Mauthe Center
People sometimes think that to “examine life” means turning inward in self-reflection or contemplation. This talk argues it is equally important to turn outward towards nature. With reference to both philosophy and empirical literature, the case is made that when we examine human life, we find that it is best lived with gratitude, humility, love, and care for the natural world.
Wednesday, November 4
Title and speaker TBD
Wednesday, November 18
Title and speaker TBD
Wednesday, December 2
Title and speaker TBD
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Reach Out
Does God exist? Do we survive our bodily death? Does life have a meaning? What is the best life a person can lead? Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Professor and department-chair Hye-Kyung Kim, is available to ponder your philosophical questions both great and small.