Sydney’s Philosophy in the Café - Philo Agora.

We meet at the Fair Trade Coffee Company, 33 Glebe Point Road, Glebe, at 7.30pm on alternate Tuesdays.

A fortnightly exchange of ideas on the issues facing ourselves and our world within a philosophical format. A talk relating to a philosopher, philosophy or philosophical theme.

This Tuesday, September 8, Mary Walker. "Parfit on Persons: Does it matter what we are?"

Derek Parfit argues against considering ourselves to be entities that exist separately from the brain, body, and series of mental and physical events. He takes this to imply that we should be less concerned about our future selves than we usually are, and should alter many of our practices and values. But does this necessarily follow? I consider other possible responses to the idea that our 'selves' are something less than we thought they were.

Mary Jean Walker is a PhD candidate at Macquarie University, working on personal and narrative identity.

Come early from 6pm and join the regulars in a meal before the presentation. Philo Agora's home is the Fair Trade Coffee Company at 33 Glebe Point Road.  This is a coffee house with its own particular ambience offering specialty fairtrade coffee and a relaxing spot to sit around and talk with new friends, both before and after the Philo Agora talks.  It is located close to the Parramatta Road and can be easily reached by public transport.  Take advantage of the free, three hour parking in the Broadway shopping complex.

Philo Agora's format is a talk for 20 minutes. The presenter then answers any questions of clarification from the floor. We then take a break of 10 minutes for more coffees and to mull over the talk and discuss it within small groups. The microphone is then passed around the audience in turn for comment, opinions, and often counter argument to a maximum of 3 minutes. The presenter is then given a 5 minute right of reply. We usually finish up at 9pm.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday night.

Regards,

Cara, Hazel, Peter & Sam.