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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum
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DTSTART:20220101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260408T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260408T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20260408T032044Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T032044Z
UID:3618-1775674800-1775682000@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We are finishing our discussion of the book\, The Subversive Simone Weil: A Life in Five Ideas\, by Robert Zaretsky. The last parts of the book cover Weil’s concepts of rootedness and her own mystical version of Catholicism. Even though most people aren’t convinced by the latter\, they still regard her analysis of social roots as her primary contribution to philosophy. However you may feel\, we hope you’re rooting for us as we dig into her ideas.\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-92/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/The-Subversive-Simone-Weil-A-Life-in-Five-Ideas-.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260311T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260311T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20260218T022135Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T022135Z
UID:3577-1773255600-1773262800@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will begin discussing the book\, The Subversive Simone Weil: A Life in Five Ideas (2023)\, by Robert Zaretsky. This book is available new for around $15 in either paperback or as an eBook. For the 11th we’ll read the introduction and chapters 1 and 2.\nSimone Weil was a 20th century French philosopher and mystic who was only 34 when she died\, but her writings have been enormously influential. She strongly believed that one’s philosophy should be lived. The MISF Philosophy Study Group thinks that\, too\, and will do it if we ever figure things out.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-91/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/The-Subversive-Simone-Weil-A-Life-in-Five-Ideas-.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260211T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260211T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20260120T183023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260120T183023Z
UID:3548-1770836400-1770843600@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will conclude our discussion of the book\, The Boxer and the Goalkeeper: Sartre Vs Camus\, by Andy Martin. In spite of rumors to the contrary\, our next book will not be The Commie and the Nazi: Marx vs Heidegger. There is a possibility that we could do The Wrestler and the Fencer: Plato vs Descartes\, however. But whatever is decided\, it will be done by those who show up. Jus’ sayin’.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-90/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Boxer-and-the-Goalkeeper.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260114T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260114T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20251218T033534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251218T033534Z
UID:3542-1768417200-1768424400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION: We will be studying the book\, The Boxer and the Goalkeeper: Sartre Vs Camus (2012)\, by Andy Martin. A new copy of this book can be had for around $20\, but there seems to be plenty of used copies. It appears that there is no e-book available in this country.\nThe book is about the friendship and eventual falling out of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. It’s aimed at the general reader who has some familiarity with philosophy\, or at least existentialism\, and is not a difficult read. It even has pictures. For the 14th\, we’ll read the first 10 chapters. That’s READ the first 10 chapters\, not just look at the pictures. The book is not that easy.\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-89/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/The-Boxer-and-the-Goalkeeper.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251210T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251210T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20251206T044405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251206T045033Z
UID:3527-1765393200-1765400400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:For this meeting we are going to discuss three different existentialist works of fiction\, two by Jean Paul Sartre and one by Earnest Hemingway. The former includes the short story “The Wall” and the play “No Exit”. The Hemingway work is another short story\, “A Clean\, Well-Lighted Place.”\n\n\nAll these are available online. Commentaries on each of them are also available. Read the three and see what they say to you regarding your existence. I mean\, beyond just the fact that you’re still alive.\n\nCurt\n \nHere are three sites they can be found.\n\nThe Wall\nhttps://www.scribd.com/document/662934896/OceanofPDF-com-the-Wall-Jean-Paul-Sartre\n\nNo Exit\nhttps://ia600303.us.archive.org/13/items/NoExit/NoExit.pdf\n\nA Clean\, Well-Lighted Place\nHemingway pages
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-88/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Existentiaism.jpg-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251112T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251112T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20251107T150858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251107T151118Z
UID:3509-1762974000-1762981200@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:The MISF Philosophy Study Group is going to have their next meeting on Wednesday\, November 12\, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. We will conclude our discussion of the book\, Caste: The Origins of our Discontents\, by Isabel Wilkerson. In the last parts of her book\, Wilkerson discusses the more subtle\, unconscious ways caste can impact society; the resilience of caste; and what can be done to counter this.\n \nAt this point I planned on including a really clever comment designed to make everyone smile. However\, considering the gravity of the topic and our current political climate\, saying something amusing didn’t seem appropriate. Even if you don’t attend our meeting\, I hope you can still read this excellent book as well as other writings concerning our current situation. I regard today’s circumstances as an existential threat to our democracy\, fueled by scapegoating and racism. But the MISF Philosophy Study Group is doing their part by eliminating all of our hereditary positions. (Sorry\, couldn’t help it.)\n\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-87/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Caste-The-Origins-of-our-Discontents.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251008T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20251008T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20251001T143537Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T143643Z
UID:3491-1759950000-1759957200@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will continue discussing the book\, Caste: The Origins of our Discontents\, by Isabel Wilkerson\, by reading Sections 3 and 4. In these sections Wilkerson gets into the heart of how caste operates\, and it’s not very pretty. We hope that you can join us. All of our regulars should be there\, but some of us are not very pretty either. \n  \n 
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-86/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Caste-The-Origins-of-our-Discontents.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250910T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250910T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250812T030842Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T033209Z
UID:3461-1757530800-1757538000@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will begin discussing a new book\, Caste: The Origins of our Discontents (2020)\, by Isabel Wilkerson. The book focuses on race in the U.S. (Wilkerson is black)\, but examines the topic broadly and includes comparisons with the caste system of India and the discriminations carried out by Nazi Germany. For the 10th we’ll read Parts I and II.\n\n \n\nThe book is readily available and lists for about $21 in paperback and $9 as an eBook\, but can be found for much less. It has won several awards\, including the Time magazine nonfiction book of the year. It was also nominated for several more\, including the National Book Award\, the Kirkus Prize\, and two different PEN America Awards. And to top it off\, we’ll be discussing it in the award-winning MISF Philosophy Study Group\, having captured the Best Philosophical Discussion Group in Minnesota for 2024. Or\, at least\, we would have if there was such a thing.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-85/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Caste-The-Origins-of-our-Discontents.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250806T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250806T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250720T033820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250720T035204Z
UID:3450-1754506800-1754514000@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will finish our discussion of the book\, How Nature Works: The Science of Self-organized Criticality\, by Per Bak. For those who will have read the book and will attend the meeting\, you can\, of course\, expect to understand how nature works. However\, this creates a problem. After so many of us comprehend this\, there really is no longer any reason to keep this group going. However\, we do feel some obligation to explain these findings to those who come to subsequent meetings and who are not as enlightened as we will be – sort of an intellectual noblesse oblige. So\, we’ll keep at it for a while\, anyway. 😊 \n 
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-84/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/How-Nature-Works.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250709T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250709T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250617T030336Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250617T030336Z
UID:3412-1752087600-1752094800@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will continue our discussion of Per Bak’s book\, How Nature Works: The Science of Self-organized Criticality\, by reading chapters 4-7. One of the remarkable aspects of self-organized criticality (SOC) is that it can arise from very simple rules but lead to highly complex\, unpredictable systems. Since this book is an introductory overview of SOC\, it follows the same pattern. It explains things with basic\, simple ideas\, but the consequences can be mind-boggling complex. So\, if you think you’d like to join us but are worried about not being able to catch up because you’d have to read lots of abstruse\, technical concepts\, in actuality this book is something that even a member of the MISF Philosophy Study Group can understand. Well\, okay\, maybe the simple ideas part. But the rest is what’s really fun.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-83/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/How-Nature-Works.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250611T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250611T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250522T040629Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T040918Z
UID:3390-1749668400-1749675600@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will be embarking on a new book: How Nature Works: The Science of Self-organized Criticality (1996) by Per Bak. Unfortunately\, this is one of the pricier books that we have selected for our group. All forms of the book – hardcover\, paperback\, and eBook – list for $60. Fortunately\, however\, they can be found for less. As of the time of this writing\, Amazon is offering a new hardcover for $33 and a new paperback for $38; Google Play is offering an eBook for $47 to own and $18 to rent for 90 days. There are also used books available and\, of course\, there is the library. For the 11th we’ll read the first three chapters.\n \nThis book lays out a new way of looking at nature. It’s an examination of how to approach complexity\, from black holes to evolution\, and what that means for what might happen in the future. While the laws of nature are simple\, nature itself is enormously complex. While Newton’s equations can be expressed as just a few variables with basic arithmetic relations\, calculating what’s going on in nature can require some of the most abstract\, complicated mathematics. Please note that there will be a test at the end. Just kidding. But brush up on your calculus just in case.\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-82/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/How-Nature-Works.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250514T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250514T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250415T011531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250415T011754Z
UID:3318-1747249200-1747256400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will finish discussing Simone de Beauvoir’s attempt to build an ethical system for existentialist philosophy\, The Ethics of Ambiguity. Not a few people didn’t think it was possible. Did she succeed? This is for you to decide\, and we’re very interested in what you think. We’re even more interested in how this might fit into your own personal ethical system and how you justify that. If it’s just that you think you deserve more than everyone else\, we have some work to do.\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-81/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Ethics-of-Abiguity.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250409T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250409T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250319T000903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250411T160148Z
UID:3263-1744225200-1744232400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will begin reading Simone de Beauvoir’s attempt to provide an ethical foundation for existentialism\, The Ethics of Ambiguity. This book is available in paperback for about $15 and as an eBook for about $10. Used copies are also available. For the 9th we’ll read Parts I and II.\n\nJust so you know\, there’s nothing ambiguous about the MISF Philosophy Study Group\, though. Our thoughtful members come from a variety of philosophical positions\, although sometimes they can be dead wrong or even a little idiotic or uncertain of where they’re going. But they’re good people\, except when some of them talk out of turn or interrupt someone. Still\, we’re glad to have them\, except when we have to ask someone to leave. However\, you’re all unambiguously welcome to come on the 9th. Most of you\, anyway.\n\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-80/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/The-Ethics-of-Abiguity.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250312T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250312T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250223T202008Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250309T193351Z
UID:3243-1741806000-1741813200@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:During this meeting we will finish our discussion of the book\, The Philosophy of Freedom\, by Rudolf Steiner by reading Parts II and III. In Part I Steiner laid out his concept of how the human mind is constructed and operates. In Part II he tells us all the wonderful things you can do with this mind\, with concluding remarks in Part III. We’d like to note that one of the wonderful things you can do with a human mind is to bring it to our meeting to discuss whether or not you can do the things the way that Steiner says you can. Surprisingly\, he never mentions this option.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-79/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Philosophy-of-Freedom-e1737750182183.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250212T070000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250212T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20250124T202355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T202752Z
UID:3170-1739343600-1739394000@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will be beginning a new book\, The Philosophy of Freedom\, by Rudolf Steiner. Originally published in 1894\, this book has been translated many times and has been very influential in some quarters. A new paperback can cost from $7 to $22 and an ebook from $2 to $10\, depending on the translation. If you don’t want to spend any money\, it can also be found online for free: The Rudolf Steiner archive (https://rsarchive.org/Books/GA004/) has all his books and all English translations available\, and on https://philosophyoffreedom.com/page/download/ you can find the book in various formats. The book has also been published under the titles The Philosophy of Spiritual Activity and Intuitive Thinking as a Spiritual Path.\n \nThe only translation authorized by the Rudolf Steiner is the original one of 1916 by Prof. and Mrs. R.F. Alfred Hoernlé. While considered an accurate translation\, some people criticize it for following too closely to the original German\, thus making it rather stiff-sounding in English. Others think the 1964 translation by Michael Wilson is well-done since he understands Steiner’s thought and spirit and writes in a more natural English. There are other translations – including ones trying to tweak the Hoernlés’ – and you are\, of course\, free to choose whichever one you wish. For the 12th we’ll read the first part\, “Knowledge of Freedom.”\nFinally\, we should note that the book also has been published under several different subtitles\, as well\, but we are going to ignore those. We’ll just call it The Philosophy of Freedom. If you really want to get into something that makes a difficult matter more difficult\, maybe you can involve yourself with the Minnesota State House of Representatives.\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-78/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/The-Philosophy-of-Freedom-e1737750182183.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250106T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250106T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20241226T042041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241226T042041Z
UID:3126-1736190000-1736197200@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:Note that this meeting is the first Monday of the month\, rather than our usual second Wednesday. We will finish our discussion of On the Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche by reading the third treatise\, “What do ascetic ideals mean?” \nIn this treatise Nietzsche wraps up his arguments with further critiques wherever he finds shortcomings and\, rather ambiguously some would say\, presents suggestions on the next steps to take in order to solve the problems he feels he’s identified. As usual\, our group will clear up all these ambiguities and make everything perfectly clear. \nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-77/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-genealogy-of-morals-e1729801125803.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241211T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241211T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20241128T005630Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241128T005835Z
UID:3105-1733943600-1733950800@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will continue our reading of On the Genealogy of Morals by Friedrich Nietzsche by discussing his Second Treatise\, “’Guilt\,’ ‘Bad Conscious\,’ and Related Matters.”\nIf you wish to remain guilt-free with a clean conscious (assuming you have one now (ha\, ha))\, you should show up for this meeting. Watch out for those related matters\, though. \n  \n 
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-76/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-genealogy-of-morals-e1729801125803.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241113T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241113T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20241024T201511Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T045115Z
UID:3031-1731524400-1731531600@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:The MISF Philosophy Study Group meets next on Wednesday\, November 13\, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. For this meeting we will discuss Friedrich Nietzsche’s classic\, On the Genealogy of Morals\, first published in 1887. \nAs a classic\, this book is readily available in many different formats and translations. What has come to be considered the standard translation is that by Walter Kaufmann (called accurate with a faithful interpretation by a Nietzsche scholar)\, though others are also highly regarded\, such as those by Maudemarie Clark and Alan J. Swensen (detailed annotations and helpful commentary)\, Carol Diethe and Keith Ansell-Pearson (scholarly with a thorough analysis)\, and Douglas Smith (clear and accessible). \n \nThe book can be had new in paperback from $5 – $15 and as an ebook from $1 – $12. It is also available online for free at philosophy.ucsc.edu and Project Gutenberg as well as other locations. There are also numerous commentaries and study guides. (For the latter\, check sparknotes.com\, study.com\, and litcharts.com.) For the 13th we’ll read the preface and the first essay\, “’Good and Evil’\, ‘Good and Bad.’” \nThis book is not to be confused with the well-known cladistic analysis of some spore-producing fungi\, The Genealogy of Morels\, by Freddie Niche. \nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-75/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/The-genealogy-of-morals-e1729801125803.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20241021T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20241021T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20241016T174551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T044820Z
UID:3028-1729537200-1729544400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:At our last meeting we discussed the book\, What Would Nietzsche Do?: Philosophical Solutions to Everyday Problems\, by Marcus Weeks. This book took various problems that people may encounter in everyday life and offered solutions to them that some well-known philosophers would have presumably given. Since that book covered just about every major aspect of philosophy\, we decided to zero in on one or two of the problems and examine them a bit closer. \n  \n \nThe one chosen is on page 51: “I’m nearly 50\, FFS! I’m fed up with being an accountant – should I follow my dream of being a rock star?” The philosophical problems the author says he’s covering are\, “How can we find meaning in our lives? Does what we do define who we are? How far are we in control of our own destiny?”You are expected to do some supplemental readings to prepare yourself for this meeting\, but you are free to decide what those readings are. Needless to say\, for this topic they’re legion. Our usual online sources of the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (SEP)\, the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP)\, and Wikipedia do not disappoint. Here’s a couple of recommendations. \nWikipedia has an article covering answers to the meaning of life from an exceptionally broad array of angles\, though it’s rather long.\nThe SEP has an intriguing-looking article on recent philosophical approaches to the meaning of life. \nIf we manage to finish off this topic\, we’ll go on to the problem on page 79: “Is it OK to believe in homeopathy?”\, which the author says addresses the philosophical questions of\, “Is belief less valid than scientific evidence? Is there a foolproof way of proving something is true? What is “scientific method\,” and can it be trusted?” \nAgain\, you are free to choose your own readings\, though you will find once more that they’re so numerous that you’ll need several lifetimes to finish reading them. Try this article on epistemology from the IEP. \nAnd if we should finish determining how everyone should live their life and what Truth is\, I think that will probably be good enough. \nI would also like to apologize for the lateness of this notice. My wife and I decided to defer our tax return to October 15 this year and\, as a result\, I have been spending many hours scrambling to finish this while ignoring just about everything else. I would not only prefer to be reading philosophy\, I would rather be chained to a wall and starved than have to track down 1099’s and understand arcane financial terms. Maybe we’ll just give away our assets – all $3.72. \nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-74/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Would-Nietzsche-Do.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240917T070000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240917T170000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20240818T155124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240820T040912Z
UID:2944-1726556400-1726592400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:Our book for this meeting is What Would Nietzsche Do?: Philosophical Solutions to Everyday Problems (2017) by Marcus Weeks. A paperback version of the book lists for $20 but can be had from Amazon for $14.60; used copies are for sale by Half Price Books for $8\, and an e-book is $4. \n \nThis book is 180 pages of text (minus the pictures\, diagrams\, and sidebars)\, but it’s pretty easy reading compared to most of the material we cover\, so we’re shooting for doing the whole thing for the 11th. If this seems daunting\, do the best you can. And while you’re trying to find time to read it\, just remember to ask yourself\, “What would a member of the MISF Philosophy Study Group do?” The clear answer: They would carefully read the whole book and show up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the meeting. \nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-73/
LOCATION:Zoom Meeting
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/What-Would-Nietzsche-Do.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240814T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240814T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20240725T174859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240726T024439Z
UID:2882-1723662000-1723669200@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:The next meeting of the MISF Philosophy Study Group is on Wednesday\, August 14\, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. We will conclude our discussion of the book\, An Aristotelian Account of Induction: Creating Something from Nothing\, by Louis Groarke with the attendance of the author\, himself. So\, if you would like some clarifications or have any questions\, disagreements\, queries\, problems\, issues\, proposals\, considerations\, objections\, disputes\, or just wish to praise him for his analysis of Aristotle’s concept of induction or to criticize him for the same reason – here is your chance.\nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-72/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Aristotealian-Account-of-Induction-with-border.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240710T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240710T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20240621T015001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240621T015348Z
UID:2772-1720638000-1720645200@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:For this meeting we will discuss chapters 6 and 7 of the book\, An Aristotelian Account of Induction: Creating Something from Nothing\, by Louis Groarke. For those who might need a little persuading to attend\, I have put together a notable argument: \nAll books about Aristotle are delightful. This is a book about Aristotle. Therefore\, this book is delightful. If that doesn’t work for you\, I have a whole boatload of other syllogisms that might. \nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-71/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Aristotealian-Account-of-Induction-with-border.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240612T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240612T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20240514T140104Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240514T140104Z
UID:2291-1718218800-1718226000@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:The MISF Philosophy Study Group plans to have its next meeting on Wednesday\, June 12\, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. We will be continuing our discussion of the book An Aristotelian Account of Induction: Creating Something from Nothing by Louis Groarke\, by reading chapters 4 and 5. Who thought induction could be so complicated? And so much fun!
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-70/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Aristotealian-Account-of-Induction-with-border-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240508T070000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240508T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20240423T042632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240528T025837Z
UID:1553-1715151600-1715202000@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:  \nWe will continue our discussion of the book\, An Aristotelian Account of Induction: Creating Something from Nothing by Louis Groarke\, by reading chapter 3. In this chapter\, the author\, having finished his survey and critique of concepts of induction falling between Aristotle and contemporary philosophy\, starts to dig deeper into what Aristotle regarded as inductive reasoning. We are hoping that reading this will induce you to reason seriously about coming to our meeting so that we can induct you into our membership. Deductively\, it’s a no-brainer.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-69/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Aristotealian-Account-of-Induction-with-border-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240425T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240425T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102724
CREATED:20220903T165450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240425T024422Z
UID:435-1714071600-1714078800@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:For this meeting we will discuss the topic of “Power and Discourse” by reading three short and very accessible articles which can be found online. \nPowercube \n        https://www.powercube.net/analyse-power/ \n Okay\, this is not really an article\, but it serves the purpose of a good introduction to non-coercive power. Go down to the bottom of the list under “In this\nsection” and click on “Other approaches to power” and read the series of pages that follow. \nMichel Foucault: Discourse \nRachel Adams \nhttps://criticallegalthinking.com/2017/11/17/michel-foucault-discourse/ \nA very short\, very good explanation of one of Foucault’s basic ideas. \nDiscourse\, Power and Symbolic Elites \nTeun A. van Dijk \nhttps://discourses.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Teun-A.-van-Dijk-2012-Discourse-power-and-symbolic-elites.pdf \nPublished by Barcelona Metropolis Magazine\, 2010\, under a Creative Commons license. That means we can use it. \nYou may\, of course\, read whatever else you choose on the topic\, as well as use your knowledge of the subject in general. The only thing you’re not allowed to do is use any of your skill with non-coercive power to manipulate the group. That’s the exclusive prerogative of the organizer. (And I’ll bet you never suspected.) \n 
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-52/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/powercube_yellow-bg.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240417T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240417T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102725
CREATED:20240408T012919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240421T213726Z
UID:1109-1713380400-1713387600@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:Note that this is the third Wednesday of the month\, not the second Wednesday\, our usual meeting day. We are starting a new book\, An Aristotelian Account of Induction: Creating Something from Nothing by Louis Groarke\, part of the McGill-Queen’s Studies in the History of Ideas. \nA new paperback will cost you around $38 and there is no ebook. For our first meeting we will discuss chapters 1 and 2. \nSince it might be a little harder than usual to get a copy of this book\, you might end up waiting. If so\, and since the first two chapters are largely an introduction and a discussion of the historical background\, we have listed some alternative readings below that you can do while you’re waiting. However\, most commentaries talk about “the problem of induction\,” and the thesis of this book is that it’s a problem largely because we have strayed from what Aristotle understood as induction. So\, if you follow this route\, you should also read something about induction according to Aristotle\, which\, unfortunately\, is a little harder to find\, so we have included some articles by a philosopher who is sympathetic to Groarke’s thesis. While we would prefer that you read both chapters of Groarke\, we are giving you the option of skipping chapter 2 altogether if you would prefer to read these or some other sources. \nThis topic reaches into the very heart of philosophy. Every self-respecting member of this group should be so excited to get started on this book that it has given us some concern about how an over-reaction could effect your mental health. So just relax\, get a grip on yourself\, and dig in. \nCurt \nSuggested online articles on philosophical induction. \nThis is a short discussion of general philosophical induction\, not including Aristotle \nhttps://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Induction_(philosophy) \nWikipedia has a general article on philosophical induction\, but Aristotle is only briefly mentioned. \nhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductive_reasoning \nThis is a longer\, more detailed article on philosophical (and other types of) induction. Aristotle’s induction is discussed in a section on “historical genesis.” \nhttps://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/computers-and-electr… \nIf you really want to understand the problem of induction\, these two articles are long\, detailed\, and technical. \nhttps://plato.stanford.edu/entries/induction-problem/ \nhttps://iep.utm.edu/problem-of-induction/ \nThe following articles are about Aristotelian induction\, courtesy of Milo Schield\, a member of our group who suggested the book. They are all by John McCaskey who generally agrees with Groarke’s position. \n* Myths in the history of Induction  PowerPoint 2013\,\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/history-of-induction/\n* When Induction was about Concepts 2011 (Draft)\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/PittVolume.pdf \n* Professor Higgins’ Philosophy of Science: Why Can’t Induction be More Like Deduction? (Draft)\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/Higgins.pdf \n*  History of the Relationship between Concepts and Induction   2010   PowerPoint\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/SwansAndRavens.ppsx \n*  Whence the Uniformity Principle  2010   Abstract  PowerPoint\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/WhenceUniformityAtHOPOS…. \n*  Bacon’s Idols and Harvey’s Eggs   2010  Abstract  PowerPoint\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/BaconAndEggsAtHOPOS.ppsx \n* Freeing Aristotelian Epagôgê from Prior Analytics II 23.  Apeiron\, December\, 2007\, pp. 345–74.\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/FreeingAristotelianEpago… \n*  PhD Thesis (2006): Regula socratis : the rediscovery of ancient induction in early modern England.  Abstract\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/Dissertation.pdf \n* Induction and Concept-Formation in Francis Bacon and William Whewell   2004\nwww.johnmccaskey.com/joomla/images/for-download/InductionAndConceptsInBa… \nDisclaimer: I have not read all of these articles\, so I am not offering recommendations for any particular ones. Good luck. \n 
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-68/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Aristotealian-Account-of-Induction-with-border.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240313T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240313T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102725
CREATED:20240223T232316Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T165729Z
UID:994-1710356400-1710363600@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:  \nWe will finish discussing the book Thought: A Very Short Introduction by Tim Bayne. A short introductory book on a broad topic can lead to some interesting disagreements with what the author covers and how he goes about it. \nAdded to this is the fact that\, at this point\, we know very little about thought or how the brain works except in mostly general terms. This can lead to some interesting discussions. If you’re as confused as everyone else but have lots of opinions anyway\, you should come and join the rest of us who are in the same boat. Maybe we can get enough people rowing in the same direction that we can get somewhere. Hopefully not smashed into the dock. \nCurt
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/history-study-group-59/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Thought-A-Very-Short-Introduction-with-border.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240214T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240214T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102725
CREATED:20240118T193241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T170141Z
UID:523-1707937200-1707944400@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:On Valentine’s Day we will be starting a new book\, Thought: A Very Short Introduction (2013) by Tim Bayne\, a part of the Very Short Introduction series from Oxford University Press. \nThis book costs about $13 in paperback and $7 as an ebook. We will read the first three chapters for our next meeting. And a thought that would be nice for this meeting is to bring your sweetie. \nCurt \n  \n 
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-67/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Thought-A-Very-Short-Introduction-with-border.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240111T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240111T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102725
CREATED:20231220T034630Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T170906Z
UID:515-1704999600-1705006800@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will conclude our discussion of Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life by Edith Hall. After having read this book\, it won’t matter if you’ve been adhering to the Ten Commandments\, the Noble Eightfold Path\, the Five Pillars\, or the Three Fundamental Bonds and Five Constant Virtues\, or have just been working to improve your Karma\, or maybe indulging in ritual purification. \nIt will now be necessary for you to add Aristotle’s Golden Mean. And then\, to top it off with the ultimate\, the consummate\, the perfected\, the pièce de résistance: the consensus of the MISF Philosophy Study Group on how you should live your life. But for that\, you need to show up.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-66/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Aristotles-Way-with-border.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20231214T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20231214T210000
DTSTAMP:20260531T102725
CREATED:20231122T055735Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240424T172025Z
UID:509-1702580400-1702587600@mnindependentscholars.org
SUMMARY:Philosophy Study Group
DESCRIPTION:We will discuss chapters 3 – 6 of Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life by Edith Hall. \nPlease note that while Aristotle’s philosophy has helped many people\, neither the MISF Philosophy Study Group nor the Minnesota Independent Scholars Forum guarantees that any positive change will occur from attending these meetings. Furthermore\, we absolutely reject any responsibility for negative influences that may cause harm to an attendee or to anyone else due to the actions of an attendee as a subsequent effect of attending these meetings. Any claims against the above-mentioned organizations for such harm will be vigorously disputed. I’m sure Aristotle would agree.
URL:https://mnindependentscholars.org/event/philosophy-study-group-65/
LOCATION:via Zoom
CATEGORIES:Philosophy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mnindependentscholars.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Aristotles-Way-with-border.jpg
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