Socrates Cafe

I saw an ad last month for this in the local paper, so I went. It seems there are other Soc's Cafes around the country that meet and discuss the many questions that vex us so---a lot like these forums! I just wondered if anyone else has been to a Cafe meeting and what you thought of it?

Originally posted by PinkFloyd
I saw an ad last month for this in the local paper, so I went. It seems there are other Soc's Cafes around the country that meet and discuss the many questions that vex us so---a lot like these forums! I just wondered if anyone else has been to a Cafe meeting and what you thought of it?

I attended one here and was disappointed. People gave their opinions but could not back their opinions up with arguments. Further, those who showed up all held substantially the same views about the topic. So, I was put in the familiar but socially awkward position of calling people out, asking for their reasons, raising objections, etc. I told myself it was what Socrates would have done, but this was cold comfort.

Originally posted by bbarr
I attended one here and was disappointed. People gave their opinions but could not back their opinions up with arguments. Further, those who showed up all held substantially the same views about the topic. So, I was put in the familiar but socially awkward position of calling people out, asking for their reasons, raising objections, etc. I told myself it was what Socrates would have done, but this was cold comfort.

Something similar happened to me a while ago; when I first moved to Montreal, one of my neighbours was trying to start something like this, and the results were similar. However, I managed to have my belief that alcohol is a cure for socially awkward situations empirically reinforced by the lack of an invitation to subsequent meetings.

Originally posted by ChronicLeaky
I managed to have my belief that alcohol is a cure for socially awkward situations empirically reinforced by the lack of an invitation to subsequent meetings.

That is pretty funny.

Originally posted by ChronicLeaky
Something similar happened to me a while ago; when I first moved to Montreal, one of my neighbours was trying to start something like this, and the results were similar. However, I managed to have my belief that alcohol is a cure for socially awkward situations empirically reinforced by the lack of an invitation to subsequent meetings.

Actually, I heard it was because of your poor taste in hats.

Originally posted by Starrman
Actually, I heard it was because of your poor taste in hats.

😲!

If my taste in hats were a horseman of the Apocalypse, I suppose it would be Pestilence.

Unfortunately, most people seem to know only how to argue, not debate, and the ignorant are always experts.

Originally posted by Badwater
Unfortunately, most people seem to know only how to argue, not debate, and the ignorant are always experts.

Just ask them.....

Originally posted by bbarr
I attended one here and was disappointed. People gave their opinions but could not back their opinions up with arguments. Further, those who showed up all held substantially the same views about the topic. So, I was put in the familiar but socially awkward position of calling people out, asking for their reasons, raising objections, etc. I told myself it was what Socrates would have done, but this was cold comfort.

So what was the topic? Atheism?

Originally posted by sonhouse
So what was the topic? Atheism?

Friendship and whether there is a natural desire among humans for intimacy. Relatedly, people talked about the nature of true intimacy. The topic was selected by vote.

Originally posted by bbarr
Friendship and whether there is a natural desire among humans for intimacy. Relatedly, people talked about the nature of true intimacy. The topic was selected by vote.

Did you get laid?

Originally posted by bbarr
Friendship and whether there is a natural desire among humans for intimacy. Relatedly, people talked about the nature of true intimacy. The topic was selected by vote.

I wouldn't have thought that would be a subject of debate. Of course people desire intimacy, most people anyway. The only debate here would be the people who don't desire intimacy, is it 1/10th of a percent or 1 percent.....

Originally posted by sonhouse
I wouldn't have thought that would be a subject of debate. Of course people desire intimacy, most people anyway. The only debate here would be the people who don't desire intimacy, is it 1/10th of a percent or 1 percent.....

Hi all, greetings from Athens, Greece🙂

Socrates -Plato- used to consider “intimacy” as a fractal of Love, and Love as “…a great supernatural power (~daemon); …this power is emerging between the gods and the human beings and is the means through which the actions and the thoughts of the gods pass to the people and vice versa; people are able to communicate (~through Love) with the gods through deep meditation, while the gods inform the people about their will (~through Love) by sending them visions and also by repaying them for their actions. This daemon fills the Void providing that the universe will be hold together”.

People, all the people, they feel a natural desire for intimacy, which many times transforms into something else; the pure nature of intimacy/ friendship/ love seems to be a situation where egoism is superseded by the Void; maybe that’s why this subject were considered appropriate of debate;

Amici sumus, best regards🙂

Originally posted by sonhouse
I wouldn't have thought that would be a subject of debate. Of course people desire intimacy, most people anyway. The only debate here would be the people who don't desire intimacy, is it 1/10th of a percent or 1 percent.....

I do not desire intimacy. That would require being in proximity to one or more,,,,people.

Originally posted by PinkFloyd
I do not desire intimacy. That would require being in proximity to one or more,,,,people.

You share a planet with 6 billion+ people. Your desire for proximity or not is a foregone conclusion.