Socrates Café Madrid — Philosophy Discussions Meetup

Do you enjoy deep, honest, and respectful discussions of fundamental human questions? If yes, then you will love this meetup!

We ask questions and discuss ideas to stimulate critical thinking. We enrich ourselves with the perspectives of others, not to convince others about our own perspectives.

This meetup is about our own philosophies of life and not necessarily what the great philosophers and academics have said or written. It is not a debating club or a platform for proselytizing. Instead, we place emphasis on questioning, open-mindedness, and challenging our own assumptions while listening to and considering the views shared by others. A Socrates Café meeting typically ends with participants leaving with many more questions than they had at the beginning.

WHAT TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED?

At the start of each meeting, the facilitator invites participants to suggest topics. We then vote and choose that evening's most popular topic for discussion. No academic training in philosophy is necessary; just enthusiasm for exchanging ideas and points of view. A few examples of subjects chosen at past meetups include:

• What ideals, if any, are worth dying for?
• What is the best form of government?
• What makes you "you" despite physical and experiential changes over your lifetime?
• What is beauty, and how important is it?
• What are ethical pricing and greed?
• What is the "best" education?
• What is true friendship?
• What would the world be like if women were in charge?

WHO SHOULD JOIN?

Everyone is welcome! Socrates Café groups all over the world include women and men from different cultural backgrounds, ages, native languages, careers, and educational levels. No formal philosophical training is mandatory. The only requirements are a willingness to listen respectfully and to be open to what people have to say, even if you disagree. Putting down others is absolutely not allowed. You will also need at least a minimal understanding of spoken English to participate. No one is required to speak, although sharing is encouraged within the supportive environment of the group. Socrates Café participants are usually people who have a hunger for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.