SocraticSessions

Meeting Location: Southeast Regional in Room C

Background:
The pursuit of pleasure and fulfillment are contrasting concepts, and still overlap with each other. ‘Hedonism’ is “the pursuit of pleasure and happiness.” On the other hand, eudaemonia is the pursuit of self-realization/actualization or striving to be the best self one can be. Both of these can produce happiness, yet they are different in their ways of doing so. In this discussion, we will explore how uncertainty affects our choices to seek pleasure, fulfillment, or a mix of both.

1. How do you think most people react when they encounter uncertainty?

2. Do you think our society is stuck on the ‘hedonic treadmill’? Why or why not?

3. What stops us from living a life of fulfillment?

4. Do you think that many fulfilling pursuits eventually become centered around the pursuit of pleasure?

5. What has uncertainty in our society moved us to become as individuals and a collective?

We will be meeting at Southeast Regional in Room A

About the Group: We explore ideas and current events through guided conversation. A moderator keeps things on track with good questions—no background needed.

Discussion Themes:

-Who should be allowed to spend money to influence politics, and how much is too much?

-When does spending become “speech,” and who gets left out of that conversation?

-How should we balance the political voice of wealthy donors, corporations, and ordinary voters?