Without knowledge of the past, we have no future. The philosophy group debates how previous thinkers and movements have addressed the ideas and problems of their times, and the relevance of their insights today.

We meet once a month over tea and coffee, at the home of the group leader. A meeting lasts two hours. Previously, a topic will have been selected. All members are expected to have considered/read/researched the topic beforehand. A briefing is circulated about a week before, and members can exchange ideas via email. At the meeting, the chairman will introduce the topic and ensure everyone in the group has plenty of opportunity to participate (and stop the discussion wandering too far off the topic). All discussion is conducted in a friendly atmosphere and with respect. Different opinions are encouraged. There are no right or wrong answers.

We have been going over six years and still have a core of original and supportive members. Equally, we have been blessed over the years with new members, new perspectives and new ideas. We have tried to cover most of the major Western tradition from ancient Athens to the present day, as well as Eastern traditions and religions. Some recent topics include - romanticism and nationalism (Hegel), inequality and revolution (Marx), ethics and artificial intelligence (Philippa Foot), the banality of evil (Hannah Arendt).

The size of our group is limited by the size of the meeting room, and by the need to ensure everyone has ample opportunity to participate. We currently have nine members with a short waiting list. When new members join, every effort is made to ensure they are welcomed and valued. Don’t be put off by our subject, philosophy is not all about dusty tomes and dead thinkers, some of the best insights today can be found, for example, in cartoons - Peanuts or Wall-E anybody?