About the Event
Date and time: Oct 25, 2024 (Fri) 7:30PM
Location: 16595 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052 (Eastline Apartment 3F Clubroom)
Topic: Schopenhauer: An Observer of Life
Capacity: 20 people
— A reading introduction from the speaker —
You may have encountered some sayings attributed to Schopenhauer:
“Either solitude or vulgarity.”
“Life swings like a pendulum between suffering and boredom.”
“Leisure is the essence of life; beyond it, life is toil and labor.”
“What is called a brilliant life is merely captivity to desire.”
“Those who laugh often are happy; those who cry often are suffering and unhappy.”
These passages come from The Wisdom of Life, Schopenhauer’s widely read philosophical essays. Ranging across many aspects of living, the book offers sharp aphorisms, observations, and a spare, unsentimental account of practical wisdom.
Schopenhauer is often thought a bleak philosopher, willing to criticize nearly every aspect of human life and feeling. Yet he has remained widely admired in the 160 years since his death.
How does such an eccentric figure win readers’ affection while criticizing life so fiercely? In this session, I will share passages collected over ten years and use everyday examples to discuss his thought.
I look forward to seeing you on Friday evening.
— Speaker —
Tong Liu
An engineer and part-time photographer; outwardly reserved, but an improviser of absurd jokes. A reader of Ye, Li Ao, and Schopenhauer who enjoys recording and sharing things.
— Schedule —
First half:
Arrival and seating
Opening and participant introductions: briefly share a recent book, film, program, or piece of music you enjoyed (3 minutes each).
Speaker’s talk: Schopenhauer: An Observer of Life
Questions and exchanges with the speaker are welcome throughout (about one hour in total).
Second half:
Participants share ideas on the philosophy of life and ways of living.
Group photo
— Registration —
https://forms.gle/ksghDVzmsSKo9TWD6
Please use the registration link above.
Registration order is determined by the link above.
Your email address is used to send the apartment access code and instructions.
After registering, add the assistant on WeChat to join the event group.
📌 Include “book club” in your friend request.
Find the account “别处读书会” on Xiaohongshu.
Find out about other events.
About Elsewhere Book Club
Elsewhere Book Club
The name Elsewhere comes from Milan Kundera’s Life Is Elsewhere.
Life Is Elsewhere.
We seem more inclined to imagine a golden age when looking backward or forward. Yet, in my own life, this moment and elsewhere have become inseparable, each giving meaning to the other.
Live fully in this moment. The search for elsewhere also takes place here and now.
I had just arrived in Seattle. In an unfamiliar place, my first impulse was to start a small book club, perhaps to meet others who find steadiness in books and enjoy sustained conversation.
Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed; a mustard seed holding Mount Sumeru.
I hope this small space can give us somewhere to exchange ideas each week.
Philosophy & Society
Read the original article (Chinese) Original Event Information
Date and time: Oct 25, 2024 (Fri) 7:30PM
Location: 16595 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052 (Eastline Apartment 3F Clubroom)
Topic: Schopenhauer: An Observer of Life
Capacity: 20 people
— A reading introduction from the speaker —
You may have encountered some sayings attributed to Schopenhauer:
“Either solitude or vulgarity.”
“Life swings like a pendulum between suffering and boredom.”
“Leisure is the essence of life; beyond it, life is toil and labor.”
“What is called a brilliant life is merely captivity to desire.”
“Those who laugh often are happy; those who cry often are suffering and unhappy.”
These passages come from The Wisdom of Life, Schopenhauer’s widely read philosophical essays. Ranging across many aspects of living, the book offers sharp aphorisms, observations, and a spare, unsentimental account of practical wisdom.
Schopenhauer is often thought a bleak philosopher, willing to criticize nearly every aspect of human life and feeling. Yet he has remained widely admired in the 160 years since his death.
How does such an eccentric figure win readers’ affection while criticizing life so fiercely? In this session, I will share passages collected over ten years and use everyday examples to discuss his thought.
I look forward to seeing you on Friday evening.
— Speaker —
Tong Liu
An engineer and part-time photographer; outwardly reserved, but an improviser of absurd jokes. A reader of Ye, Li Ao, and Schopenhauer who enjoys recording and sharing things.
— Schedule —
First half:
Arrival and seating
Opening and participant introductions: briefly share a recent book, film, program, or piece of music you enjoyed (3 minutes each).
Speaker’s talk: Schopenhauer: An Observer of Life
Questions and exchanges with the speaker are welcome throughout (about one hour in total).
Second half:
Participants share ideas on the philosophy of life and ways of living.
Group photo
— Registration —
https://forms.gle/ksghDVzmsSKo9TWD6
Please use the registration link above.
Registration order is determined by the link above.
Your email address is used to send the apartment access code and instructions.
After registering, add the assistant on WeChat to join the event group.
📌 Include “book club” in your friend request.
Find the account “别处读书会” on Xiaohongshu.
Find out about other events.
About Elsewhere Book Club
Elsewhere Book Club
The name Elsewhere comes from Milan Kundera’s Life Is Elsewhere.
Life Is Elsewhere.
We seem more inclined to imagine a golden age when looking backward or forward. Yet, in my own life, this moment and elsewhere have become inseparable, each giving meaning to the other.
Live fully in this moment. The search for elsewhere also takes place here and now.
I had just arrived in Seattle. In an unfamiliar place, my first impulse was to start a small book club, perhaps to meet others who find steadiness in books and enjoy sustained conversation.
Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed; a mustard seed holding Mount Sumeru.
I hope this small space can give us somewhere to exchange ideas each week.