Introduction
Philosophers may differ greatly, even oppose one another, yet they share something expressed in the Greek origin of the word philosophy: a love of wisdom, and an attempt to use it to address life’s suffering.
I had no topic in mind for Friday, but several recent book club participants enjoy philosophy. So let’s make that our subject.
When choosing an illustration, I immediately thought of the neoclassical painting The Death of Socrates, depicting the death recorded in Plato’s Phaedo.
Socrates preferred public disfavor and condemnation by the state to abandoning his convictions. Criticism did not make him retract his ideas. His confidence came neither from impulse nor simple bravado, but from a deeper philosophical commitment that allowed him to remain reasoned under accusation.
This Friday, let’s talk about the philosophical questions that concern you.
Philosophy & Society
Read the original article (Chinese) Original Event Information
Date and time: Feb 14, 2025 (Fri) 7:30PM
Location: 16595 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052 (Eastline Apartment 2F)
Topic: Talking About Philosophy
Capacity: 20 people, including ten observers
— Schedule —
Arrival and seating
Opening and participant introductions: briefly share a recent book, film, program, or piece of music you enjoyed (3 minutes each).
Sharing session: one person, one book, with an open choice of subject (5–10 minutes for each registered speaker)
Group photo
— Registration —
https://forms.gle/AnM4cjpv1fiYJDr39
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.
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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 arrived in Seattle recently. 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.