25 January 2011


 Cigar Society University Series Lectures

George Souri asks--
I
s Philosophy  Relevant
in the 21st Century?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 5:30-9:30pm
19 South Wabash, Second floor

In today’s fast paced, highly specialized world, does philosophy still have a place in society, or is philosophy dead?  In ancient Greece, philosophy was not simply an academic exercise, but a vital part of social life. The ancients pursued the activities of wondering and examination in the hopes of living, what Aristotle called, the good life. Has the goal of a well examined life been displaced in contemporary society, and if so, what does such a displacement mean for establishing a contemporary notion of "the good life"?

George Souri will give a thought provoking presentation arguing that the ancient philosophical problems are not only alive and well in contemporary society, but a vital part of both social discourse and personal life. From the epistemological foundations that underpinned the current recession, to how the internet has affected the shaping of world views and the question of belief versus truth, to how each of us goes about forming our own system of ethical values, Souri will make the case that philosophy is not simply an academic exercise concerned with esoteric concepts and ambiguous language, but a fundamental human practice that each and every socially engaged being undertakes in the process of making a life.      

 Cocktails at 5:30, presentation 6:00-6:30 followed by discussion.
$40 includes drinks, two cigars, and sandwiches.  Jacket and tie recommended.
Reservations are required.

 

Coming up

Tuesday, Feb 8
Terry Boyle,
Growing Up in Ireland during the Time of Troubles.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor

Tuesday, Feb 22
Rick Kogan and Charles Osgood, On Leadership.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, March 8
Allen Frantzen,
Taking the Sting out of the Ring: Masculinity and White-collar boxing.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, March 22
Augustus Higginson, The Rise of the Skyscraper in Chicago: 1955 to the present.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, April 5
Tony Grosch, The Ideal of Brotherhood in Four Classic Chicago Novels in the '30s and '40s.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, April 12
Lauren Viera, New Cocktails for Spring: A Lesson in Mixology.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, April 26
Michael Turner, God, the Multiverse, and Cosmic Arrogance.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, May 10
Robert Wallace, Why did the Athenians Kill Socrates?
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.

Tuesday, May 24
Alfred Rasho, Making Short Documentary Films.
19 S. Wabash, 2d floor.


About the Cigar Society of Chicago

ONE OF THE OLDEST AND greatest traditions of the city clubs of Chicago is the discussion of intellectual, social, legal, artistic, historical, scientific, musical, theatrical, and philosophical issues in the company of educated, bright, and appropriately provocative individuals, all under the beneficent influence of substantial amounts of tobacco and spirits.  The Cigar Society of Chicago embraces this tradition and extends it with its Informal Smokers, University Series lectures, and Cigar Society Dinners, in which cigars, and from time to time pipes and cigarettes, appear as an important component of our version of the classical symposium.  To be included in the Cigar Society's mailing list, write to the Secretary at CigarSociety@logicophilosophicus.org.