The Denison University Department of Philosophy will hold its first ever community philosophy coffee from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 30) at Brews II in Granville. This coffee is an informal event where the faculty of Denison's philosophy department and others interested in philosophy can meet for a broad philosophical conversation on a specific topic. The topic chosen for this discussion, "Is the unexamined life worth living?" was a question first raised by Athenian philosopher Socrates and is really a question about the role that self-reflection and critical thinking ought to play in human life. Coffee will be available at no charge and this event is free and open to the public.

This community coffee was inspired by an initiative undertaken by the American Philosophical Association (APA) in honor of the 100th anniversary of its founding. The initiative, entitled "Philosophy Matters: A Celebration of the Power of Thought," is intended to celebrate the power of philosophy in the lives of individuals and societies. The APA has encouraged its members to find ways to bring philosophy and philosophical reflection into their communities in order to call attention to philosophy's contemporary relevance and to the contributions it can make.

"Philosophy coffees are entirely informal and unstructured affairs," Steve Vogel, chair of the department, says. "People sit down, someone starts the discussion by reminding us of the topic, and then the conversation simply sets off. We never know exactly where it's going, which is part of what's so terrific about it. It's nothing like an academic exercise or an attempt by the faculty to make some point; rather it's as if all the people involved are working together to try to understand something about the world and their place within it. It's a great example of philosophical thinking and the method at work. We're very excited about the chance to get some people from outside Denison involved."

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

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Barbara Stambaugh

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(740) 587-8575