What we’re about
For Thinkers, Skeptics, and the Existentially Curious
Dive into books that dissect the illusions of self, reality, and happiness. From Dostoevsky’s existential rebels to Metzinger’s Ego Tunnel, we explore questions like:
- Is your "self" real—or a biological mirage?
- Can Buddhism and Schopenhauer cure modern despair?
- Does evolution hide reality from us?
- Is optimism a lie?
We’re not here for easy answers. We’re here to question, unsettle, and reframe—whether discussing Tolstoy’s search for meaning, Fromm’s critique of consumerism, or Yalom’s therapy for life’s absurdity.
What to expect:
- Lively debates about consciousness, free will, and the myths we live by.
- A mix of modern science (Why Buddhism Is True) and classic philosophy (Notes from Underground).
- A welcoming space to challenge ideas, share insights, and laugh at the chaos of being human.
For anyone who suspects reality isn’t what it seems—and wants to talk about it over a pint.
Upcoming events
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Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will
Bacchus Bar in Birmingham (http://goo.gl/maps/nUgLd), Burlington Arcade, New Street, Birmingham, B2 4JH, Birmingham, GBThis month we will be reading:
Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will by Robert M. Sapolsky
About Book
Get ready for our most provocative discussion yet! Stanford neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky delivers a bold, paradigm-shifting argument that free will is an illusion — and surprisingly, this might be liberating rather than depressing.
Perfect Follow-up to "The Stranger"
After exploring Meursault's existential indifference, we'll dive into the scientific case for why his detached perspective might be more accurate than we thought. If Camus showed us the absurd, Sapolsky shows us the determined.
Link to video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv38taDUpwQ
What You'll Discover:
🔬 Hard Science Meets Philosophy: Sapolsky weaves together neuroscience, genetics, hormones, and evolutionary biology to show how our choices are shaped by forces completely outside our control
🌊 The Ripple Effect: How everything from your great-grandmother's trauma to this morning's blood sugar level influences your "decisions"
⚖️ Revolutionary Ethics: If we're not truly responsible for our actions, how do we rebuild concepts of justice, morality, and personal growth?
🕊️ Unexpected Hope: Why accepting our lack of free will might actually make us more compassionate, less judgmental, and surprisingly... more free
More details
Sapolsky argues free will is an illusion: Human behavior is the inevitable result of biological, environmental, and evolutionary factors. From genes to cultural conditioning, every choice is predetermined by prior causes. Key points:
- Neuroscience: Brain activity precedes conscious decisions (e.g., Libet experiments).
- Ethics: Blame/praise are nonsensical if we lack agency.
- Existential Angst: If we’re “puppets,” can life still feel meaningful?
Links to Previous Books
A. The Stranger (Camus)
Tension: Camus’ Meursault embraces absurd freedom, but Sapolsky claims even rebellion is determined.
Question: Is Meursault’s indifference a choice (existential authenticity) or a biological inevitability (determined temperament)?
Quote: “I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world” (Camus) vs. “We are nothing more than the cumulative luck of biology and environment” (Sapolsky).
B. The Ego Tunnel (Metzinger)
Illusion of Self: Both authors dismantle agency. Metzinger’s “self-model” aligns with Sapolsky’s view of the brain as a deterministic machine.
Question: If the self is a fiction (Ego Tunnel), does determinism feel less threatening?
C. Why Buddhism Is True (Wright)
Non-Self & Determinism: Buddhism’s anatta (no-self) complements Sapolsky’s thesis, but Buddhism prescribes ethical practice—how does this fit?
Quote: “The self is a process, not a thing” (Wright) vs. “You can’t punish someone for behavior that was deterministically caused” (Sapolsky).9 attendees
Past events
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