Hong Kong Philo Cafe First Meeting

Philosophy Posted June 16, 1999

Report on "trial" meeting of the HK PhiloCafe June 13, 1999

Page 2.

Steve pointed out that he doesn't want the PC to be another higher level academic meeting for philosophy discussion as there are already other similar meetings in Hong Kong. He said that we could create things as we go along.

Roy suggested that philosophy is all about the questions, "What is real?" and "What is good?" The first question deals with metaphysics and the second one with ethics. We should bear in mind these two questions and perhaps apply them to a series of topics we might want to discuss (either in a local or global context).

Barbara said she wants a bottom-up kind of philosophy discussion.

Clifford added that we could ask "What is bad?" and "What is unreal?" And he also suggested the possibility of pure philosophy, that we should not be limited by any context or assumptions, such as goodness and being real, or being applicable to daily life.

But Thomas said we need some fundamentals and standards. He then gave definitions of philosophy, science and aesthetics.

Steve added that philosophy is to ask "What is ----?" and suggested that philosophy may be definable as the "self-defining" discipline.

Barbara asked whether it would be better to say philosophy is asking fundamental questions.

After a great deal of discussion of various ways of approaching these issues, Loretta suggested that we should start by asking naive questions and treat ourselves like ordinary people who know little about philosophy.

Everyone agreed that this preliminary meeting was good enough to justify planning to meet regularly, starting in mid-September. Initially the meetings will be monthly; but if there is sufficient interest, we may begin meeting more frequently. Steve will announce the exact date in late August. The venue will be the Open Kitchen, on the 6th floor of the HK Arts Centre. Steve suggested that anyone who does not want to continue should let him know by email. Other feedback is also welcome.

Roy suggested that the one who suggests a selected topic should give a very brief introduction (less than 5 minutes) of that topic before starting the discussion.

Topics suggested for future meetings were:

- What is the relation between emotions and reason?
- Is there a non- sensory way of knowing things?

After some discussion, we agreed to base the next meeting on Alex's question (suggested earlier). He clarified that his interest is to discuss what qualifies one as a family member and what rights or obligations does this give a person? After several suggested titles, we agreed on: "What makes a family?"

Steve then concluded by sharing about how other philosophy cafes operate in other places like New York and Paris and why he would like to make it happen in Hong Kong.