About the Novacastrian Philosopher
Who is the Novacastrian Philosopher? They are someone who seeks their own answers to philosophical questions through serious discussion for mutual benefit and delight.
Basically, they want answers to philosophical questions. But they know enough about philosophy to know that it's a mug's game to expect people to agree on the answers. So their goal is more modest—to honestly answer these questions for themselves, at the very least. But how? They agree with Mill that, on matters of dispute, the only thing that will keep them honest is discussion, precisely with those they disagree with. And they agree with Socrates that, just as they would need to engage in some serious study if they wanted to answer medical questions for themselves, so too they need to engage in some serious discussion to answer philosophical questions for themselves. So they hope to benefit by talking with others, and—because this is the sort of person they are—they hope that others will benefit by talking with them, and that everyone has a jolly good time doing so. Oh, and they are also connected in some way to Newcastle, NSW—thus the "Novacastrian" in their moniker, a term which refers exclusively to residents of that sunny city, rather than its colder antipodean counterpart.
The discussions of the Novacastrian Philosopher take three forms: (1) MeetUps; (2) Groups; (3) Debates
(1) Face-to-Face MeetUps: A monthly discussion for members, over drinks, of issues of general philosophical interest.
The aim these MeetUps is to provide members with a sense of philosophical community, and so they should function in such a way that, so far as possible, they are motivated to attend regular meetups. This constraint will have developing implications for meeting frequency, timing, location, duration, expected preparation, as well as membership.
There are regular meetings, according to the following schedule:
The meeting itself will proceed according to the "Ethics Committee" Model:
COVID-19 Policy: In light of the fact that COVID-19 safety has been privatized, the members of the Novacastrian Philosopher have come to the following understanding about their expectations of each another on this issue, namely that:
IF a participant at a face-to-face MeetUp tests positive for COVID-19 in the seven days after the MeetUp (ie up to and including the following Saturday), THEN they see to it that the everyone on the email list is informed as soon as possible of (i) the date of the positive test and (ii) whether or not they were symptomatic at the time, either by emailing the moderator who will anonymously pass on the information, or by emailing everyone on the list directly themselves.
(2) Specialized Groups: For those with specialized philosophical interests, in topics, approach or whatever.
The function of these Groups is to provide a venue for members (and others) to pursue more specific interests (relating, for example, to topics or level of discussion) which are not satisfied by the MeetUps. At the request of interested parties, the moderator may have a role in forming and facilitating such groups.
(3) Online Debates: For everyone, but especially those who can only participate in online discussion.
The function of these Debates is to provide a venue for all members (and others), whether based in Newcastle or only able to contribute online, to discuss matters of mutual interest. On request, the question and material for each MeetUp may be posted by the moderator as a Debate, though the moderator can also establish other debates at the request of members.
Basically, they want answers to philosophical questions. But they know enough about philosophy to know that it's a mug's game to expect people to agree on the answers. So their goal is more modest—to honestly answer these questions for themselves, at the very least. But how? They agree with Mill that, on matters of dispute, the only thing that will keep them honest is discussion, precisely with those they disagree with. And they agree with Socrates that, just as they would need to engage in some serious study if they wanted to answer medical questions for themselves, so too they need to engage in some serious discussion to answer philosophical questions for themselves. So they hope to benefit by talking with others, and—because this is the sort of person they are—they hope that others will benefit by talking with them, and that everyone has a jolly good time doing so. Oh, and they are also connected in some way to Newcastle, NSW—thus the "Novacastrian" in their moniker, a term which refers exclusively to residents of that sunny city, rather than its colder antipodean counterpart.
The discussions of the Novacastrian Philosopher take three forms: (1) MeetUps; (2) Groups; (3) Debates
(1) Face-to-Face MeetUps: A monthly discussion for members, over drinks, of issues of general philosophical interest.
The aim these MeetUps is to provide members with a sense of philosophical community, and so they should function in such a way that, so far as possible, they are motivated to attend regular meetups. This constraint will have developing implications for meeting frequency, timing, location, duration, expected preparation, as well as membership.
There are regular meetings, according to the following schedule:
- Members meet on the 1st Saturday of the month, for 10 months of the year starting in February, for 1½ hours from 10.30am-12.00noon, at the Junction Inn Hotel, Raymond Terrace, with the option of lunch afterwards.
- The 2024 meeting dates are: 3 February, 2 March, 6 April, 4 May, 1 June, 6 July, 7 September, 5 October, 2 November, 7 December. [There is no August MeetUp.]
- At the previous meeting, a topic and presenter will have been selected—typically the person whose preferred topic was chosen, or the moderator. They are responsible for deciding the topic question and providing stimulus material. This may be reading or audio-visual material, but should require no more than one hour commitment, and pitched at the likely interests of the other members.
- The topic question and stimulus material will be posted preferably two weeks before the next MeetUp.
- The question and material will be posted by the moderator under MeetUps, and emailed directly to members, for people to consider at their discretion.
- These may also be posted by the moderator under Debates depending on demand, before or after the MeetUp, to allow for online discussion before or after the face-to-face MeetUp, and for any purely online members to join in.
- The moderator will email members a week before the MeetUp, as a reminder, and to confirm numbers for bookings.
The meeting itself will proceed according to the "Ethics Committee" Model:
- The meeting will open with the moderator's passing on apologies, and briefly raising any administrative matters.
- A topic will be selected by negotiation for the following meeting. A list of suggested topics will be maintained by the moderator at the Topics page, as a basis for selection. Members please contact the moderator if you would like to add a topic for consideration.
- The assigned presenter will provide a brief summary of the stimulus material, for those who may not have had the opportunity to look at it.
- General discussion.
- There will be a break at 12.00pm, allowing people to leave, or to stay for lunch and further discussion, as they wish.
COVID-19 Policy: In light of the fact that COVID-19 safety has been privatized, the members of the Novacastrian Philosopher have come to the following understanding about their expectations of each another on this issue, namely that:
IF a participant at a face-to-face MeetUp tests positive for COVID-19 in the seven days after the MeetUp (ie up to and including the following Saturday), THEN they see to it that the everyone on the email list is informed as soon as possible of (i) the date of the positive test and (ii) whether or not they were symptomatic at the time, either by emailing the moderator who will anonymously pass on the information, or by emailing everyone on the list directly themselves.
(2) Specialized Groups: For those with specialized philosophical interests, in topics, approach or whatever.
The function of these Groups is to provide a venue for members (and others) to pursue more specific interests (relating, for example, to topics or level of discussion) which are not satisfied by the MeetUps. At the request of interested parties, the moderator may have a role in forming and facilitating such groups.
(3) Online Debates: For everyone, but especially those who can only participate in online discussion.
The function of these Debates is to provide a venue for all members (and others), whether based in Newcastle or only able to contribute online, to discuss matters of mutual interest. On request, the question and material for each MeetUp may be posted by the moderator as a Debate, though the moderator can also establish other debates at the request of members.