Lincoln Philosophy Café
Encyclopedia
Lincoln Philosophy Café is an open society for philosophical and topical discussion based in Lincoln (United Kingdom). It was founded on Monday 29 June 2009 by James Taylor-Foster and has run continuously at the Angel Coffee House in central Lincoln. According to the website, it is "a forum for listening, exchanging ideas and forming new opinions". As of September 2011, Lincoln Philosophy Café is facilitated by Joseph Bell.
Its foundation was inspired by the work of Marc Sautet
at the Parisian Café Philosophique
(at the Café des Phares on Place de la Bastille
. The idea of "a return to the basic principles of reasoning intended for the general public" is at the core of the structure of the Lincoln Philosophy Café, with anyone from anywhere welcomed. A diluted version of the Socratic Method
is encouraged to stimulate people to challenge others opinions informally. The structure of each monthly or fortnightly meeting has been radically changed over the past two years.
The Lincoln Philosophy Café is a not-for-profit organisation and membership is completely free of charge to ensure that it is accessible to all. Registered with the Society for Philosophical Inquiry
, the Lincoln Philosophy Café bases its core ideal around the concept of informal discussion in a relaxed environment. For example, members are encouraged to not argue with each other but rather to engage in debate of which there is no right nor wrong. The Lincoln Philosophy Café has been given some press attention, most recently in the Lincolnshire Echo
, where it was described as being "a great social event that allows people of any age to share ideas".
Its foundation was inspired by the work of Marc Sautet
Marc Sautet
Marc Sautet was a French writer, teacher, translator ), and philosopher. He was a Doctor of Philosophy ) at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Sautet was a former Trotskyist who however edited two books on the German philosopher and philologist Friedrich Nietzsche...
at the Parisian Café Philosophique
Café Philosophique
Café philosophique is a grassroots forum for philosophical discussion, founded by philosopher Marc Sautet in Paris, France....
(at the Café des Phares on Place de la Bastille
Place de la Bastille
The Place de la Bastille is a square in Paris, where the Bastille prison stood until the 'Storming of the Bastille' and its subsequent physical destruction between 14 July 1789 and 14 July 1790 during the French Revolution; no vestige of it remains....
. The idea of "a return to the basic principles of reasoning intended for the general public" is at the core of the structure of the Lincoln Philosophy Café, with anyone from anywhere welcomed. A diluted version of the Socratic Method
Socratic method
The Socratic method , named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, is a form of inquiry and debate between individuals with opposing viewpoints based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to illuminate ideas...
is encouraged to stimulate people to challenge others opinions informally. The structure of each monthly or fortnightly meeting has been radically changed over the past two years.
The Lincoln Philosophy Café is a not-for-profit organisation and membership is completely free of charge to ensure that it is accessible to all. Registered with the Society for Philosophical Inquiry
Society for Philosophical Inquiry
The Society for Philosophical Inquiry is a non-profit organization devoted to propagating a version of Socratic inquiry through the establishment of regular meetings. Based on their different settings, they are called Socrates Café, Philosophers' Club, these meetings take place all over the world...
, the Lincoln Philosophy Café bases its core ideal around the concept of informal discussion in a relaxed environment. For example, members are encouraged to not argue with each other but rather to engage in debate of which there is no right nor wrong. The Lincoln Philosophy Café has been given some press attention, most recently in the Lincolnshire Echo
Lincolnshire Echo
The Lincolnshire Echo is a morning daily British regional newspaper for Lincolnshire, founded in 1894, which is published Monday to Saturday. It is owned by Northcliffe Newspapers. The main area for the paper's distribution is in or around Lincoln....
, where it was described as being "a great social event that allows people of any age to share ideas".