Cafe Philo in New York City in two weeks, Thursday, 6/16: What is the value of college?

Cafe Philo in New York City will meet in two weeks, on Thursday, June 16, 2011 for a discussion of the topic "What is the value of college?" I suggested the topic based on recent discussions and media attention to the topic. For example,

• The New Yorker: Live and Learn - Why we have college? / Debating the Value of College in America
• The LA Times: College, too easy for its own good / Was college worth it?

The suggested topics for the upcoming meeting and their votes (out of 11 attendees):

1. What is the value of college? (6, 7) *
2. What's up with dog people? (2)
3. Rhetoric vs. reason. (4)
4. Is $1 trillion enough for one person? (3)
5. Power vs. reason. (2)
6. Polarization vs. compromise. (2)
7. Should we impose penalties for people who walk using cellphones? (2)
8. Why atheism is on the rise in this country. (2)
9. Competitive world. (1)
10. How can something come out of nothing? (3)
11. Humanity is too big and hungry for this earth. (5)
12. Should we have dueling in a democratic society? (3)
13. Should modern democracies adopt the practice of denying lawbreakers the protection of law? (4)
14. Dream, idea, reality - How can we compromise? (4)
15. Does determinism entail predestination? (1)
16. Do political borders rope people in? (6, 6)

I have been acting as guest moderator lately. Bernard Roy has been attending as a participant – he should be at this upcoming meeting before he heads to France for the summer.

 

As usual, the meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the back room at Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant at the northwest corner of Third Avenue and 26th Street in New York City. In exchange for free meeting space, it is expected that each attendee will purchase a minimum of $5 of food or drink. A glass of red wine can be had for $6 (plus tax and tip.)

 

After winding down our discussion, we entertain and vote on proposals for the topic question for the next meeting.

 

There are also usually some attendees who go across the street to McCormack's Pub for drinks and food and extended discussion after Cafe Philo, but not limited to the scheduled discussion topic.

 

There are a number of small groups in the U.S. and Europe who meet regularly to discuss topics related to philosophy. Some of these groups go by the name "Cafe Philo." There is one here in New York City that meets every two weeks, every other Thursday. It is organized and moderated by Bernard Roy, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Ramapo College of New Jersey. Each meeting focuses on a specific topic which was suggested and voted on by the participants at the last meeting.

 

-- Jack Krupansky