The Philosophy Group tends to examine philosophical issues of contemporary interest, rather than discussing the work of the ancients - except when they have something interesting to say about the topic in hand.

Over the last few months we have been looking at so-called  European Philosophy, mainly in the twentieth century, and concentrating on existentialism. At our April meeting we focussed on the philosophy of Old Age, using Simone de Beauvoir’s work ‘Old Age’ to look firstly at the different treatments the aged receive in different cultures, and then to examine the reasons for this.  De Beauvoir asserted that the old were badly treated because they were unproductive – they consumed resources and failed to contribute.  This is a similar argument being used nowadays for restricting pension payments.  We last longer so we must be paid less.

Taking this discussion to its logical next step, we will next discuss the facts of life.  Or rather, one fact that is true for every biological entity on the planet.  So we will next look at the philosophy of death.

We continue to meet on the third Monday of the month at the Carriage House, Higham Ferrers.