Philosophy for Life
Join a reading and discussion group at Rinconada Library questioning everyday beliefs about hustle, success, and self-reliance.
Philosophy for Life: A friendly reading and discussion group at the library, exploring big ideas about how we live and what we value. Why do we believe that success means constant hustle, that more is always better, or that everyone must go it alone? What other ways of thinking might help us make sense of everyday life? Together, we'll read accessible texts from different philosophical traditions and enjoy open, respectful conversations about the assumptions shaping our world. Open to adults, young adults and seniors. No background in philosophy required—just curiosity and a willingness to talk and listen. We'll read the following books: Living for Pleasure: An Epicurean Guide to Life by Emily A. Austin; A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine; Choosing Freedom: A Kantian Guide to Life by Karen Stohr; On Being and Becoming: an Existentialist Approach to Life by Jennifer Anna Gosetti-Ferencei; Blooming in the Ruins: How Mexican Philosophy Can Guide Us Toward the Good Life by Carlos Alberto Sánchez. We'll meet every first and third Sunday at the Rinconada Library from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM. In order to ensure an engaging discussion in which all can participate, attendance is limited to registrants. If the maximum capacity has been reached, please join the waitlist and you will be notified if you have been added to the group. Also, if you need to cancel your registration, please do so by 6:00 PM the Thursday before the meeting so people on the waitlist can be registered. A detailed list of readings for each meeting can be found on the library calendar under the date of the corresponding meeting. Moderated by Natalia & Lottie, PACL staff. For November 15th: Topic: An Epicurean in Public Life: Justice and Injustice "Justice's greatest reward is peace of mind." Fragment 80. "Justice was never an entity in itself. It is a kind of agreement not to harm or be harmed, made when men associate with each other at any time and in communities of any size whatsoever." Principal Doctrine 33. "Injustice is not an evil in itself. Its evil lies in the anxious fear that you will not elude those who have authority to punish such misdeeds." Principal Doctrine 34. "It is impossible to leave the pleasant life without also living sensibly, nobly, and justly, and conversely it is impossible to live sensibly, nobly, and justly without living pleasantly. A person who does not have a pleasant life is not living sensibly, nobly, and justly, and conversely the person who does not have these virtues cannot live pleasantly." Principal Doctrine 5. Literature: Living for Pleasure. An Epicurean Guide to Life by Emily A. Austin. Ch. 8 (pp. 80-91). Some Questions to Discuss: Based on the ideas expressed in the Principal Doctrines, what is Epicurus's view on the source of justice in society? What is the connection that Epicurus draws between injustice and corrosive desires according to Austin's analysis of his views on injustice? Is it easy to be just? Is it hard to be unjust?
- When
- Sunday, November 15, 2026 · 3:30 PM–4:45 PM
- Where
- Rinconada Library — 1213 Newell Rd. Palo Alto Map
- Listed by
- Palo Alto City Library
- Registration
- Registration full · Check with the organizer
- Refreshed