Philosophy for Life
Join a discussion group questioning ideas about hustle, success, and independence over a shared reading.
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 December 6th: Topic: Epicurus's Challenge to Our Society: Raising a Tranquil Child "The wise man will marry and beget children, as Epicurus tells us in Problems and his work On Nature; but he will marry according to his station in life, whatever it may be." Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 10:119. "Natural wealth is limited and easily obtained; the riches of idle fancies go on forever." Principal Doctrine 15. "Some men spend their whole life furnishing for themselves the things proper to life without realizing that at our birth each of us was poured a moral brew to drink." Vatican Sayings 30. Literature: Living for Pleasure. An Epicurean Guide to Life by Emily A. Austin. Ch. 17 (pp. 180-190). Some Questions to Discuss: In our society, how realistic is Emily Austin's Epicurean plan for raising a child? What are possible impediments to the realization of her plan? What are possible solutions for overcoming these obstacles?
- When
- Sunday, December 6, 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