Philosophy for Life
Join a reading and discussion group tackling big questions about hustle, success, and values at Rinconada Library.
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. A detailed list of readings for each meeting can be found on the library calendar under the date of the corresponding meeting. 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. Moderated by Natalia & Lottie, PACL staff. For December 20th: Topic: Becoming an Epicurean? "In other occupations, the reward comes with difficulty after their completion, but in philosophy delight coincides with knowledge. For enjoyment does not come after learning, but learning and enjoyment come together." Vatican Sayings 27. "We must not pretend to be philosophers, but be philosophers in truth. For we do not stand in need of the appearance of health but of true health." Vatican Sayings 54. "By love of true philosophy we are delivered from every disturbing and painful desire." Fragment 66. "The most important consequence of self-sufficiency is freedom." Vatican Sayings 77. "The impassive soul disturbs neither itself nor others." Vatican Sayings 79. Literature: Living for Pleasure. An Epicurean Guide to Life by Emily A. Austin. Chs. 23 (pp. 241-251) and 24 (pp. 252-266). Some Questions to Discuss: In your opinion, which of Epicurus's ideas, if any, have not lost their currency and would be beneficial to our society? What needs to be done to implement them? What challenges may their implementation face?
- When
- Sunday, December 20, 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