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South Florida often is seen as a glossy, sexy place, everything on the surface. Beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, beautiful bodies. It is warm waters and warm breezes on the skin. It is hot sun on the face and hot sand under the feet. Everyone knows this is a great spot to be, whether to visit or to live. But usually South Florida is not viewed as an area with much intellectual depth. Sometimes that’s even true. But I see the interior landscape here gradually changing. There has been an obvious growth in important art events in Fort Lauderdale and throughout the three county region, as well as development in our literary and musical scenes. More and more writers, artists and musicians are becoming residents. Increasingly, there is a mind to go along with that beautiful tanned surface.
So I find it especially encouraging that South Florida now has a Café Philo. And it’s right here in Fort Lauderdale on one Saturday afternoon each month. Pronounced in the French style, (as, café FEE-lo) Café Philo is a meeting of minds and opinions about philosophical issues. Just one issue each month, suggested and voted on by the whole group. Last month, we talked about "What is happiness" for two hours – some 20 people offering thoughtful, insightful, often very personal views on this complex topic. The discussions are moderated by Gale Prawda, who founded the philosophy café in English both in Paris at the famous Café de Flore and London at the French Institute. She now teaches philosophy at the University of Miami.
This informal exchange of ideas is open to anyone. The basic principle of a Café Philo is to make philosophy accessible to all in a public forum, as in the days of Socrates. Similar cafés now hold regular sessions throughout France as well as in countries such as Japan, Canada, England, Argentina, Chile, Germany, Belgium and South Africa. In Fort Lauderdale, the café is sponsored by the Alliance Française, an organization that teaches and promotes the French language and culture. Held at Stork’s on Las Olas, the meeting costs just $8, or $5 for members of the Alliance Française or students. The next session will be this weekend, December 8, starting at 2 p.m. For more information, call the Alliance Française at 954-523-9052. You may be surprised to learn just how much intellect is below the lovely surface of South Florida. We really do have a mind here. Café Philo offers yet more proof of that.
So I find it especially encouraging that South Florida now has a Café Philo. And it’s right here in Fort Lauderdale on one Saturday afternoon each month. Pronounced in the French style, (as, café FEE-lo) Café Philo is a meeting of minds and opinions about philosophical issues. Just one issue each month, suggested and voted on by the whole group. Last month, we talked about "What is happiness" for two hours – some 20 people offering thoughtful, insightful, often very personal views on this complex topic. The discussions are moderated by Gale Prawda, who founded the philosophy café in English both in Paris at the famous Café de Flore and London at the French Institute. She now teaches philosophy at the University of Miami.
This informal exchange of ideas is open to anyone. The basic principle of a Café Philo is to make philosophy accessible to all in a public forum, as in the days of Socrates. Similar cafés now hold regular sessions throughout France as well as in countries such as Japan, Canada, England, Argentina, Chile, Germany, Belgium and South Africa. In Fort Lauderdale, the café is sponsored by the Alliance Française, an organization that teaches and promotes the French language and culture. Held at Stork’s on Las Olas, the meeting costs just $8, or $5 for members of the Alliance Française or students. The next session will be this weekend, December 8, starting at 2 p.m. For more information, call the Alliance Française at 954-523-9052. You may be surprised to learn just how much intellect is below the lovely surface of South Florida. We really do have a mind here. Café Philo offers yet more proof of that.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 3:23 PM
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