Philosophy

Status:Active, open to new members
Leader:
When: Monthly on Monday mornings
2nd Monday of the Month 10.30 to 12.00 am.
Venue: Halesworth Co-op Community Room

INTRODUCTION: Everybody has a philosophical outlook whether they are aware of this or not. This is most often a mixed bag of wisdoms of varying degrees of truthfulness and reliability.

When people meet the term philosophy they think of hermetic old men with long white beards vainly searching for illusive wisdom as they sweat in isolation over the written word. The misconception dies hard,  that philosophy belongs in books, often very old ones, and that somehow the answers to mankind’s problems can be resolved if only we study these texts more carefully to excavate the wisdom buried within their dusty pages.

While this ivory tower stereotype has a grain of truth to it, philosophy is in reality anything but this. It can help us to be more tuned in to the external world and to develop as better thinkers and doers, as thought guides practice and vice versa. It is in a nutshell, eminently accessible and far from being over difficult.

Our aim is to understand the nature of thought, the relationship between theory and practice, and the significance of method. In short to become better thinkers.  Amongst the questions the group seeks to address are:  

  • Do we think because we exist, or do we exist because we think?
  • How do we know what we know?
  • How can we be sure that our knowledge has secure foundations to it?
  • What are the preconditions for certainty?
  • In what circumstances should we exercise scepticism and doubt?

Our aim is also to explore the history of philosophy to give a context to the whole range of thought, including science, morality, religion, technology. In the past we focused on some of the most important Greek philosophers [Socrates, Plato and Aristotle], Confucius, and Enlightenment thinkers namely Descartes, Locke, Berkeley, Hume , Kant, Hegel and Marx.

ACTIVITIES: The u3a group accommodates members at all levels of understanding and believes that everybody has got something offer and where contributions are based upon mutual respect.  

Normally, 1-2 members will research the month's chosen topic in advance and will make a short presentation to be followed by discussion.

As a minimum requirement, members agree to undertake a small amount of reading each month to further their understanding and equip them to get the most out of the monthly sessions.

CHARGES: No fixed charge but donations for tea/coffee welcome.

This group currently has places available. Please contact the Philosophy Group Leader.

List of Interest Groups

Groups listed by category

Arts

  • Art Appreciation
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Tuesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    The Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month.
  • Drawing for the Terrified
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
    Various Tuesdays starting in October.
  • Exploring the Novel
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    3rd Thursday of the Month, 2.00 to 4.00 pm.
  • Film Appreciation
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Monday afternoons 2:30 pm-3:30 pm
    2nd Monday of each Month
  • Shakespeare
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
    Week of the month varies but is generally the 1st week. See programme of meetings for dates.

Cycling

  • Social Cycling
    Status: Active
    Weekly
    Thursdays and Sundays throughout the year (alternate to begin with, so a rolling 2 alternate Thursdays and 2 alternate Sundays a month depending on members wishes)

Entertainment

  • Lunch on Friday
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday afternoons
    3rd Friday of the Month.
  • Real Ale and Local Pubs
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    1st Thursday of the Month, approx 12.00 to 2.30 pm depending on pub opening times and transport.
  • Supper Club
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Saturday evenings
    Last Saturday evening of the Month, starting at 6.30 pm and lasting as long as the chatter continues.
  • u3a Film Club
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Tuesdays 2:00 pm
    1st Tuesday of the month
  • Wine Appreciation
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Wednesday evenings
    2nd Wednesday of the Month, 5.30 pm.

Games

  • Bridge
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursday afternoons
    2.00 to 4.00 pm.
  • Canasta
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings
    Every Tuesday, 10.30am.
  • Mah-jong
    Status: Waiting list
    Weekly on Thursday mornings
    Every Thursday 10.00 am.
  • Rummikub
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursdays 10:30 am
    Every Thursday of the month
  • Scrabble
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    2nd Wednesday of the Month 1.30 pm.
  • Snooker
    Status: Active
    Weekly
    Tues, Wed and Thurs mornings at 11.00 am.

General

  • Church Crawlers
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    4th Wednesday of the Month, April to October, 2.00 pm.
  • Climate and Environmental Discussion
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday afternoons 3:00 pm
    4th Monday of each month.
  • Discussion
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings
    3rd Wednesday of the Month, 10.30 am.
  • Family History
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Tuesday afternoons
    1st Tuesday of the Month, 2.00 pm.
  • Flower Arranging
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    1st Monday of the Month
  • Handicraft
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday afternoons
    3rd Monday of the Month, 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
  • Members' Coffee Hour
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday mornings
    Every last Friday of the Month, 11.00 to 12.00 am. Excluding August and December.
  • Philosophy
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday mornings
    2nd Monday of the Month 10.30 to 12.00 am.
  • Photography
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    2nd Thursday of the Month, 2.00 to 4.00 pm.
  • Reading for Pleasure
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    1st Thursday of the Month, 2.00 pm.

History

  • Local History
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Monday mornings
    3rd Monday of the Month, 10.30 am.

Languages

  • French Conversation
    Status: Active
    Fortnightly on Friday mornings
    1st & 3rd Friday each Month, morning.
  • Spanish
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings 10:45 am-12:00 pm

Music

  • Guitar
    Status: Active
    Electric Guitar: 2nd Wed of the month 3.45pm to 5.45pm at Westhall Village Hall. Acoustic Guitar: last Thursday of the month 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Co-op Community Room.
  • Jazz
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    Third Monday of the month
  • Music Appreciation
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
    4th Thursday of the Month.
  • Ukulele
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Natural History

  • Bird Watching
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings
    1st Wednesday of the Month, 10.00 am

Science and Technology

  • Community Technology
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons
    3rd Wednesday of the Month, 2.00 pm.
  • Science Study
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons
    4th Thursday of the Month 2.00 pm.

Sport

  • Kurling
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    Last Thursday of the month.
  • Lawn Bowls
    Status: Active
    On Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
  • Table Tennis
    Status: Dormant
    Weekly on Wednesday afternoons
    Every Wednesday, 3.30 to 5.00 pm.

Walking

  • Shorter Walks
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday mornings
    3rd Friday of the Month, morning starting in March.
  • The Two-to-Three Milers
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Fridays 10:45 am
    First Friday of every month
  • Walking
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday mornings
    2nd Thursday of each Month 10.30 am start.