The Philosophy Café

The Philosophy Café at Harvard Book Store is a monthly gathering meant for the informal, relaxed, philosophical discussion of topics of mutual interest to participants. No particular expertise is required to participate, only a desire to explore philosophy and its real-world applications.

The Philosophy Café is held on the third Wednesday of each month, from 7:30-9:30 pm, in the Used Book department on the lower level of Harvard Book Store.

Topic of Discussion for April:

Introduction: From self-help books to yoga and meditation classes to community arts programs and lecture series, we live in a society that values personal growth. The current value placed on personal growth has developed from a long American tradition. At least from the early 19th century forward, the populist, progressive and transcendental movements promoted the idea that everyone—whether rural farmers, factory workers, tradesmen, recent immigrants, less-educated people, or well-educated people—should be able to engage in and enjoy lifelong learning and enrichment.

Definition: For this discussion, we will define personal growth as the pursuit of intellectual, artistic, athletic, spiritual, or other personal goals beyond what is necessary for economic security and community health and well-being. Personal growth may be expressed by broadly exploring many different interests or it may be expressed as pursuing a particular passion. It may or may not involve socially valuable topics, but it goes beyond what is necessary for your own economic well-being and your immediate community’s needs. By this definition, personal growth is “personal” and “growth-oriented.”

For example, by this definition, personal growth is not confined to practical skills needed to work on your family’s farm or to work in the trade or occupation that your father worked in; it is not confined to learning an established body of knowledge in areas such as religion, the arts, literature, housework, or farmwork; and it focuses on understanding yourself and reaching your full potential, exploring new ideas or new ways of living and re-discovering and getting a fresh perspective on old ideas.

Discussion Question: Is personal growth a universal human goal?

Related Questions:

- Are there individuals or societies that, by choice or by necessity, see personal growth as less important than other goals? (Or, turning the question around, are there particular societies that have emphasized personal growth?)

- Do you think that there are conflicting or competing goals that are more important than personal growth?

- Does the pursuit of personal growth have any function in the evolution or survival of the species?

- Are there any historic, scientific, or philosophical foundations for the idea that personal growth is a universal human goal? (Or, are there any historic, scientific, or philosophical foundations for the idea that personal growth is NOT universally valued or valuable?)

- From your point of view—philosophical, ethical, religious or other—what type of personal growth is most valuable and why?

Why is this topic important? It is important as a practical/personal issue; as a historical/cultural issue; and as a science/psychology issue.

Reading and Discussion Outline:

1. History: Adult Education, Social Reform and related movements in 19th century America:

• Chautaqua: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chautauqua
• The Lyceum Movement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyceum_movement
• Settlement Houses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull_House
• Labor movement (Lucy Larcom, Lowell mill worker): http://www.nps.gov/lowe/historyculture/upload/Lucy%20Larcom_Lowell%20Notes.pdf
• Transcendetalists – Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller & others: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/poet/fuller.html and http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/ideas/education.html

2. Science and psychology

• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and conflicting views

             Maslow and self-actualization: http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds.htm

             Two criticisms of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:

             a. http://asunews.asu.edu/20100819_maslowspyramid

             b. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/who-we-are/201007/skinny-maslows-hierarchy

• A view from naturalism: Does our society place too much emphasis on self-determination and self-help? See “Personal and Social Consequences of Naturalism” at http://naturalism.org/conseque.htm and “Democratizing Success” at http://naturalism.org/Democratizing%20success.htm

3. Philosophy and Religion

• Socrates: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
• Religious values that are related to personal growth – social activism, environment/harmony with nature, contemplative spiritual practice.

4. Defining and re-defining personal growth

• Social connectedness
• Communities and health
• Ecology and environment