The OC Philosophy January Meetup

We meet once a month to discuss philosophy: what it is; the various ways it is and might be done; how you are doing it; and what difference it makes. The discussion can be focused on a topic or free flowing, and is open to all levels of experience.

For the January 18, 2008 Meetup, we shall ask the question "In addition to science and technology, do the arts, philosophy, and religion also play significant roles in shaping our idea of reality? "

We invite participants to contribute their replies to this question and similar questions. Maybe you think that it's obvious that much of what we experience as reality is determined by science, technology, and engineering. After all, science, especially in the last two centuries, has disclosed much about our world and ourselves that most educated people take to comprise reality. Furthermore, most of the world that we experience daily is a world manufactured and engineered by human invention, unless you happen to live out in the wild away from city and society.

But, maybe you think that philosophical ideas or religious faith still determines ultimate truth, and that the scientific-technological picture is limited to material, economic reality. Maybe you find that art greatly affects our perception of a reality very different from that implied by science. (See the message of January 3 for some thoughts on this possibility.) Or maybe you find that these can work in harmony?

Anyhow, please bring your thoughts on these issues and join us January 18.