ATTENTION!!!!!! This group is being transfered to a different site. If you want to join Chicago Veg*n Nerds, go here: http://www.meetup.com/vegNerds _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ We get together for various events. They can be for social, ethical, and / or intellectual purposes. We encourage all members to suggest event ideas, on the Message board. Some events we have include: 1. Potlucks 2. Socials at …

Interested in re-examining fundamental concepts concerning faith and religion? If so, then welcome to the Philosophical Sunday School Meetup. This group concerns itself with the study of religion, and other matters of faith, from a philosophical perspective.  Philosophical here means that our primary concern will be asking questions, our secondary concern will be trying to understand our questions, our tertiary concern will be seeing what types of conclusions can draw, and if we are incredibly …

This group is dedicated to an exploration of the ideas informing educational philosophy, policy-making and planning - including investigation, analysis and critique of educational design at the local, state, national and international levels. I hope to open an erudite and broad-minded conversation about the underlying purpose(s) of public education from an eclectic, multi-angled perspective (i.e., classical Western, Eastern, post-modern, traditionalist, etc.). I am interested in what are the m …

What makes a person different than a rock (and different from every other inanimate object)? Or are we so different after all? Isn't the human body nothing more than a machine which is ultimately comprised of mere molecules and atoms? In what sense, if any, does a person consist of more than his or her physical body? Does a person have a soul? If so, then what do we mean by “soul” and what might the nature of a soul be? In short, what is the phenomena that we call “consciousness?” Moreover, how …

Art Appreciation is the understanding of the timeless qualities that characterise all great art. So too is philosophy concerned with universality and truth. What is your relationship to art? Why is art meaningful to you? This group explores the great world of art, aesthetic experience, and its relation to philosophy.  We will be looking at all types of media from painting to music, poetry and film. Also see these other philosophy groups in Chicago: Greek Philosophy: http://www.meetup.com/So …

"The purpose of this meetup is to provide a venue for individuals who walk the esoteric/inner path but also strive for a balance with their more exoteric & worldly nature. I seek others like myself who walk the inner path and have experienced inner transfigurations and can examine these powerful, spiritual experiences from a scientific & psychological lens, who introspect ruthlessly, who are open to exploring the inner realms of self-identity, and who value knowledge and wisdom above all.  I hav …

The Ethical Humanist Society is a congregation for those who seek a rational, compassionate philosophy of life without regard to belief or non-belief in a supreme being.

Self Enquiry Life Fellowship is a US based Nonprofit stablished to preserve and disseminate indigenous knowledge from the ancient Sanskrit heritage, including extant literature, spiritual practices of Vedic antiquity, esoteric Himalayan yoga and meditation techniques of unbroken lineages. The Nonprofit aims to make accessible through its educational publishing projects, the spiritual philosophy passed down by the monastic lineages of Himalayan masters and intonated Sanskrit hymns meant for subl …

This group is for people who like to mix philosophical discourse and drinking. If you're looking for carefully moderated debate, look elsewhere. These discussions are unstructured intellectual free-for-alls - the only two constants are booze and a keen interest in the nature of reality and human existence. We take philosophy very seriously, but we don't think taking it seriously demands that you act like an academic when discussing it. No formal training is necessary - no one will be expected to …

We meet twice a month to discuss designated during the taping of Insight Radio.  (If you have not listened, here is the last show:  Insight Radio is looking for guests for our next show on current events.  Here are recent shows: Guest: Fran Hawthorne, Author of Ethical Chic: The Inside Story of the Companies We Think We Love. Award-winning journalist Fran Hawthorne has been a writer or editor at Fortune, BusinessWeek, Institutional Investor, Crane's and other publications. She is the author of …

(1 minute video) This group is for people who value and enjoy deeper discussions with amazing people and who are also willing to rise to the occasion by joining us to help make these discussion opportunities an ongoing reality. The events held in this group are all about having fun nights of great people and 'deeper' discussions over dinner in a charming restaurant. This Meetup group was created by Glen Brauer as part of a non-profit global initiative using practical philosophy to bring togeth …

The Chicago Chapter of the Ayn Rand Institute promotes the Institute's mission of educating students and adults on the value of individual rights, reason and free markets. Through ARI's series of outreach and educational workshops, chapter members gain valuable insight into Ayn Rand's philosophy (Objectivism) expressed in her novels, Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, Anthem and We the Living as well as her collection of non-fiction books on philosophy and other topical essays. The Chicago Chapte …

The FB Mission; Fishin’ Buddies! mission is to train children through fishing and conservation programs. To help instill a deep, abiding love for the sublime art of sport fishing. To instill an immutable concern for the air, land and waters of our planet, and a desire to nurture the soul through communion with the outdoors. Our Philosophy; Fishin’ Buddies! believes in the emotional and psychological restorative powers of the outdoors. We believe it is important to expose this philosophy to c …

Chicago Gor is a group of Goreans, Gor-curious, and Gor-interested individuals in and around Chicago. We are a community of Goreans, that is people living by the philosophy and principles of Gor: Honor, Integrity, Strength, Honesty. We welcome other Goreans as well as those interested in learning more about Gor. Our gatherings range from monthly restaurant get-togethers to larger events at the home of one or another member. Nearly all are open to new-comers. There is a Home Stone in Chicago. Gor …

The Chicago Socialist Youth is an amalgam of independant, free thinking youth in Chicago dedicated on creating a radical democracy that places people's lives under their own control - A non-racist, classless, feminist, environmentalist, socialist society in which people cooperate at work, at home, and in the community for the greater good. We seek a society that is based on the fundamental tenets of collective human decency instead of selfish individualism. We fight for a new social and economic …

Bodhi Path Buddhist Center of Chicago (www.bodhipath.org/chicago) is part of an international organization of Buddhist meditation centers founded by Shamar Rinpoche. Rinpoche and many other teachers provide meditation, philosophy instruction, and guidance to learn and practice Buddhism. Resident Dharma Teacher Rachel Parrish offers teachings and meditation instruction. Meditation is practiced through guided instruction geared to the needs of those in attendance. Various texts are also studied an …