This year, at the Burning Man arts festival in the Nevada desert, there will be an installation called the Philosophy Garden. This is a garden where people can meet to argue, discuss and debate, in the spirit of critical thought and the examined life. See
www.laserminimalism.com/garden18a.html for an artist’s conception. I’m seeking people who plan to go to Burning Man and want to stand in front of a small audience to present lectures or lead discussions of philosophical topics. This could mean anything from idealist metaphysics to the practical virtues of skepticism. The lectures should be aimed at an educated lay audience, free from jargon but communicating difficult concepts in an engaging way. Props can be used to illustrate ideas visually. A half hour talk with another half hour for discussion is a workable format, but timing is flexible. These presentations will be scheduled on a sign, along with times for general discussion of various “big ideas.” No harangues or crackpot rants will be allowed. The Philosophy Garden is an “authority-free zone” where experts are treated with respect, but not believed without question. The aim is to encourage critical thinking.
Contact Russell Wilcox at
rwilcox@jps.net if you are interested.
Facebook.com
Twitter.com
