Building Community Around the Practice of Philosophy
|
The Apeiron Society of Calgary is a community passionate about big ideas that matter.
Through our bi-weekly talks, pop-up events, and annual symposium in Kannaskis, we're building a public forum where people learn to use philosophy to lead more intentional, reflective lives. |
|
Flagship Programs
The Apeiron Speaker Series (Bi-Weekly)
Bi-weekly talks and group discussions about big ideas that matter. The Speaker Series is facilitated by leading experts from across a range of disciplines—from philosophy to literature, to history, psychology, and biomedicine.
|
The Annual Kananskis Symposium
An annual gathering of community members and academic specialists in Kananaskis, for a weekend of thematic lectures, group reflections, and wonderful conversations
|
UP NEXT
The Examined Life (Session 1): Philosophy in Our Everyday Lives
(June 16 ; 18:00-19:30)
The Examined Life (Session 1): Philosophy in Our Everyday Lives
June 16, 2026
June 16, 2026
Description
People tend to think of philosophy as a luxury: a strange practice of abstract reflection and baseless speculation that few of us can afford to indulge. Philosopher Mary Midgley disagreed. She believed that bad thinking leads to bad living. Philosophy, she argued, is how we keep our misguided thoughts and assumptions from sabotaging our lives—by spoiling our relationships, for instance, or thwarting our goals. In short: philosophy is for anyone who wants to lead a good life.
Midgley famously compared philosophy to plumbing. Just as we need specialized skills to recognize and fix hidden leaks that cause water damage, we need specialized skills to recognize and fix faulty ideas that cause bad decisions. Those of us who want to make better everyday decisions, she argued, should pick up philosophical skills that can be applied to our everyday lives.
In the first session of The Examined Life*, we will explore Midgley's vision of philosophy as a form of “plumbing” for the mind: a way of identifying and repairing the assumptions that misguide our everyday thoughts and actions. Join us as we discuss how philosophy can help us think more clearly and, ultimately, improve our lives.
Practical Information
🗓️ Date: June 16, 2026.
⌚ Time: 18:00—20:30 (MTD).
🗺️ Location: Virtual (Zoom-Based).
✍️ Sign-Up (for The Examined Life): https://forms.gle/2zqkBow7kFuhyc2A8 or reach out to our student director, Ahmed Al-Juhany ([email protected]) with your name and preferred email address.
🔗 Zoom Link: Sent separately upon registration.
* The Examined Life — An Apeiron Conversation
This event is part of The Examined Life: a 5-part, online converation series where we discuss philosophical ideas that are relevant to our everyday lives. The series will run every other Tuesday from June 16 to August 25 (excluding July 28).
The series is open to everyone: whether you're new to philosophy or want to continue exploring philosophical ideas! To register, please click on the button below or reach out to our student director, Ahmed Al-Juhany ([email protected]).
People tend to think of philosophy as a luxury: a strange practice of abstract reflection and baseless speculation that few of us can afford to indulge. Philosopher Mary Midgley disagreed. She believed that bad thinking leads to bad living. Philosophy, she argued, is how we keep our misguided thoughts and assumptions from sabotaging our lives—by spoiling our relationships, for instance, or thwarting our goals. In short: philosophy is for anyone who wants to lead a good life.
Midgley famously compared philosophy to plumbing. Just as we need specialized skills to recognize and fix hidden leaks that cause water damage, we need specialized skills to recognize and fix faulty ideas that cause bad decisions. Those of us who want to make better everyday decisions, she argued, should pick up philosophical skills that can be applied to our everyday lives.
In the first session of The Examined Life*, we will explore Midgley's vision of philosophy as a form of “plumbing” for the mind: a way of identifying and repairing the assumptions that misguide our everyday thoughts and actions. Join us as we discuss how philosophy can help us think more clearly and, ultimately, improve our lives.
Practical Information
🗓️ Date: June 16, 2026.
⌚ Time: 18:00—20:30 (MTD).
🗺️ Location: Virtual (Zoom-Based).
✍️ Sign-Up (for The Examined Life): https://forms.gle/2zqkBow7kFuhyc2A8 or reach out to our student director, Ahmed Al-Juhany ([email protected]) with your name and preferred email address.
🔗 Zoom Link: Sent separately upon registration.
* The Examined Life — An Apeiron Conversation
This event is part of The Examined Life: a 5-part, online converation series where we discuss philosophical ideas that are relevant to our everyday lives. The series will run every other Tuesday from June 16 to August 25 (excluding July 28).
The series is open to everyone: whether you're new to philosophy or want to continue exploring philosophical ideas! To register, please click on the button below or reach out to our student director, Ahmed Al-Juhany ([email protected]).
Frequently Asked Questions
— Do I need to have studied philosophy to become a member?
— Do I need to prepare in advance before attending one of the Apeiron Society of Calgary's philosophy events?
— Can I drop in to try out an event before committing to a membership with the Apeiron Society?
— What are the benefits of getting a membership in Apeiron Society of Calgary?
— Can members participate in planning, organizing, or leading activities with the Apeiron Society?
- Not at all! Our philosophy events and programs are open to people of all backgrounds.
— Do I need to prepare in advance before attending one of the Apeiron Society of Calgary's philosophy events?
- You need nothing but a hunger for big ideas! The Apeiron Society of Calgary strives to ensure that our philosophy events are accessible to all, requiring no preparation beforehand.
— Can I drop in to try out an event before committing to a membership with the Apeiron Society?
- Absolutely! We ask that non-members donate $10 as a drop-in fee for each event attended. If you decide you want to become a member of the Apeiron Society, then you can have your donations to go towards your membership fee. Just reach out to us at [email protected] and let us know!
— What are the benefits of getting a membership in Apeiron Society of Calgary?
- You'll be able to attend our Speaker Series for free, receive discounted (and preferential) access to our annual Kananskis Symposium, and be invited to attend our pop-up philosophy events and after-event socials! In short, you'll be a part of our community!
— Can members participate in planning, organizing, or leading activities with the Apeiron Society?
- Yes! All members are welcome to suggest, plan, or help lead a philosophy event with the Apeiron Society of Calgary. In the past, we've helped members deliver talks in our Speaker Series as well as organize their own pop-up philosophy events.