Building Community Around the Practice of Philosophy
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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. |
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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.
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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
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The Apeiron Speaker Series (W26) — Up Next:
No Use Without Usability: Why We Need Community-Based Philosophy
Ahmed Al-Juhany
(PhD Candidate at the University of Calgary; Director at The Apeiron Society)
Feb 24, 2026
Ahmed Al-Juhany
(PhD Candidate at the University of Calgary; Director at The Apeiron Society)
Feb 24, 2026
Event Description:
The world is in turmoil, and it’s making some philosophers uncomfortable. They believe our discipline has failed to respond to the crises of our times—that too much of academic philosophy devotes itself irrelevant questions and useless ideas. They argue that, in allowing our discipline to devolve this way, we philosophers have not lived up to our social and ethical responsibilities.
In this talk, I'll explore the critics' proposed remedies: that we make philosophy “socially relevant” (Kitcher 2022; De Cruz 2025; Elliott 2025) and that we engage in “public philosophy” (Nguyen 2025). I'll argue that these proposals miss their mark. They focus too much on the content and delivery of 'useful' ideas, and not enough on ensuring those ideas can actually be used. Giving examples of public-facing initiatives—largely my own—I show this approach doesn't help us reliably produce ideas that people find "usable." I offer an alternative approach, one that calls for us to carry out community-based research and design practical social programs that address specific communities' concerns.
Speaker Bio:
Ahmed is a PhD Candidate in Philosophy at the University of Calgary, where he examines how our ideas about aging and health shape our lives. When he’s not rushing to meet his academic deadlines, Ahmed works as a community educator, designing and delivering learning material on all things age-related for audiences outside the academy. He is a Director at the Apeiron Society for the Practice of Philosophy, and a volunteer educator at Osteoporosis Canada and Art Your Service.
Practical Information:
🗓️ Date: Feb 24, 2026.
⌚ Time: 19:00 — 21:00
🗺️ Address: Scandinavian Centre, 739 – 20th Ave NW, Calgary.
This event is open to non-members. Do drop-in!
Please contact [email protected] to request more information.
The world is in turmoil, and it’s making some philosophers uncomfortable. They believe our discipline has failed to respond to the crises of our times—that too much of academic philosophy devotes itself irrelevant questions and useless ideas. They argue that, in allowing our discipline to devolve this way, we philosophers have not lived up to our social and ethical responsibilities.
In this talk, I'll explore the critics' proposed remedies: that we make philosophy “socially relevant” (Kitcher 2022; De Cruz 2025; Elliott 2025) and that we engage in “public philosophy” (Nguyen 2025). I'll argue that these proposals miss their mark. They focus too much on the content and delivery of 'useful' ideas, and not enough on ensuring those ideas can actually be used. Giving examples of public-facing initiatives—largely my own—I show this approach doesn't help us reliably produce ideas that people find "usable." I offer an alternative approach, one that calls for us to carry out community-based research and design practical social programs that address specific communities' concerns.
Speaker Bio:
Ahmed is a PhD Candidate in Philosophy at the University of Calgary, where he examines how our ideas about aging and health shape our lives. When he’s not rushing to meet his academic deadlines, Ahmed works as a community educator, designing and delivering learning material on all things age-related for audiences outside the academy. He is a Director at the Apeiron Society for the Practice of Philosophy, and a volunteer educator at Osteoporosis Canada and Art Your Service.
Practical Information:
🗓️ Date: Feb 24, 2026.
⌚ Time: 19:00 — 21:00
🗺️ Address: Scandinavian Centre, 739 – 20th Ave NW, Calgary.
This event is open to non-members. Do drop-in!
Please contact [email protected] to request more information.
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.