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Neighbors | Zack Shively .The Friends of the PLYMC Socrates Cafe Philosophy Group met in Austintown library on Sept. 11 to discuss philosophical thoughts. Topics ranged from environmentalism to addiction. Pictured are, from left, Assunta Delfre, Bill Zorn and Shirley Bartlett.
by ZACK SHIVELY
Austintown library hosted the Friends of the PLYMC Socrates Cafe Philosophy Group in their small meeting room on Sept. 11.
Facilitator Shirley Bartlett opened the discussion by talking about the literature another member, Assunta Delfre, checked out to read. Delfre had Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale“ with her.
The group said they enjoyed the Socrates Cafe meetings because it allows them to hear from other people that do not think the same as they do. The discussions make the members think about how other people think and live. The participants in the event agreed that more people need to talk to each other in this manner.
The book sparked Bartlett to begin a conversation on a dystopian future caused by environmental issues. The conversation brought up other ideas of dystopia and utopia as used in other works of literature. Bartlett added different philosophers’ thoughts on environmentalism and utopia.
Bartlett then asked the group to name their favorite philosophers. Bill Zorn answered with Immanuel Kant and explained some of the philosophies he particularly agreed with or disagreed with but found interesting.
These philosophies led to discussions on morality on present-day issues, like capital punishment and isolation for prisoners. The group also talked about personal choices, addiction, euthanasia and government spending.