The video can be found here.

Key Claims

• Moral realism: Moral statements can be true or false, some are true, and their truth is independent of social convention or human desire

• If we accept that we have reasons for belief and self-interest, we may already be committed to accepting moral reasons too

• Moral reasons may not be categorically different from other reasons we readily accept

Discussion Questions

• If evolution shaped our moral intuitions, should that make us skeptical of them? What about our beliefs about self-interest or logic?

• Can morality just be a useful social technology without being "real"? Would that matter?

• Is there really just one kind of "ought," or are moral oughts fundamentally different from prudential or epistemic oughts?

• Does widespread moral disagreement (across cultures or among philosophers) give us reason to doubt moral realism?

• If moral facts existed but were totally inaccessible to us, would they still matter?

These sessions are participant-driven discussions focused on philosophical essays, facilitated by a trained CU Boulder philosopher. Our goal at each discussion is to build a philosophical dialogue by investigating as a community of thinkers. Each session focuses on a philosophical text, but we do not regard the authors we read as unquestionable authorities. Rather, we consider each author to be another voice in our shared dialogue. 

To prepare, please read the selected text to the best of your ability. Most months you'll find a reading guide linked above. If you are unable to read ahead, please come anyway. We recommend bring a copy of the reading with you - digital or printed out.

At the discussion, after brief introductions and a review of the discussion policies, the facilitator will ask participants to share questions and ideas for group discussion.  The facilitator will then guide the group in working through as many of their questions as possible before recapping and wrapping up the discussion.

No background in philosophy is expected or required. We are excited to discuss the ideas raised by your interaction with the text!

Click here for our discussion guidelines.

Boulder Public Library "Classics of Philosophy" reading group:

We used to have a group just like this group, but meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month. This group has closed, but you can still brows the list of past sessions for ideas on things to read!

Great philosophy podcasts

The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps - Over 350 episodes covering various philosophers and topics. Includes episode series on Indian philosophy and Africana philosophy.

Hi-Phi Nation - approximately 40 episodes (as of 2020) that discuss philosophical ideas in contemporary contexts.  The most recent seasons have focused on issues of justice and politics.

Discussion groups

Grey Havens Philosophy - A Longmont, CO based nonprofit running weekly and monthly philosophical discussion groups for all ages.

Your local philosophers!

Philosophy Department at the University of Colorado - Boulder