BEING TOGETHER. The Philosophy of Community A series of master lectures by Dr. Katarzyna Kasia The topic of the lectures at Big Book Cafe MDM will be community – how does it arise? What threatens it? What binds it together? And if it falls apart once, can it be rebuilt? The philosopher will reflect on issues related to the ongoing transformation of the social world, in which networking does not necessarily lead to a decrease in the sense of individual loneliness. The author of the lectures aims to define and describe the threats, as she is deeply convinced that if anything can save us in the situation of global political crisis and growing planetary catastrophe, it is only ourselves. The lectures take place at Big Book Cafe MDM ul. Koszykowa 34/50 Warsaw The lectures are held in person. We record them for Patrons. - Free tickets are issued for each lecture. - They are available on site from 6:00 PM on the day of the lecture. - The hall has 110 seats and 20 standing places available. 🕒 Lectures last about 60 minutes. Afterwards, there is a Q&A session. The topics of the lectures are connected, we warmly invite you to participate in the entire series, but attending individual lectures will also be fully valuable. 📅 NOVEMBER 24 Lecture #3: Weave. The community of all that lives What would happen if I proposed a change in the paradigm of thinking about community? In conclusion, I will try to talk about a whole that includes everything that lives. This is not about any new inclusivity, but merely the need to describe the factual state, that is, the current situation of planetary catastrophe, in which the awareness of symbiosis and mutual necessity should – in the name of survival – once and for all put an end to discrimination. WHAT'S BEHIND US? DID YOU MISS IT? RECORDING AVAILABLE FOR PATRONS. Support us on Patronite with 40 PLN per month or more and enjoy, among other things, unlimited access to recordings and seat reservations. Learn more: https://patronite.pl/bigbookcafe 📅 September 29, 2025 Lecture #1: Myth Friedrich Nietzsche wrote that without a mythical homeland, a person is doomed to insurmountable uprooting and being lost among infinitely many possibilities, among which it is impossible to find the most important, one's own. How do we move today among stories "from before the beginning of time"? How do we awaken them? Do we need all of them? Can new ones be invented? How are they used in contemporary media narratives? What is the relationship between myth and lies? Are myths the subject of cynical political manipulation? 📅 OCTOBER 27 Lecture #2: Fear. Dark moons An important factor integrating the community is fear, especially fear of strangers, xenophobia. It manifests itself in the belief that others who seek refuge with us certainly bring nothing good. Is it possible to realize the ideal of an "open society"? To what extent do we build our identity based on difference? Why do we need fear and can the sense of belonging cope without it? Why do those to whom we have delegated our authority need fear? The lectures are made possible thanks to funding from the City of Warsaw as part of the Permanent Cultural Program. The event is free of charge. We are a foundation, we operate out of love for reading, we invite you to buy coffee, books, meals, literary accessories from us. Every zloty spent with us has double value. You can also support us with a voluntary donation via Patronite. https://patronite.pl/bigbookcafe
