May 2019 Philosophy Mini-Drive-In (Happiness & Meaning)

In this TED Talk & Philosophy-inspired movie night facilitated by Thomas Baumeister, we explored questions about happiness & meaning through the practice of Socratic inquiry.  Primed by a TED talk film by scholar Emily Esfahani Smith, we looked at the nature of happiness, meaning, and more. Access resources here!

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What Our 2018-2019 PLATO Grant Helped Fund in the Helena Community

Grant awards are a huge part of the success and longevity of non-profit organizations. We are deeply humbled by the support shown to us in 2018 by PLATO! Because of their generous $7,000 award, we were able to offer the Helena (and surrounding) communities a host of interactive and unique philosophy programs throughout the year. Check out what their grant helped fund!

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Merlin Receives $3,000 Grant from PLATO for their 2019-2020 Philosophy in the Community Program(s)

Wow!  What an honor! We cannot express enough how much we love the Philosophy Learning & Teaching organization! For the 3rd year in a row, PLATO is awarding our organization a grant for our Philosophy in the Community program…and this year in the amount of $3,000. We are honored to have been selected by this amazing organization for three years in a row and are looking forward to providing the Helena & surrounding communities with a host of unique, fun & accessible opportunities to do “get their hands dirty with philosophy!”  Thank you so much, PLATO.

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March 2019 Philosophy Mini-Drive-In (Altruism)

In this TED Talk & Philosophy inspired movie night facilitated by Thomas Baumeister, we explored questions about altruism through the practice of socratic inquiry. Primed by a scholarly TED Talk discussion by Matthieu Ricard, we looked at the nature of consciousness, its function and evolution, and more. Access resources here!

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January 2019 Philosophy Mini-Drive-In (Consciousness)

In this TED Talk & Philosophy inspired movie night facilitated by Thomas Baumeister, we explored questions about consciousness through the practice of socratic inquiry. Primed by scholarly TED Talk discussion by David Chalmers and Seth Anil, we looked at the science and philosophy of consciousness e.g., what is it, how does it work, where does it live, what does it do for us, and why does it matter that we have it?

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Merlin Receives $500 Grant from Helena Exchange Club for their Philosophy in the Community for Kids Programs

We are thrilled to announce that our organization has received a GRANT for the second year in a row from the HELENA EXCHANGE CLUB! Thank you so much, HEC, for believing in our vision and awarding us $500 for our Philosophy in the Community Program(s) for youth, teens, and children.

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June 2018 Philosophy Drive-In

We had a wonderful time at our June Philosophy Drive-In.  Our group watched Stand By Me (one of our all-time favorite coming-of-age stories) and enjoyed a great post-film discussion about friendship, change, mortality, vulnerability, and growing up.  Some of the questions we explored included: Is it possible to have a coming-of-age…

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April 2018 Philosophy Drive-In

Our April Philosophy Drive-In was amazing!  A packed house…our  ecclectic group of philosophy & movie-lovers enjoyed a “night under the stars without the cars,” good snacks, great conversation, and a viewing of the intriguing autobiographical account of the life and work of Eric Kandel in In Search of Memory.  Some…

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