Socrates Cafe Marks 17 Years of Thoughtful Conversations

Arts & Culture

Socrates Cafe Marks 17 Years of Thoughtful Conversations

 

By Socrates Cafe Moderator August 11, 2024

Since 2007, a diverse group of locals and foreigners has met in Seomyeon every Sunday morning to engage in deep and meaningful discussions.

 

They gather with questions — about relationships, work, politics, society, love, death, and more — constantly probing and questioning the answers they find.

 

The Busan Socrates Cafe is a gathering for those who enjoy wrestling with complex questions rather than settling for easy answers.

 

The Busan Socrates Cafe was launched 17 years ago by literature teacher Kim Lee Homme as a space for philosophical dialogue. Even after Homme left Korea, the group has continued to meet every Sunday at 11 a.m. without interruption.

 

Its success is partly due to its informal structure: there are no obligations, no memberships. Attendees are free to join whenever they wish, and it’s perfectly fine to miss a few meetings.

 

This open-door policy has led to an eclectic mix of participants. While teachers make up a significant portion, the group also includes doctors, entrepreneurs, artists, and more.

 

Over the years, attendees have included a librarian, a cinematographer, and even a police officer, all coming together to share perspectives.

 

The group excels at promoting open and honest communication between people from different walks of life, making it a valuable space for those seeking intercultural dialogue.

 

Each meeting follows the same format: members submit questions, which can cover anything from age-old philosophical dilemmas like “What is justice?” to more current issues inspired by the news, such as “Is torture ever justifiable?” The group votes on which question to tackle, and then the discussion begins. While debates can get lively, the atmosphere is generally friendly and relaxed.

 

If you’re someone who enjoys pondering the deeper aspects of life or hearing diverse viewpoints, Socrates Cafe might be exactly what you’re looking for. The group is open to everyone, welcoming all kinds of people and ideas.

 

The Busan Socrates Cafe meets every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Seomyeon Starbucks, near subway exits 10 and 8. You can also connect with them on Facebook.

 

 *첨부:

(2024-08-28) 필사：Socrates Cafe Marks 17 Years of Thoughtful Conversations.docx

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