What we’re about
Welcome to Plato's Cave where, as prisoners of this realm, we seek enlightenment through inquiry, reflection and cordial dialog. 
Thank you for your interest in Plato's Cave.
If you are interested in discussing philosophy, and related subjects, consider joining Plato's Cave. We are delighted that you have found us, and we hope that your participation with our group will be mutually enjoyable. I personally look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our band of amateur philosophers. Our weekly meetings are currently held on Sunday mornings at 9:00 EST. Plato's Cave philosophers have joined Orlando Stoics for a series of member-led forums. Plato's Cave is now accepting membership applications from persons who wish to participate online. Meeting participation may be limited. You may reserve admission status via RSVP on our Meetup web page to access login or location information. If your participation plans change, please update your RSVP.
Here are a few expectations to keep in mind:
- Cordial dialog and respect for the opinions of others is expected.
- Political or religious proselytizing is discouraged except as such may fall within the scope of the discussion topic.
- Promoting or selling commercial products is discouraged.
- Inactive members are removed from the member list after a period of non-participation. (Visiting our web site demonstrates a member's continuing interest and counts as participation.)
- Before committing yourself to attend a Plato's Cave meeting, it is strongly recommended that you visit our discussion and files sections and familiarize yourself with the suggested reading materials on the selected topic in order to fully participate in the discussion.
I hope that those reasonable expectations don't discourage you from joining a truly fun and interesting group of amateur philosophers.
Finally, before being accepted as a member, and for purposes of introduction, we do request that you briefly answer three questions:
- Tell us a little about yourself and your interest in philosophy;
- Which two or three programs from the Plato's Cave past meetings interest you the most?;
- Do you accept the member guidelines described in the Plato's Cave 'about' section?
Warm Regards,
Steve, Plato’s Cave Organizer
Upcoming events (1)
See all- The 7-Fold Path to TranquilityLink visible for attendees
Warm Greetings to Plato's Cave Members,
You are invited to join us virtually from wherever you are this Sunday morning, June 15, 2025 at 9:00, for our Plato's Cave forum.
CONNECTING TO SUNDAY’S PLATO'S CAVE FORUM
By computer, tablet or smart-phone, click on the Zoom link to join the zoom meeting:ZOOM LOGIN: Sign up to reserve a place and get the Zoom link
TITLE: The 7-Fold Path to Tranquility
DESCRIPTION
In turbulent times (uncertainty and increased conflict), tranquility is essential. It offers more than a retreat from reality, but in addition, it becomes a stabilizing force that preserves clarity and morality for individuals and the population. When external chaos threatens our lives and values, inner calm allows individuals to respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively. This promotes reason over fear. In this series, we will explore 7 philosophical and psychological areas that promote tranquility and personal resilience. The world may feel unpredictable, but we can choose wisdom and empathy.SCHEDULE
6-15-2025 Part 1
6-22-2025 Part 2
6-29-2025 Part 3
7-06-2025 Part 4
7-13-2025 Part 5
7-20-2025 Part 6
7-29-2025 Part 7TOPICS
1. Control and Acceptance (Stoicism): focus on what’s within your control and accept the rest. We start the series with some key Stoic concepts from Epictetus and Camus. We can maintain composure amidst political, personal, and global uncertainty. READING: Modern Stoicism article on externals (4 pages).
https://modernstoicism.com/resistance-is-futile-stoic-counsel-about-externals-by-william-ferraiolo/2. The Illusion of Desire (Buddhism): if you can reduce desires, you will find inner peace. We will explore how society practices consumerism and endless craving. The SEP sums up Schopenhauer’s work, saying we should “...minimize our natural desires for the sake of achieving a more tranquil frame of mind…”. READING: the SEP article on Schopenhauer has a section 5.2 on curbing desires (3.5 pages).
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/schopenhauer/#5.23. Mindfulness and Presence (Zen): we can find peace by giving our full attention to the present moment. This contrasts with the speed and demands of modern society, providing endless distraction and increasing anxiety. We will learn from the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh. READING: an article from Plum Village (7 pages, read what you can).
https://plumvillage.org/mindfulness/mindfulness-practice4. Promoting Inner Freedom (Existentialism): we can find true freedom by making careful choices to life's conditions. In return, this builds mental autonomy amid the chaos of world events and media noise. To create a mental practice, we’ll discuss Jean-Paul Sartre’s ideas on freedom. READING: article on Sartre and Existential freedom (3.5 pages).
https://sweetinstitute.com/jean-paul-sartre-and-the-power-of-existential-therapy-embracing-freedom-responsibility-and-authenticity/5. Living Simply (American Transcendentalism): a tranquil life is grounded in simplicity and friendships. One of our guides in this area is Henry David Thoreau and his practices of minimalism and sustainable living. We’ll read a modern blogger who shows how Thoreau helped improve her quality of life. READING: Leeanne’s article on Thoreau (3.5 pages).
https://www.crestingthehill.com.au/2019/08/thoreau-walden-simple-living.html6. Meaning-Making through Suffering (Viktor Frankl): life has difficulty, but our suffering can be transformed through the pursuit of meaning. Suffering can take many forms: trauma, loss, and burnout. We will learn from Viktor Frankl’s work on how to use suffering for personal transformation. Our reading this week says, in part, “...individuals have the agency to choose their response to suffering.” READING: this article covers meaning in the first few paragraphs (4 pages total).
https://achology.com/psychology/finding-lifes-purpose-with-viktor-frankls-mans-search-for-meaning/7. Harmony with Nature (Taoism): achieving a lasting tranquility means aligning yourself with the nature of the universe. Despite anxiety from multiple angles in life, we can find peace by learning Taoist concepts. This week’s article shows us some aspects of nature, include what is qi (pronounce ‘chi’) and how water can be our guide. READING: this article has 3 pages.
https://www.theshantispace.com/blog/3/y/natures-rhythms-daoism-the-five-elementsWe hope you can join us for this new series on Sunday mornings!
Hosted by:
Plato's Cave
https://www.meetup.com/PlatosCave/And
Orlando Stoics
https://www.meetup.com/orlando-stoics/========
SIGN UP TO PRESENT A FUTURE TALK OR VOLUNTEER FOR THE FORUM INTRODUCTION PANEL:
Please submit a relevant discussion subject to Steve (organizer) or Dan that you would like to introduce for a future discussion. The introduction should be about 15 minutes. You may also volunteer to be a member of the Forum Introduction Panel. Potential presenters should participate in the topic selection (meets immediately following previous forum), contribute content ideas, and suggest reading or source material.=====================
Organizer of Philosophy Meetups
StoicDan.com
407-327-7000
https://www.meetup.com/Orlando-Stoics/
