Man’s Best Friend: Dogs and their place in human affections and society

An illustrated talk and discussion led by Simon Whipple. All welcome — free entry. A small donation of around £3.00 is appreciated but not obligatory. Browse our lending library and stay for coffee and further discussion after the main event.

Dogs are loyal companions to many, but attitudes toward them vary across and within cultures. What does our bond with dogs reveal about human needs, values, and identity? Should private passions, like dog ownership, ever be imposed on public spaces? Following last month’s talk about John Stuart Mill – attended mostly by humans – we’ll discuss the ethics of liberty, harm, and cultural difference. How should humanists navigate differences of opinion between personal freedom and public comfort? Join us for a lively exploration of dogs, morals, multiculturalism — and the limits of liberty. Simon is a member of our committee and has spoken at several of our meetings.

Our seating arrangements will allow for small group discussions and so please sign up here on Meetup if you plan to attend so we know how many people will take part.

Only assistance dogs trained to support a disability are permitted at our speaker events. Dogs are welcome on our walks.