This is a special event at which guests will eat dinner while discussing THE QUESTION.
The "Socratic potluck dinner" has been one of the neighborhood potluck group's most popular types of events. At these events, guests discuss interesting questions announced before the event. These questions may be serious or whimsical, and may be on any topic: philosophical, political, economic, scientific, religious, artistic, etc.
But we have never before discussed THE question...
...The question that Heidegger described as the fundamental question of metaphysics.
Note that you absolutely do not need to know anything about Heidegger or metaphysics in order to discuss THE QUESTION.
No specialized knowledge is required. No preparation is needed.
This will be a friendly discussion. It is not a lecture or class. The goal of the moderator will be to say as little as possible. The purpose of the event is not to provide answers.
Do I have to participate in the discussion? That's up to you. Guests who attend this event may choose how they participate. Feel free to sit at the square table and discuss THE QUESTION. Or sit at the table and just listen. Or outside of the discussion table and silently listen to the discussion.
What is THE QUESTION? Simply hearing the question is potentially so vexing that we are not going to post THE QUESTION on this page. Once you hear THE QUESTION, you can not un-hear it.
Is it political? No. I have never heard THE QUESTION discussed by politicians or in any political context.
Is THE QUESTION a divisive topic? Interestingly enough, it is not a divisive topic. People think differently about this topic, but it is not a topic that divides people or causes enmity between people.
Is it in the news? No.
Is it philosophical? Scientific? Religious? Depending on one's perspective, it may be all of these. Or none of these.
Is a professor or expert on this topic scheduled to be at this event? No. We have not lined up any sort of content expert. Everyone is welcome to attend. If somebody has professional or academic expertise relating to this topic, that is great! But their participation will not be given any preference or privilege beyond that of anyone else.
If you don't already know what THE QUESTION is, but you are curious, to read the seven words that comprise THE QUESTION, here it is:
What to Bring: Guests may bring any type of food. Enough to feed about 8 to 10 people. Bring a main dish, salad, side dish, etc. Hosts will provide drinks, plates, utensils, etc.
Items guests have signed up to bring:
B. N: TBD
C. W: My wife Kathy will bring a surprise
Estrella: Dessert
L. K: salad
M. A: Chicken
M. S: I'm not sure
P. H: Ajiaco (Colombian Potato and Chicken Soup)
R. S: pizza
S. G: Salad or Crudites
S. M: Dessert
T. L: Mac n cheese
A. S: ?
C. M: ?
D. K: ?
D. K: ?
J. M: ?
J. F: ?
J. F: ?
M. S: ?
N. N: ?
R. T: ?