Good and evil—are they really what we take them to be? Where do our values come from, and do they have a lasting foundation? What happens to a person when “God dies” and long-held certainties lose their power? Friedrich Nietzsche poses these questions with uncompromising courage, forcing us to look at ourselves and the world from a new, often uncomfortable perspective.
A series of philosophical meetings at the Palma Foundation is dedicated to precisely these fundamental questions concerning humanity and the world. The starting point is philosophical texts—essays, articles, and excerpts from classical and contemporary works—which serve as the basis for shared reflection, discussion, and interpretation.
The sessions are open to all and serve as an introduction—they are an invitation to think together, read carefully, and exchange insights, regardless of prior experience. They take the form of a moderated, open discussion centered on a text shared in advance, during which participants jointly analyze, interpret, and compare different ways of understanding the topics under discussion.
The spring edition focuses on the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche—one of the most important thinkers of the modern era. The sessions will be devoted to an analysis of three essays from the volume *On the Genealogy of Morals*, in which Nietzsche examines the origins of our concepts of good and evil and the transformation of morality in Western culture. His ideas lead to reflections on humanity’s place in the world and the challenges of modernity, while also presenting us with a demanding task: to treat our own lives as a project—“to become who we are”—and to seek meaning in everyday life.
During our meetings, we will read and discuss selected passages, reflecting on what the history of these ideas tells us about ourselves today.
Who Killed the God of the West? Friedrich Nietzsche’s *On the Genealogy of Morals*
April 28, 7:00
p.m. First Lecture: “Good and Evil,” “Good and Bad” May
14, 7:00
p.m. Second Lecture: “Guilt,” “An Unclean Conscience”
June 25, 7:00
p.m. Third Lecture: “What Do Ascetic Ideals Mean?”
We encourage you to read the text before the meeting.
Upon arriving at the philosophy meeting, those who have purchased a ticket will receive a refund in the form of a voucher for physical products at the Palmy store. The voucher cannot be used to purchase tickets.
Moderator: Michał
Sternik, a graduate of philosophy from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and the University of Warsaw. Although he does not work professionally in philosophy, he has remained passionate about it for many years. He believes that one becomes a philosopher—through thinking, conversation, and mindfulness—and that engaging with philosophy can help one lead a more conscious and meaningful life.
Organizer: Palma Foundation
The Palma Foundation’s projects on Jaśkowa Dolina Street are funded by the City of Gdańsk as part of the “Community Cultural Spaces” program.
