These meetings are an invitation to think together, read carefully, and exchange insights. During each meeting, we examine a selected text, discuss it, debate it, and share our interpretations. In this way, we learn what philosophizing looks like in practice, moving between various areas of philosophy—from language and symbols to ethics, religion, and our relationship with authority.
We explore topics close to everyone’s heart: we analyze the language we use, examine the symbols that shape our spirituality and culture, and break down our relationships with the world and the mechanisms of power. We read texts by contemporary philosophers as well as explore ideas rooted in tradition. We engage in conversation to better understand the world and ourselves—and to learn how to ask questions that matter. The sessions are introductory and open to all—philosophy doesn’t have to be difficult or reserved for specialists. It can be a fascinating journey that changes the way we view reality.
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, ticket holders will receive a refund in the form of a voucher for physical items at the Palmy store (not valid for purchasing tickets).
Moderator: Michał Sternik
On International Women’s Day, we invite you to a discussion focused on reading excerpts from Judith Butler’s book *Gender Trouble*. Butler raises questions about the subject of feminism. Who is a woman? What are the characteristics that define a woman? Is the existing definition adequate and comprehensive? Butler attempts to convince us that redefining womanhood, the conscious construction of the subject of feminism, is the primary goal of feminist political practice—for is it possible to build just societies when the fundamental category is expressed through a system of repression that feminism seeks to combat?
Please note! Registration is required for this event! (Registration opens on March 2 at 10:00 a.m.)
We invite you to join us for a reading and discussion!
PROGRAM – FALL 2025
- Conversations About Humanity | September 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
To Build, to Live, to Think – Martin Heidegger
- Conversations About Language | October 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Excerpts from the *Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus* and “Remarks on Colors” — Ludwig Wittgenstein
- Conversations About (Religious) Symbols | November 25, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
What Do Religious Symbols Say About Us? – Mircea Eliade
- Conversations on Relations with the Government | December 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
To Supervise or to Punish? – Michel Foucault
More information about the events, philosophical texts to read for the meetings, and links to resources:
Moderator: Michał Sternik
He earned a degree in philosophy from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin and the University of Warsaw. Although he does not work in philosophy professionally, 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 Media partners: Trojmiasto.pl
The Palma Foundation’s projects on Jaśkowa Dolina Street are funded by the City of Gdańsk as part of the “Social Spaces of Culture” program.
