A Drink with The Idler | Agnes Callard on Socrates and the Philosophical Life
£7.50
Join “A Drink with the Idler” as we chat to Agnes Callard about Socrates and the philosophical life
Socrates, pioneer of the Socratic method, understood that to truly understand a problem you have to keep probing it. You need to keep asking questions, even if you feel they may have already been answered, and to dig deeper into beliefs and assumptions you may hold.
How should we manage love? How do we feel about our own deaths? What form should our politics take? What is truth? We continue to ask these questions today, and started asking them 2,500 years ago, in the time of Socrates. Philosophy professor Agnes Callard shows how the Socratic method remains relevant in our modern age, and how it can reveal who we really are.
The discussion between Agnes and Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson will be followed by a live Q&A when you will be given the chance to ask Agnes your own questions.
The event will be hosted by Idler Academy director Victoria Hull and the Idler Academy’s Head of Philosophy Dr Mark Vernon will present a short “thought for the week” to get our brains fizzing.
This is an online event. It should be like meeting up in the pub for an interesting conversation. We leave the meeting open at the end so you can carry on chatting.
Agnes Callard is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago. A public philosopher, specialising in ancient philosophy and ethics, she has written for The New York Times, New Yorker, Atlantic, Harper’s, Boston Review and the Point. A New Yorker profile in March 2023, which explored her philosophy of relationships through the stories of her own marriages, has been widely shared and commented upon. She runs ‘Night Owls’ sessions for students to ask big questions and listen to philosophy in action Philosophy by night (uchicago.edu)
Tom Hodgkinson is editor of the Idler and author of the best-selling manuals, How to Be Idle and How to Be Free. Other publications include a book on parenting, the Ukulele Handbook and a manual for creative entrepreneurs, Business for Bohemians.
Dr Mark Vernon is a psychotherapist, writer, broadcaster, and teacher. He presents several Idler Academy online courses. He has a PhD in philosophy, and degrees in theology and physics. His most recent books include The Idler Guide to Ancient Philosophy (Idler Books), Love: All that Matters (Hodder) and Jung: How to Believe (Guardian Shorts) – and he has books on friendship, belief and the good life too. Mark can often be heard on Radio 4’s Moral Maze. He began his professional life as a priest in the Church of England. For more, visit markvernon.com.
Victoria Hull is director of the Idler Academy, producing the Idler’s live and online events and courses.
Testimonials for A Drink with the Idler
Drinks with the Idler have kept me sane.
A fabulous Idler Drinks – thanks Tom, Victoria, Mark and idlers everywhere!
A simple heartfelt “thank you”: I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying Thursday evenings as part of the Idler community. Never has a subscription yielded such brain-nourishing pleasure.
Short yet so sweet, delightful and interesting… uplifting intelligent conversation. I feel so happy to have stumbled upon the Idler. I bow to you all☺️⭐️
A Drink with the Idler has turned out to be one of our lifelines! Such fun, wonderful commentary by you and the remarkable Mark, not to mention the delightful Victoria.
Event Details
Date: Thursday 13th March 2025
Time: 6pm-7pm
Location: Online via Zoom link
Cost: £7.50. Free for Idler members. SUBSCRIBE HERE (from £2.50/month)
How to join A Drink with the Idler: Non subscribers should register by clicking the BUY NOW button above. Subscribers can register by clicking the GET TICKETS button above.
Important
In order for the Idler to send you a link to this event you need to make sure you have signed up for the Idler newsletter here.
Idler Magazine and Idler Academy members will be sent a special registration link ahead of the event.
Latecomers may not be given access
