Sober Philosophy: The Decline of the Extended Family (Huyen presents)

About this event

Symptom-free (of potentially contagious disease) people with the capacity to listen considerately to diverse viewpoints are invited to attend after successfully RSVPing .

We begin the meeting at 7:30 pm sharp at the mezzanine above the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in the University District: 4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

TOPIC OVERVIEW: For most of human history, people have lived in close proximity to not just their immediate family, but also to their aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. Extended family traditionally provide(d) a close and intimate support and safety network. Of course, this is a double-edged sword, as kin networks can be coercive and homogenizing, especially if one's desires/needs don't align with the collective's.

The rise of modern, industrialized, more individual-oriented societies have steadily chipped away at the day-to-day relevance of extended family. Urbanization often meant that people had to leave their home villages/towns for jobs in cities far away. The geographic fragmentation of extended families is often cited as one motivation for the rise of state-organized social security systems... after all, who will take care of you in old age if your siblings, children, nieces and nephews are scattered in different regions and cities?

This has arguably led to the partial replacement of kin networks by modern bureaucratic systems. In a traditional setting, it may be seen as a given that you'd help your cousin anyway you can. But today, many would find it objectionable for a government official to give a job post to their relative.

What is the relevance of extended family today?

How much obligation to others does belonging entail?

Can chosen communities (e.g. friends, peers, etc.) provide the same lasting care, and would doing so require obligations we might find equally burdensome?

When we gain freedom from family expectations, what responsibilities, and what forms of belonging, are we willing to take on instead?

Directions for first-timers at the Graduate Hotel: From the front hotel entrance go to the right. Turn left around the corner to enter through the north valet entrance. If the valet questions you just say you're here for the philosophy group. Go straight to the main lobby and turn right behind the large bookshelves before the elevators. Enter the stairway on your left, go up one flight, and go through the first door you encounter to enter our meeting area.

2-MINUTE OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (2ORF):

• The topic presenter begins the discussion by taking up to two minutes explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.

• Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter has up to two minutes to describe their general thoughts on the topic.

• If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.

• After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.

• Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into TDRF>4 below.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT: We will use the format below.

• We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.

• Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.

• If one is not ready to direct they simply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.

• Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.

• The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.

• The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interruptions or redirections.

• When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.

• After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

TOPIC SELECTION: For the last 10 minutes of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.

From Seattle Philosophy Club