Practical Philosophy of Butler

07/10/2026

Head another surgery this week. Will be a few more weeks before we meet again. Thanks for your patience!

05/28/2026

“Live, Live, Live. Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.”
-Auntie Mame

05/26/2026

No meeting this week due to surgery. 💜

05/20/2026

“We are all just walking each other home.” — Ram Dass

05/18/2026

This week's topic is Compromise.
Thursday, 6pm, at Panera

"A few jump-off points for the topic of COMPROMISE:
1. ⁠What defines something as a compromise?
2. ⁠What is the cause of needing to make compromises in relationships and interpersonal situations?
3. ⁠Is compromise a virtue, a necessity, or a weakness
4. ⁠What is a hill you would die on (Something you believe so strongly you won’t compromise)
5. ⁠What needs to be taken into account with compromise? Can be in relationships, wars, or anything really
6. ⁠How do we distinguish between healthy compromise and betrayal of one’s values or self?
7. ⁠Can constant compromise lead to resentment, or is it essential for maintaining harmony?
8. ⁠What is a time you made a compromise that you wish you held your ground? Why
9. ⁠What is a time you held your ground but probably should have compromised? What was the outcome?
10. ⁠Where does compromise fit in terms of conquering other nations?
11. ⁠Is it possible to end blood feuds or is compromise impossible?"

05/12/2026

"The quality of your mind determines the quality of your life. "
- Sam Harris

05/11/2026

This Week’s Topic: Identity
🗓 Thursday, 5/14 at 6 PM — Panera (Butler Commons)
Here are some jump-off points to think about ahead of time.
No pressure to answer everything—just come with whatever stands out to you.

“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” — Carl Jung

What is identity? Is it shaped more by internal experience, external influence, or some combination of both?

What’s the difference, if any, between identity and ego?

Is identity something stable, or is it constantly changing?

In what ways can identity become limiting or restrictive?

In what ways can identity provide meaning, direction, or strength?

Are there downsides to strongly identifying with certain roles, beliefs, or labels?

How do our identities shape our habits, beliefs, and interpretations of the world around us?

Does identity emerge from society and environment, or is there an authentic core self beneath those influences?

Can people unconsciously build identities around negative ideas about themselves (e.g. “unlucky,” “broken,” “the responsible one”)? If so, how might that influence behavior and perception?

If you lost every label attached to you—career, politics, relationships, achievements—what would still remain?

Speak, listen, question—or just sit and take it in. All are welcome.

05/07/2026

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

— Viktor Frankl

05/05/2026

“You are not obligated to win. You are obligated to keep trying. To the best you can do every day.”

— Jason Mraz

05/04/2026