Philosophers' Cafe

FUTURE THOUGHT: PHILOSOPHY ON FILM

The word “Doxa” means a belief or opinion that is tested in open argument and debate. The DOXA Documentary Film Festival, in partnership with SFU Continuing Studies Philosophers’ Café, is proud to offer a second edition of the Philosophy on Film discussion series. This special series of Philosophers’ Cafés takes as its subject the highly volatile and unpredictable idea of the future. As we enter the Anthropocene era, a period characterized by the extent of human impact on global ecosystems, the urgent need to foresee events surfaces in different cultural forms. But what does the “future” really mean?

Special Event Partners
   

LOCATION: 2nd Floor Meeting Room at VIFF’s Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour Street)

Philosophers' Cafe Topic:
Futures Past

Sunday, May 5 | 7:00 PM

FREE DISCUSSION

Film Pairing
FUTURE MY LOVE
Maja Borg, UK/Sweden, 2012, 93 mins

Sunday May 5 | 5:00 PM | VIFF’s Vancity Theatre

To borrow a phrase from Buckminster Fuller, “I'm interested in the future because I'm going to spend the rest of my life there.” But what happened to the utopian visions of a brave new world, envisioned by science fiction writers, and futurists past?

Moderator
Randall Mackinnon, the SENIORSage for MackINNOVATION, has served in various positions for a diverse range of innovative local, national, and international service organizations since 1970. As a social entrepreneur, he recently initiated ADVOCARE and has moderated over 220 cafés in 14 venues in the past 10 years. Read more.

Philosophers' Cafe Topic: 
Technology Trumped

Monday May 6 | 7:00PM

FREE DISCUSSION

Film Pairing
THE MECHANICAL BRIDE
Allison de Fren, USA, 2012, 76 mins

Monday May 6 | 5:00 PM | VIFF’s Vancity Theatre

A great faith in technology has characterized visions of the future of humanity. But is this faith misplaced or our only hope for salvation?

Moderator
Amir Kamyabnejad is pursing a Master of Technology MBA at SFU. He is interested in philosophy, religion, history, and politics. Read more.

Philosophers' Cafe Topic:
Philosophy of the Future

Tuesday May 7 | 7:00 PM

FREE DISCUSSION

Film Pairing
THE CIRCLE
Bram Conjaerts, Belgium, 2013, 48 mins

Tueday May 7 | 5:15 PM | VIFF’s Vancity Theatre

Philosophers of the future are envisioning a world in which new ways of understanding and addressing the most complex, thorny and longstanding problems of humanity exist. But is human nature ready to evolve?

Moderator
Larry Green is an artist and psychotherapist whose interests include philosophy, sculpture, and theatre. Read more.