philosopher's hat club
A Thinking Cap
30€Every yearClub Membership30 day free trial- Free access to monthly meetings
- Priority notifications
- Philosopher's Hat Classics Chat
- 10% of books from the recommended reading list
The Patron's Beret
50€Every yearPatrons' Membership30 day free trial- Free access to monthly meetings
- Priority notifications
- 10% of books from the recommended reading list
- 10% of the annual event
- Philosopher's Hat Classics Chat
Good Karma Sombrero
150€Every yearSponsor's Membership- All Club Membership Benefits
- All Patron's Membership Benefits
- Very Good Wishes and Satisfaction
- You're sponsoring one Philosopher's Hat meeting
Connecting through philosophy
Ever find yourself in a world that seems black and white? The Philosopher's Hat Club is one of Ireland's most welcoming philosophy communities — a monthly space where we question assumptions, explore ideas, and discover the many shades between certainty and doubt. Philosophy, at its core, is about questioning the world we live in, and this club offers a unique space for open enquiry with fellow curious minds across Ireland and beyond.
In a time where social media often paints issues in stark contrasts, our philosophy events offer a refreshing opportunity to slow down and think more deeply. While our topics are serious, our meetings are light-hearted and fun.
No philosophy background required — just a willingness to engage, and ideally a hat.
About the Club
Once a month, the Philosopher's Hat Club brings together curious minds from across Ireland and beyond for a meaningful, facilitated conversation about the world we live in. Meetings run on Zoom, last approximately 90 minutes, and welcome all participants in an open, respectful discussion — no lecturing, no debates, just thinking together.
The Club is a joint venture between Creative Together and Tertulia, a Bookshop Like No Other, based in Westport, Co. Mayo. It is hosted by Lukasz Krzywon and Brid Conroy, who share a deep passion for philosophy and for making ideas accessible to everyone.
Lukasz is a philosopher, author, and educator who has spent years bringing philosophical enquiry into Irish classrooms and communities. He has trained with leading facilitators in Ireland and the UK and founded Creative Together in Cong, Co. Mayo.
Brid brings a background in philosophy to her work at Tertulia, where her mission is to positively shape the way people think — one conversation and one book at a time.
Since its first meeting in February 2020, the club has held over 60 virtual sessions, welcoming prominent guests and exploring a wide range of philosophical topics.
What began around a bookshop table in the west of Ireland has grown into a thriving community of thinkers from across the country and beyond.
Our club was featured in The Irish Times in the Unthinkable column by Joe Humphrey.
Regular monthly events
Each month, the Philosopher's Hat Club explores a different topic — chosen to be as relevant as possible to the Ireland and the world we live in today. Whether revisiting a thread from classical philosophy that still resonates, or examining a pressing question facing contemporary society, every philosophy event invites participants to slow down, think more deeply, and see familiar issues from new angles.
Each event comes with a recommended reading list, though reading in advance is never required — just a willingness to engage. Many sessions feature a special guest, bringing expert knowledge and fresh perspectives to the conversation. Events are held on Zoom; participants are expected to have a working camera and microphone. Don't forget a hat.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a philosophical background to attend?
Not at all — just your curiosity! We keep jargon at the door. If you can wonder, question, and listen, you're more than ready.
Do I need to say something?
Your input is always welcome, though never required. That said, don't be surprised if you get gently challenged — we ask everyone to support their views with an argument. That's where the fun begins.
Do I need to switch on my camera?
We'd love to see you. Online meetings already strip away so much of the experience of being together in a physical space, so we don't want to lose any more of what makes us human — your smile, your frown, your thinking face. Camera on is encouraged.
Code of Conduct
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We are all co-creating a safe space for thinking together on interesting topics. Participation is voluntary.
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Our meetings are not debates. We are not here to win in the discussion but to enjoy it.
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Our meetings are not opinion forums. Support your claims with arguments that can be challenged by anyone in the group.
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Respect all participants. Listen attentively. Speak respectfully.
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Try to be concise and to the point. Make space for others.
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No verbal or written (chat) abuse will be tolerated.
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If anyone breaks the rules, the facilitators hold the right to block the person or ask the person to leave the meeting.
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If you’re not happy about any aspect of the meeting please write to contact@creativetogether.ie with short feedback on what happened, so we can learn from it and make the events better.
About next event
#nature #animals #metaphysicalanimals
Join Dr Beth Mackintosh as she presents her work as UK lead for the global project Philosophy in the Wild: Notes from a Biscuit Tin, inspired by the philosopher Mary Midgley. Drawing on Midgley's concept of the "mixed community," the talk explores the profound significance of multi-species living and our relationships with the natural world. Dr Mackintosh will also invite participants to engage with creative, multi-species activities drawn from her workshops. What does it truly mean to live alongside other species — and how might philosophy change the way we see that relationship?
Philosopher's Hat Classics Reading and Chat
Members also have free access to the Philosopher's Hat Classics Chat — a dedicated WhatsApp group where we read classical philosophical texts slowly together, a few pages at a time. Past texts have included Plato's Symposium and Marcus Aurelius' Meditations.
WHAT DID THE PARTICIPANTS GET OUT OF OUR EVENTS?
"Positive experience of dialogue with thoughtful people. Affirmative energy."
"A lot of food for thought, a feeling of ease among people I do not know."
"A great discussion with wonderful hosts and great people. Learning from each other."
"Great to learn, discuss, and be part of something bigger."
"Social Philosophy - the chance to think about big ideas with others in a casual and fun way."
"This was awesome! Thanks to the hosts and everyone there for the excellent, thought-provoking discussion!"
"An opportunity to explore the big questions in company with others who don’t have the answers either."
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Our partner - Tertulia, Bookshop Like No Other in Westport
Tertulia is a Spanish word for a circle of people who meet regularly to discuss literature, art, what’s going on in the world or just to gossip!
We all want to feel part of something and we envisage Tertulia as a space to reach out to people, provide a forum for stretching our assumptions about the world, enjoy a coffee, a glass of wine, a conversation or lose yourself in a really great book.
The mission of Tertulia, Bookshop Like No Other is therefore to contribute to a positive change in the way the world thinks. The vision of Tertulia is to live in a world where every story matters, to live in a world that understands that (our) stories are interconnected. It is this understanding that can help make our world a more equal society.
Our bookshop stocks the books we ourselves would love to read and we do read many of them of course. We have coffee to sit and chat, explore the world in a place surrounded by books. We host authors and events where like-minded people can get together and at times over a glass of wine.
