The library will close at 2pm on Sat, 9/23 for a private event.

BROWSE

two

PROGRAMS / READING GROUPS / Examined Life

We draw our inspiration from Socrates: I say again that the greatest good of man is daily to converse about virtue…and that the life that is unexamined is not worth living.

OVERVIEW

The Examined Life group resumes its consideration of important existential issues, including the search for purpose, meaning, and happiness. Readings include excerpts from the Western and Eastern canon.

MEETING & READING SCHEDULE

This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Athenæum’s Bound, from 5-7pm. Please note that November’s session meets on the fifth Wednesday, and December’s session meets on the third Thursday.

Wed, September 27
The Lottery in Babylon, Jorge Luis Borges

Wed, October 25
The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen

Wed, November 29 (note this is the fifth Wednesday)
Oedipus Rex, Sophocles

Thurs, December 21 (note this is the third Thursday)
Don Quixote, Cervantes

Wed, January 24
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Wed, February 28
Macbeth, William Shakespeare

Wed, March 27
Laozi, Tao Te Ching

Wed, April 24
The Third and Final Continent, Jhumpa Lahiri

Wed, May 22
Walden, Henry David Thoreau

GROUP FACILITATOR & CONTACT

The Examined Life Discussion Group is curated and led by Robert Allio, an Athenæum member with a continuing interest in the humanities.

This group has reached capacity. To be added to a waitlist, please email readinggroups@provath.org with EXAMINED LIFE as the subject line.

The Athenæum is deeply grateful to our wonderful volunteer leaders. Please note library reading groups are not classes or courses, but rather a way for individuals to discuss readings together, guided by both expert and amateur enthusiasts. Participants should expect discussion-based, not lecture-style meetings.