UOW Philosophy Forum

WELCOME BACK! Philosophy forum is excited to announce our first week back is a discussion group to talk about how to disagree and why we do philosophy! There is a venue change and we will now be meeting in building 19 room 1084. For those who are interesting in being involved, no prior knowledge or background in philosophy is needed, just be ready to think deeply.

COME AND FIND US AT UOW O-FEST
Come answer our questions and talk to the team about what the philosophy club has to offer!!!! 🦉🧠🧐

Semester 2 is done! After an amazing Autumn session, this second semester was similarly phenomenal – unforgettable events were held, new members arrived, and we even won UniClubs' prestigious Impact Award.

Although it's hard to capture the fantastic semester we've had in just a few moments, these photographs certainly help:

1. At Open Day, our first outing of the session, we were lucky to get to talk to so many different students with all different experiences and interests on the question 'Is AI morally good for society?'

2. We were able to have even more scintillating philosophical discussions at O-Day, where we asked: ‘is it permissible to enjoy unethical art?’ Friendships were made, members were inducted, biscuits were enjoyed – what a day!

3 + 4. Then, we embraced that classic combination of pizza and a film for our featured event this semester, the movie night! A remarkable screening of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and a thoughtful but buzzing discussion group left everyone entranced.

5. The highlight of this semester, though, had to be our receipt of UOW Pulse UniClubs’ Impact Award for 2025. This award honoured the hard work the Philosophy Forum team put in to regularly host welcoming, vibrant philosophy events, and it's a true pleasure to be recognised with such an achievement.

6. This semester marked the introduction of our Philosophy Forum logo stickers! They've come in just in time for the 2026 sessions, so if you want to represent the coolest philosophy club on campus, come along to an event and pick one up!

Thank you so much to everyone who attended a Philosophy Forum event in Spring Session, and all the wonderful execs who kept us strong throughout this semester. Stay tuned, because there's a whole new exec team for you to meet next year – and we've got so much more to come.

Week 12 - Reading: Spinoza: Practical Philosophy
Location: Student Success Hub (19.G015)

Gilles Deleuze's 'Spinoza: Practical Philosophy' has been chosen for Week 12's text! Stick around after our EGM (from 2:30PM) in the Student Success Hub to participate in a close reading and discussion of this text on October 22nd.

The text is available through the PHIL Forum Newsletter. Membership and newsletter are available via Rubric (link in bio) - DM us if you have any issues.

We'll be reading through the book together, so feel free to either read it beforehand or turn up without having read any of the text! No prior background in philosophy is necessary – simply a willingness to discuss the ideas of the text :)

What an honour to receive the Impact Award at last Friday's Pulse Gala!

The UOW Philosophy Forum was recognised for our commitment to helping people of all backgrounds and experiences to build their familiarity with philosophy and develop valuable critical thinking skills. In addition to receiving the Impact Award, we were a finalist for Club of the Year, and our President was a finalist for Club Person of the Year!

This year has been our most active ever in the history of the Philosophy Forum, with over 30 events hosted and more than 250 members now registered with us.

Our most successful event, the Trivia Night in Semester 1, drew over 50 participants and was a testament to the Forum's ability to bring together a warm and engaged community in meaningful conversation.

Thank you to the club execs, members, and other event attendees for enabling the Philosophy Forum to have an impact in the university community and achieve such great success this year.

We look forward to reaching even greater heights next year!

Week 13 - Discussion: The Philosophy of Identity.
Location: Student Success Hub (Room 19.G015)

The topic of our final discussion group for the semester is the philosophy of identity!

For those interested in being involved, no prior background in or knowledge of philosophy is necessary; all you need is a willingness to think deeply and confront your own beliefs.

Check back later for sample questions.

We can't wait to see you there! DM or email us if you have any queries 📖

Week 11 - Discussion: The Philosophy of Utopia.
Location: Student Success Hub (Room 19.G015)

The topic of our discussion group on October 15th is the philosophy of utopia!

For those interested in being involved, no prior background in or knowledge of philosophy is necessary; all you need is a willingness to think deeply and confront your own beliefs.

Questions may include:
- What does utopia mean?
- What is utopian thinking as opposed to non–utopian thinking?
- Should we strive to think along utopian lines?
- Can utopia be used as a good force for change?
- Can there be a universal conception of utopia?
- Is utopia an inherently static concept?
- Does utopia prescribe a homogenous society?
- Is utopia necessarily in conflict with human nature?
- Must utopia be future-oriented?
- Can our conceptions of utopia transcend the conditions of our society?
- How does nature relate to utopia?
- Does dystopia have a role in developing utopian thinking? How do they relate?

Can't wait to see you there! DM or email us if you have any queries 🏙

Location: Student Success Hub (19.G015)

Due to a lack of nominations at our AGM, we’ve called an EGM to find next year's execs. Could that be you?

Our extraordinary general meeting will be held on October 22nd - Wednesday in Week 12!

Nominate yourself for an Executive Team position, or come along to be part of the conversation on how we can take the Philosophy Forum to even greater heights.

We will vote and elect the following Executive Team positions:

- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer

If all of those roles are filled, we will also consider applications for:
- Events Manager
- Social Media Officer
- Graphics Designer
- Communications Officer

Anyone can nominate for any position! No experience is necessary. Alternatively, spread the word to anyone you know who might want to be a part of the Philosophy Forum. Help us reach as many people as possible!

Priority will be given to first- and second-year students, but everyone is invited to apply.

If you are unable to make it in person, join via Zoom at the link in bio, or use the details below.

Meeting ID: 289 425 2323
Passcode: 277weS

If you are unable to make the time and would like to nominate yourself or provide feedback, please email us at [email protected]. We can accommodate absent nominations!

Please DM or email us if you have any questions. You can also check out the constitution and agenda at the link in our bio for more information about each position.

We look forward to seeing you there!

ATTENTION: WE NEED EXECS FOR 2026

Are you interested in being a Philosophy Forum exec for 2026? There's a position for you!

The following roles are currently open:

- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Graphics Designer
- Social Media Officer
- Events Manager

No prior experience in any of these positions is needed – if you're interested, we want to hear from you! Otherwise, spread the word to anyone you know who might want to be a part of the Philosophy Forum – help us reach as many people as possible!

Priority will be given to first- and second-year students, but everyone is invited to apply. Just send us a DM or email, and we'd love to have a chat.

2026 execs will be chosen at the EGM in Week 12.

Week 8 - Reading: An Introduction to the Three Volumes of Karl Marx's Capital.
Location: Student Success Hub (19.G015)

Michael Heinrich's 'An Introduction to the Three Volumes of Karl Marx's Capital' has been chosen for Week 8's text! Stick around after our AGM (from 2:30PM) in the Student Success Hub to participate in a close reading and discussion of this text on September 17th.

The text is available through the PHIL Forum Newsletter. Membership and newsletter are available via Rubric (link in bio) - DM us if you have any issues.

We'll be reading through the book together, so feel free to either read it beforehand or turn up without having read any of the text! No prior background in philosophy is necessary – simply a willingness to discuss the ideas of the text :)

*TIME UPDATE: 2:30 PM*

Location: Student Success Hub (19.G015)

Our annual general meeting is coming up! This will be held on September 17th - Wednesday in Week 8!

Nominate yourself for an Executive Team position, or come along to be part of the conversation on how we can take the Philosophy Forum to even greater heights.

We will vote and elect the following Executive Team positions:

- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Events Manager
- Social Media Officer
- Graphics Designer
- Communications Officer

Anyone can nominate for any position! No experience is necessary.

If you are unable to make it in person, join via Zoom at the link in bio, or use the details below.

Meeting ID: 861 5292 7881
Passcode: 277weS

If you are unable to make the time and would like to nominate yourself or provide feedback, please email us at [email protected]. We can accommodate absent nominations!

Please DM or email us if you have any questions. You can also check out the constitution and agenda at the link in our bio for more information about each position.

After the AGM, stick around for our Reading Group on Heinrich's 'Introduction to the Three Volumes of Karl Marx's Capital'.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Week 6 - Reading: An Introduction to Metaphysics.
Location: Student Success Hub (19.G015)

Henri Bergson's 'An Introduction to Metaphysics' has been chosen for Week 6's text! Come by the Student Success Hub at 2:30pm on September 3rd for a close reading and discussion of the text.

The text is available through the PHIL Forum Newsletter. Membership and newsletter are available via Rubric (link in bio) - DM us if you have any issues.

We'll be reading through the book together, so feel free to either read it beforehand or turn up without having read any of the text! No prior background in philosophy is necessary – simply a willingness to discuss the ideas of the text :)