Philosofarian

Philosofarian Philosofarian brings philosophy into everyday life. We host conversations, free classes, and weekly gatherings in Astoria where anyone can think with others.

About Gad and Seth Tichenor
In 2012, we loaded up a car and took a road trip with one question: Do people actually want to talk about philosophy? We traveled through California, Oregon, Utah, and Montana, staying with strangers via Couchsurfing, eavesdropping in bars, and starting conversations in grocery store lines. Everywhere we went, people insisted they were thoughtful, but nobody else in their town was. So we'd go there next. Turns out thoughtful people are everywhere. They just didn't know how to take conversations deeper, and they thought they were alone. That road trip became Philosofarian. For 13 years, we've been proving that philosophy isn't just for people who can afford college—it's for everyone. We host free public talks at Fort George Brewery where questions get messier before offering answers. We facilitate Wednesday night discussions at Bridge and Tunnel Bottle Shop where the goal is understanding, not winning arguments. Philosophy has even shown up at a local dive bar's Labor Day celebration, tucked between band sets. We're building something unusual: intellectual infrastructure for a community. Spaces where a server and a retiree and a fisher can think together about questions that matter. Where people across deep differences can stay in relationship because they've practiced thinking together. We became an official nonprofit in 2024 after running Philosofarian out of our own pockets since 2012. Now we're growing—more programs, more reach, building something that will outlast us. Because here's what we learned on that road trip and keep learning every week: philosophy gives people access to their own thinking. It helps them understand why they think what they think. It connects people across differences by making assumptions visible and inviting curiosity. Everyone deserves that. Not as preparation for life, but as life itself.

Only 6 days away! Wow. This summer has been a whirlwind. Come see our new digs.
09/18/2026

Only 6 days away! Wow. This summer has been a whirlwind. Come see our new digs.

Join us in celebrating an exciting new chapter for Philosofarian 🎉

Philosofarian is already an established part of our community, and now they’re opening the doors to their first official space in Astoria: The Catalyst!

We’ll help kick off their Grand Opening Week with a ribbon cutting and reception on Thursday, September 24 at 4:30 at the new space at 264 W. Marine Dr. in Uniontown.

The celebration doesn’t stop there. Philosofarian has several more events planned throughout the following days, including open houses, conversations, and workshops.

Stop by Thursday to help us kick things off, check out their new home, and celebrate this milestone with them! ✂️🎀

Time to make a grand opening poster. Sneak peak!
09/04/2026

Time to make a grand opening poster. Sneak peak!

08/22/2026

Let’s go! Last major coat goes on today!

08/22/2026

Philosofarian Catalyst is coming together. Major painting wraps up today!

First coat down - 1 coat to go! Got bookshelves today too!
08/22/2026

First coat down - 1 coat to go! Got bookshelves today too!

07/15/2026

What exactly is meant by the term G.O.A.T?
Let's talk about it 5:30 at Scoundrels!

Send a message to learn more

Last call for presale tickets!At noon today, Pop Quiz: Plato & Pizza tickets go from $25 to $30 at the door.Join us toni...
06/06/2026

Last call for presale tickets!

At noon today, Pop Quiz: Plato & Pizza tickets go from $25 to $30 at the door.

Join us tonight for philosophy-themed trivia, pizza, drinks, prizes, costumes, and a room full of curious people willing to risk public embarrassment for a good cause.

Buy tickets, team tables, and add-ons for Pop Quiz: Plato & Pizza, Astoria's philosophy-themed trivia night fundraiser featuring pizza, prizes, and fun.

It’s Toga and Tickets time! Drop by Scoundrels philosophy club tonight at Bridge and Tunnel if you wanna claim your plac...
06/04/2026

It’s Toga and Tickets time! Drop by Scoundrels philosophy club tonight at Bridge and Tunnel if you wanna claim your place on Saturday.
OR
Have an awesome discussion with thoughtful people. Tonight we discuss, “How do we know how well someone knows us?”

We asked why do we hold onto zombie ideas?Asha's head almost exploded when I told her psychopathy is a zombie concept. ...
04/21/2026

We asked why do we hold onto zombie ideas?

Asha's head almost exploded when I told her psychopathy is a zombie concept. Jim said capitalism is a zombie idea, then found out the group really wanted to explore that

We covered bixonomania making it into Nature, cognito hazards, McChrystal's Robert E Lee portrait, Marx's exploitation and alienation, and Jane saying zombie ideas come from hope.

This is my zombie face.

Why hold onto disproven ideas? Scoundrels at Bridge and Tunnel, Astoria, OR explores capitalism as zombie idea, hope underground, not wanting to feel stupid. Bixonomania in Nature, McChrystal's Lee portrait, heuristics in a world we can't comprehend. Cognito hazards and wisdom in a post-truth, post-

Tonight in Astoria, Wit & Wisdom asks: What is Home?What turns a place into home? A dwelling, a memory, a relationship, ...
04/09/2026

Tonight in Astoria, Wit & Wisdom asks: What is Home?

What turns a place into home? A dwelling, a memory, a relationship, a longing, a way of being in the world?

Join us tonight at Fort George for a public philosophy talk on one of the most familiar and difficult words in human life.

Doors open at 6pm
Talk begins at 7pm
Fort George Brewery, Lovell Showroom

Address

Astoria, OR

Telephone

+15037419030

Website

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