There is a host of world-wide literary clubs, Conversation Cafes, Socrates Cafes, university and college libraries ~ and then there is The Neat Little Bookshop. In a used-book shop, there is a limitless array of topics that inspire spontaneous conversations.
Christopher Phillips, founder of the Scorates Cafes (it is worth a Google), hopes that if people participate in his cafes, they "will become more sociable."
In his book, Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy (2001), he states,"I had become increasingly disturbed by what I perceived as an extreme and pervasive self-absorption and intolerance among people..."
According to Phillips, the main goal of good conversation is to "inspire each person to inquire further to cultivate and discover his/her unique point of view, nothing more and certainly nothing less." Never should conversation become a "vehicle for advice-giving or for winning friends and influencing people. There is never any need to try to force any sort of agreement."
In a bookshop, we regard a coffee pot, a few stools and a table as essentials to good conversation!
Christopher Phillips, founder of the Scorates Cafes (it is worth a Google), hopes that if people participate in his cafes, they "will become more sociable."
In his book, Socrates Cafe: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy (2001), he states,"I had become increasingly disturbed by what I perceived as an extreme and pervasive self-absorption and intolerance among people..."
According to Phillips, the main goal of good conversation is to "inspire each person to inquire further to cultivate and discover his/her unique point of view, nothing more and certainly nothing less." Never should conversation become a "vehicle for advice-giving or for winning friends and influencing people. There is never any need to try to force any sort of agreement."
In a bookshop, we regard a coffee pot, a few stools and a table as essentials to good conversation!
