kibbitznest

a 501(c)(3) organization

Kibbitznest is a 501(c)3 organization. Kibbitznest, Inc is dedicated to the preservation of quality human interaction. Our ultimate objective is to promote a better understanding of the world and its people by coming together face-to-face to experience being human by teaching, by learning, by listening, by reading, by arguing, by discussing, and by inquiring. We encourage a balance between face to face and electronic communication.

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"Utopia: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" with University of Chicago's Katia Mitova

  • Kibbitznest 2212 North Clybourn Avenue Chicago, IL, 60614 United States (map)
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Kibbitznest Liberal Arts Discussions are a collaboration with The University of Chicago Graham School to host presentations and discussions of original research.

In his philosophic dialogue, The Republic, Plato builds a “city in speech” that is supposed to help us understand what justice is and what kind of social structure could ensure justice and happiness for society as a whole. However, modern readers of The Republic who believe in equality may view Plato’s “just city” as a stagnant, closed, totalitarian model. Did Plato really mean it? Or might this be a philosophical speculation revealing the dystopian future of social utopias? We will use The Republic as a starting point in our discussion of the relationship between ideal and reality in the pursuit of well-being for all in a democratic society. Participants in the discussion are invited to share ideas from their areas of expertise or personal experience.

Sponsor: Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney

KATIA MITOVA, who has been teaching in the Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults since 1998, holds an MA and PhD from the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago. Her doctoral research focused on the psychology of literary creativity. In her native city, Sofia, Bulgaria, she worked as an assistant professor of Slavic literatures, literary critic, the Editor of the national quarterly magazine for literature and political philosophy, Panorama, and daily correspondent for Radio Free Europe. She has published two books of poetry and is currently completing her first novel. Katia has translated (into Bulgarian) and edited about a dozen books of fiction, poetry, and philosophy. She taught philosophy and literature in the College at the University of Chicago and is the 2008 recipient of the Graham Schools Excellence in Teaching Award for the Basic Program.

FREE & OPEN to the public

kibbitznest is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and wifi-free zone dedicated to the preservation of quality face-to-face human communication.

Earlier Event: April 24
TenX9 Chicago Storytelling, "Assumptions"
Later Event: April 25
Joke Nest Comedy Open Mic Night