Philosphy in Pubs expanding minds at new locations

Jul 24 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S unique and ever-expanding group, Philosophy in Pubs, is celebrating branching out to more new venues – and helping set up the concept elsewhere.

The organisation, which now holds ten weekly or monthly meetings at different destinations around Merseyside, now incorporates a regular get-together at the Bluecoat.

PIP was set up seven years ago at what is now The Brewery, on Berry Street, by friends Paul Doran, Rob Lewis and Michael Naidoo.

“The idea was just to create spaces for people to get together and talk about things a bit more meaningfully,” Mr Doran says.

“We had a vision to create a culture of critical thinking.

“After a while, it started to grow.”

Now, there are ten groups in the city centre, two in Wirral, and they are helping to set up similar projects in Manchester and Brighton.

“Everyone and anyone” turns up to take part, according to the group. There is a specialist women’s group that meets at Dr Duncan’s pub.

“It was important we were community based, it’s about bringing in experience, as well as academic knowledge, and that makes it richer,” Mr Doran continues.

Mr Doran became obsessed with the subject later in life, returning to university as a mature student of 45 to study in depth.

PIP will be hosting their next free discussion at the Bluecoat on Sunday, July 27, when they will be pondering Where is Liverpool Culture, between 1pm and 3pm in the Hub.

For more information, visit www.philosophyinpubs.org.uk

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk