Santa Clara University Philosophy Department

04/15/2026

Have you wondered whether grades incentivize us, for example, to gamify our lives, thus sacrificing our rich values (e.g., the pursuit of knowledge) for simpler values (e.g., a high GPA)? Come discuss the value academic assignments and quantitative grading systems with Professor LaBarge at Cafe Socrates this Thursday at 6pm! 📝

02/23/2026

This week in Cafe Socrates, Professor Nelson has agreed to come talk about “Interactions with Federal Agents”. We’ll talk about the boundaries of such agents’ legitimate authority, and about the rights that ordinary citizens have in interacting with those authorities. If you’re concerned about what has been happening around the country and want to know more about your legal rights, then this is a great opportunity to learn.

It’ll be our usual time and place: Thursday, 6-8pm, 2nd floor Graham video room.

02/09/2026

This week, Dr. LaBarge is hosting a special Cafe Socrates! Dr. Akiba Lerner from Religious Studies is going to be helping to lead a discussion of Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism.

We’ll be meeting at an unusual day, time, and place: It will be Wednesday, 7:00-8:30, in Kenna 216. Dr. LaBarge will be particularly happy to get a good turnout for a discussion led by a guest, so please make a special effort to get the word out to your friends!

02/06/2026

This is an exciting opportunity to listen in on a live podcast recording, as SCU Philosophy’s Dr. Meilin Chinn & visiting Fagothey Professor, Dr. Justin Tiwald engage in an insightful and riveting conversation. Don’t miss it!

01/28/2026

Do people choose their religion on the basis of culture? Family practices? Good reasons that motivate belief? Come chat about these and other questions with Dr. LaBarge and crew this Thursday at Cafe Socrates!

01/07/2026

A very Happy New Year! To kick off the Winter ‘26 Quarter, Cafe Socrates will meet this Thursday to discuss the Just War Theory. Join Prof LaBarge and peers in dialogue over questions including: is war ever morally permissible or ethically required?

10/28/2025

05/06/2025

Come out for a light-hearted chat at Cafe Socrates this Thursday! In all seriousness, the conversations will be philosophically rich, and the company good. Moreover, Prof LaBarge will be at the helm. Memento mori! 💀🕯️

03/12/2025

Come on out for a not-so-lonely discussion of loneliness this Thursday at Cafe Socrates!

03/06/2025

Come out to Cafe Socrates this Thursday for some complimentary pizza and Spike Lee’s excellent (and now classic) film, Do the Right Thing.