As students trickle into a Philosophy Club meeting, they are asked a simple question with a seemingly simple answer. Before they know it, their discussion has changed their perspectives on the world entirely.

The Philosophy Club participates in group discussions covering an array of topics. Students are challenged to expand their ways of thinking on these topics by engaging with other members.

Co-president and junior Charlotte Stokes said the club is not necessarily for people who are philosophy experts, but rather a place for anyone who is interested in joining the group discussion.

“The club is not an academic environment where you read books or write essays. It’s just a discussion. You don’t need to know anything about philosophy at all. It’s usually explained to you, and people learn a lot without realizing they’re learning,” Stokes said.

Stokes also said the club is an inviting environment for first-time members.

“Even if it’s their first time, members generally have something to say because discussions are around things that people find interesting. I love talking about philosophy and hearing different ideas that club members have, especially as our club expands,” Stokes said.

Along with discussions, the club has implemented having philosophers come to meetings and give talks. Junior and co-president Gabriel Nigrovic said guest speakers will become a more regular part of the club.

“We’ve had professors come from various colleges and give guest talks,” Nigrovic said. “So far, this has happened a couple of times and will continue to happen in the future.”

Nigrovic also said the club holds strong to its group dynamic.

“It’s very much a conversation, not a lecture, which leaves it open-ended and helps with discussion,” Nigrovic said.

Co-president and junior Charlie Perdue said the conversations are essentially limitless as the group delves deeper and deeper into different topics.

“There were ideas that were talked about by philosophers that devoted their entire lives to [them]. We’ve discussed concepts that can be easily debated because there is really no right answer,” Perdue said.

Stokes said club discussions are so engaging that they often branch out beyond the meetings.

“There was one time where I kept talking about it with my friends for hours afterwards. School had ended, and we just walked around and talked about it,” Stokes said. “People have quit their entire lives thinking about the things we discussed, and even though the club is over, people still think about it.”

According to Perdue, people who are curious to learn about life can take lots of interest in the club.

“I’d recommend it to people who are not satisfied with the way that life goes on and want to learn more about why things happen,” Perdue said.

Nigrovic said his favorite part of the club is that it explores things outside everyday conversations.

“It’s an environment where you can voice ideas and float ideas that we don’t get a chance to discuss otherwise,” Nigrovic said.

Perdue said although the club is a diverse group, students have found many commonalities and connections by participating in club meetings.

“It’s a bunch of people with different backgrounds all coming together. I get to learn a lot of interesting perspectives on the way to think,” Perdue said. “A bunch of people who are initially strangers come in and let down their beliefs on the way they think people should live. It’s a common ground, and everyone’s letting out what they really want to say.”