Julian Baggini

Philosophy Salon: Existentialism as Therapy?
2026-11-19 19:30 - 21:15 (Europe/London) | St Georges Bristol, Great George Street, Bristol, BS1 5RR, United Kingdom
Emmy van Deurzen is one of the world’s most respected existential therapists and founder of the Existential Movement, which aims to “make existential ideas available to the wider public in order to help people achieve greater clarity in their reflection on human existence and in solving their personal and emotional problems.”
Her new book, Beginning to Live, advocates a way of being which enables us all to find a more engaged way of living that is purposeful, deliberate and buoyant. But to what extent can philosophical ideas and arguments promote well-being or happiness? Isn’t philosophy for steely-eyed honesty, not therapy? Joining Emmy and host Julian Baggini is Jonathan Webber, Professor of Philosophy at Cardiff University and editor of The Penguin Book of Existentialist Philosophy. After a break for you to get a drink and gather your thoughts, the second half will be led by your questions and contributions.

Philosophical Times
2026-11-21 10:30 - 11:30
Join the writer, thinker and St George’s resident philosopher, Julian Baggini, as he explores some of the big ideas that connect with and emerge from this week’s news stories.

Philosophy Salon: Free Speech under Fire
2026-11-30 19:30 - 21:15
In his new book Setting Fire to Reason, philosopher Jeffrey Howard argues that free speech is among our most important moral rights, but—like all rights—it has limits, determined by moral duties we owe to each other. Howard will be unpicking the law, morality and limits of free speech with and host Julian Baggini and political theorist Judith Squires. In the second half, the conversation will be led by your questions. Come not only to hear about free speech, but to participate in it.
