Budapest Philosophy Group

“What I really lack is to be clear in my mind what I am to do, not what I am to know… The crucial thing is to find a truth which is truth for me, to find the idea for which I am willing to live and die.”
— Søren Kierkegaard

Session Outline
If you are new to existentialism or Kierkegaard, don’t worry—this discussion is for everyone, no previous knowledge required.

Let’s start with this thought:
Imagine standing at a moment in your life when the path forward is unclear, and the weight of choosing rests solely on your shoulders. There are no easy answers, no voices to tell you which way to turn—only the quiet, unsettling feeling of possibility and uncertainty. In that space, something stirs deep within: a tension between hope and fear, between the desire for certainty and the call to embrace the unknown. This feeling, often uneasy and charged, is not a weakness or a flaw. It is the raw edge of freedom—the space where the true self must arise and decide its course.

Join us and share moments when choice felt like a weight and uncertainty stirred a restless awareness of freedom and responsibility.
Our debate will be about freedom over fate, authenticity over conformity, and courage over comfort.

Let’s explore together how existentialism challenges us to create meaning from the rawness of existence and define who we truly are.

1. Introduction (15 minutes)
   We start with a short introduction of the guests
2. Group Discussion (1 hour and 45 min)

• Why does freedom to choose bring anxiety instead of just satisfaction
• What does Kierkegaard mean by “the dizziness of freedom”?
• Are there truly right or wrong decisions, or only choices we must live with?
• Is it better to chase pleasure (the aesthetic life) or dedicate oneself to duty and principle (the ethical life)?
• Can we ever escape regret about our choices?
• Does making tough choices make us more authentic, or just more uncertain?
• How can we move from indecision and “bad faith” to living authentically?

How to contribute: the Philosophy Club is collaborating with the venue (Kovasz) and epicurea.hu. You are totally free to drink whatever you want, but if interesting, we arranged for you significant discounts on alcohol-free wine glasses, only if you pre-order before the events:

• White wine (Disfrutand00) 1000 HUF: https://epicurea.hu/en/pre-buy-alcohol-free-glasses/verdejo-by-disfrutand00-alcohol-free-white-wine-glass
• Red wine (Tiptop) 1500 HUF: https://epicurea.hu/en/pre-buy-alcohol-free-glasses/tiptop-s-merlot-from-bordeaux-alcohol-free-red-wine-glass
• Red wine (Zeronimo Zweigelt) 2000 HUF: https://epicurea.hu/en/pre-buy-alcohol-free-glasses/zweigelt-by-zeronimo-alcohol-free-red-wine-glass

Thank you!