Any educational organization needs strong principles in order for its spirit to unfold into a proper practice. We here at The Lawn Chair Philosophy Foundation champion creative expression coupled with the rigorous standards of scientific reflection in our philosophical pursuits, which means that we must sanction a space where natural language and thought processes may safely interact with the many philosophical methodologies we encounter in our studies. Here are the basic axioms upon which this living, breathing body of work(s) finds footing – through which it finds a downbeat, a clear beginning to its dance – in our celebration of the original thought generated by the multifarious perspectives we welcome as guests and the historical philosophical tradition with which we must contend. And below are the policies we’ve adopted in our attempts to honor our responsibility to our axioms, philosophy, and the wellbeing of those we serve.
1. Our purpose is that of cultivating a vibrant philosophical community based upon feminist principles of inclusion and equality. We welcome all who uphold these values to feast at our table, all who wish to invest their time and heart into this space no matter their background – and do not believe it a contradiction of these principles to exclude those who compromise the sanctity of our purpose with bullying.
2. Philosophical growth in self-understanding and rational empathy depends on equality, and equality depends on difference. Without an open, respectable stance towards thy neighbor, there is no opportunity for open, respectable dialogue over the worth of our common philosophical goods.
3. In order to properly house multifarious perspectives, we need structures unmatched by the likes of iron and steel: an aesthetic condition. Philosophy is done through blood, sweat, and logically ordered tears; yes, yes, of course. But without an original, spontaneous, playful exploration and expression of the greater questions with which we are communally engaged, there is no sense to make sense of in the first place, no real act of unification upon which to lay objective claims. Beauty is catharsis, guide, and product, All in One.
Copyright Lawn Chair Philosophy Foundation 2023