Upcoming 2026 Global Philosophy Discussions 

Big Questions. No Easy Answers.

The BPIA Global Philosophy Discussion Group brings together curious minds to explore difficult questions underneath international affairs, politics, ethics, society, technology, and human behavior. These are guided conversations, not formal debates, and the goal is not to determine who is “right,” but to think more deeply, hear competing perspectives, and question our own assumptions. No philosophy background is required.

Session I: Is World Peace Actually Possible?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM ET
Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Provocation

For centuries, philosophers, political leaders, religious thinkers, and diplomats have imagined a world without war. Yet violence between groups has persisted across nearly every period of human history.

So what does that tell us?

Maybe war is a political failure that humanity can eventually overcome. Or maybe conflict is built into human nature, competition for power, identity, resources, and the international system itself.

And even if we could eliminate war, would that actually mean we had achieved peace?

Questions We’ll Explore

• Is lasting world peace realistically possible, or is conflict an unavoidable part of human society?
• What would “world peace” actually mean: no war, no violence, justice, equality, or something else?
• Can there be peace without justice?
• Is violence primarily caused by human nature, political systems, inequality, ideology, or competition for power?
• Do powerful states actually have an incentive to create a peaceful international order?
• Would lasting peace require stronger international institutions, shared global values, or even some form of world government?
• Can societies eliminate war without eliminating disagreement?

The Big Closing Question

If the only way to guarantee world peace were to create a global government powerful enough to prevent countries from going to war, would you support it?

Session II: Is Democracy Dying, or Simply Evolving?

Thursday, December 10, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM ET
Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Provocation

Democracy is often treated as both a political system and a moral ideal. Yet around the world, democratic institutions face declining trust, polarization, political violence, misinformation, technological disruption, and the rise of leaders willing to challenge traditional democratic norms.

But perhaps democracy is not dying at all.

Maybe citizens are questioning institutions that no longer represent them. Maybe democratic participation is changing. Maybe what looks like democratic decline from one perspective looks like democratic transformation from another.

This raises a more uncomfortable philosophical question: What exactly are we trying to preserve when we say we want to “save democracy”?

Questions We’ll Explore

• Is democracy actually in decline, or are democratic institutions simply changing?
• What makes a society genuinely democratic?
• Is voting enough?
• Can a democracy legitimately elect an authoritarian leader?
• What happens when the will of the majority conflicts with individual rights?
• Does democracy require citizens to share certain basic values?
• Can democracy survive extreme polarization and distrust?
• Should democratic institutions ever limit what citizens are allowed to choose in order to protect democracy itself?

The Big Closing Question

If citizens freely vote to dismantle democratic institutions, should a democracy respect that decision?

Discussion Purpose & Ground Rules

The Discussion Group is designed as a space where people can question, challenge, probe, and respectfully disagree. Consensus is not the goal. Intellectual curiosity is. BPIA’s published discussion norms emphasize challenging arguments rather than people, allowing others to finish speaking, respecting the facilitator and speaking order, making room for different perspectives, asking questions in good faith, and remaining open to having your own views challenged.

Participants are expected to:

• Challenge ideas and arguments, not individuals.
• Allow others to finish speaking without interruption.
• Respect the facilitator and established speaking order.
• Make space for different perspectives and lived experiences.
• Ask questions in good faith and remain open to having your own views challenged.
• No personal attacks, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or intentionally demeaning language.

Disagreement is welcome. Intellectual curiosity is expected. Respect is required.