Human Nature: Drink & Think

​Is human nature an innate biological reality? Or are identity and justice merely relative constructs shaped by power and institutions?

​The timeless philosophical dilemma between Foucault and Chomsky takes on new meaning when viewed through the lens of modern algorithmic control, pervasive data surveillance, and artificial intelligence.

Chomsky argued for the existence of an innate, biological human nature that serves as a foundation for universal moral concepts like justice and freedom, suggesting that political activism should aim to realize these inherent human needs.

In contrast, Foucault contended that "human nature" and "justice" are not objective truths but historical constructs created by power structures to exert social control.

While Chomsky sought to build a better society based on fixed ethical ideals, Foucault focused on dismantling the underlying systems of "power-knowledge," arguing that even our concepts of right and wrong are tools used by institutions to maintain dominance.

Are we defined by a universal biological essence or by the shifting historical forces that surround us? How is this question answered when contextualised through a contemporary lens?

​​Join a curated group of like-minded individuals at this Drink & Think session hosted at a bar in NYC, designed for those seeking an intellectual match through deep, meaningful discourse. (Pearls indicate the complexity of the topic, with 3 being the most complex)

RSVP includes extensive discussion notes and guidelines.