The archetype of the public intellectual has retreated from our public discourse.  The romantic scene of intellectuals, or just educated citizens, locked in impassioned debate in a salon or tavern seems like an anachronism.  However, we are seeing a spike in the public’s interest in philosophy, online, in MeetUps, in cafes, and in fora all over the world.  How, where, and why is this happening?

General

philosopher.org

Books

Christopher Phillips, Socrates Cafe:  A Fresh Taste of Philosophy

Juanita Brown and David Isaacs, The World Cafe:  Shaping our Futures Through Conversations that Matter

Articles

“We Think, Therefore We Are”

“What Can You Really Know?” 

(Photo at http://www.brianmicklethwait.com/culture/archives/2003/12/coffee_in_histo.html)