If you like this idea, call (or text) one or two similarly inclined friends (if you are lucky enough to have such friends) and tell them you are creating an Imperfect Circle. If you are not that lucky, whenever you chance upon an interesting conversation with someone, suggest that the conversation continue as an Imperfect Circle.

There is no limit to the size of an Imperfect Circle, but when the number of participants sitting in an open circle exceeds 8, it can become less enjoyable for some of the participants. So keep an eye out for splitting your Imperfect Circle in two if it ever becomes unwieldy.

There is also no preferred format, except that it seems wise to set a regular time and place for the conversations to continue — so that the conversations actually do continue.

The Imperfect Circle you organize can be a wide-open discussion group, or focused on a particular topic of interest to you. It can be a book club, with a focus on the substantive ideas in the books. Or it can be based solely on the personal experiences that have shaped your participants’ viewpoints on life.

It’s that simple.

Crowdsourcing Philosophical Insights

If your Imperfect Circle pierces through the shadows, or sheds a little daylight on the darkness, and you are inspired to share that insight, please post it on the Imperfect Circles Facebook page.

Useful generalizations, insightful observations and any unearthing of an unchanging pattern in mind or matter are all welcome.

But the primary purpose of your Imperfect Circle is for your own personal intellectual enjoyment and analytical skill enhancement.

What is the Agenda?

Imperfect Circles was not created to promote any particular idea.

Nor to sell you anything.

Nor to collect your email address.

And certainly not to create an organization.

It was created to encourage many more people to talk about the things that count in life, and especially to discuss those subjects, politely, which are often thought of as impolite to even mention: philosophy, psychology, politics, science and religion.

And it was designed to promote a clearer sense of community among those who are engaged in furthering, or even just admiring, the contents (rather than the discontents) of civilization.