The desire to philosophize, deeply rooted in the Varois
While one would rather lounge on the beach or relax by the pool, sitting on the steps of the esplanade at 8 PM...
Yet, this challenge has once again been won by Philippe Granarolo. Revived in 2023 after a few years of interruption, the summer agoras, offered by the Municipalité and by the 'Les Agoras 83' association, confirmed that they meet a desire to philosophize, deeply rooted in the population. Organized around the theme of the 'coaching of philosophers', these evenings aim to demonstrate the relevance of major philosophies, this year Stoic philosophy, that of Descartes and that of Nietzsche, and their ability to help us live better.
FREEDOM AND FATALISM Thus, on July 8 during the first meeting co-hosted by the Marseillaise philosopher Valérie Dufayet. Well-known in the Toulon area, she interviewed, during the literary evenings offered from 2015 to 2018 by the Municipalité in partnership with the 'Parlez-moi d'un livre' association, Paul Amar, Yasmina Khadra, Claude Halmos, Yoyo Maeght and many others. Putting her dynamism and skills at the service of the participants by interviewing Philippe Granarolo, she engaged the audience, with the question of freedom and fatalism taking a major place in the discussions.
For the second evening dedicated to René Descartes, on July 15, the Gardéenne Valérie Paillard took over from Valérie Dufayet. Different presentation, different style. With humor, she took pleasure in challenging Philippe Granarolo.
Their duo, as in July 2023, worked wonderfully. The philosopher even managed to mask his hostility to many dimensions of Descartes' philosophy to focus on the positive aspects of this thought, which is of real utility today.
RECORD ATTENDANCE The highly anticipated third and final meeting, on July 22, was centered around Nietzsche. Everyone knows that Philippe Granarolo is one of the leading specialists on this philosopher, to whom he has dedicated nine books. A short bibliography of his Nietzschean publications was distributed to the public before the evening.
A record audience was gathered, which was no surprise! Yet, the speaker regretted having to end the debate even though night had fallen and no one thought of leaving.
Winter is coming soon, but we will be able to continue satisfying our intellectual curiosity with the conferences of the Université du Temps Libre La Garde-Le Pradet. 'Agitating one's neurons' is the motto of this UTL, of which Philippe Granarolo is the honorary president. The conferences take place alternately at the auditorium of the Médiathèque de La Garde and at the Espace des Arts du Pradet.
A report on the presentation session on Tuesday, September 10, was published in our columns.
• PLEASE NOTE... Those who could not attend these evenings can find them in full through the videos posted online on Philippe Granarolo's YouTube channel at the following address: 'youtube.com/@pgranarolo'.
Photo PRESSE AGENCE.