The next Philosophy and a Pint is next Wednesday - 8th of October 7:30 pm at The Bay Horse Inn in Totnes
The subject : Intellectual Honesty and the Power of Being Wrong
We will start with a short talk on why intellectual honesty matters — how practising self-scrutiny, recognising our biases, and admitting when we’re wrong leads to clearer thinking, better conversations, and healthier communities. We’ll explore what it means to think with integrity, how to avoid the traps of ego and misinformation, and why humility is essential for truth.
The idea of intellectual honesty can be traced back to the Socratic tradition, where questioning assumptions and admitting ignorance were seen as vital to the search for truth. Socrates’ willingness to say “I know that I know nothing” remains one of the clearest early examples of valuing truth over ego. Later thinkers such as Augustine and Aquinas connected honesty of thought to humility before truth, while the scientific revolution brought a sharper focus on methods that challenged bias, authority, and self-deception. Figures like Francis Bacon and Galileo emphasised the need for rigorous testing of ideas, and Descartes called for systematic doubt to guard against falsehoods.
The phrase “intellectual honesty” itself began to appear more frequently in the 19th century. John Stuart Mill highlighted the responsibility to examine one’s own opinions, and William Clifford’s 1877 essay The Ethics of Belief argued that it is wrong to believe anything on insufficient evidence. This ethical dimension — that truth-seeking is not just useful but a moral duty — has carried through to the 20th century in the work of Bertrand Russell, Karl Popper, and others who saw honesty about evidence, bias, and limits as central to both philosophy and science. Today, intellectual honesty is recognised as a cornerstone of critical thinking, a discipline that connects classical philosophy, Enlightenment science, and modern psychology in the shared effort to overcome fallacy, bias, and motivated reasoning.
Bring your thoughts, questions, and curiosity—and let’s explore this together over a pint.
This event is part of the monthly Totnes: Let’s Be Rational series, featuring alternating sessions of 'Philosophy and a Pint' and 'Skeptics in the Pub'
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Philosophy and a Pint at The Bay Horse Inn, Totnes - bring an open mind and a friend, if either are available :-)
This meet up will start with a short philosophical talk to spark discussion. If you would like to suggest/request the theme of one of these gatherings, or if you are interested in presenting a talk at one of these in the future, let us know - you don't need to have a philosophy degree and some supportive facilitation is available.
'Philosophy and a Pint' : An informal, free to attend, friendly social group for anyone interested in exploring philosophy, great thinkers, and different schools of thought over a drink. We'll chat about how philosophical ideas relate to real life in a relaxed setting. With a different theme, philosophy, philosopher or school of thought every month. Each session can be shaped by the group - members can suggest topics and take turns leading discussions. No background in philosophy needed, just curiosity and an open mind.
Also check out other Meetups in Totnes.
