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Discussion Club
The Discussion Club is a non-profit organization that meets once a month to listen to an invited speaker. Speakers speak on a wide variety of topics. The goal is to provide members of the St. Louis community with an opportunity to hear leading intellectuals and to engage in intellectual discussion and debate. Past speakers include Nobel Laureates, leading authors, public policy makers, political leaders, and scientists. Not all speakers are famous, of course, but all of our speakers are leaders in their fields and accomplished public speakers.
The Discussion Club is non-political. We welcome people from all viewpoints. We encourage spirited discussion and debate, but the goal is always for all parties to reach a deeper understanding of the issues. As David Hume pointed out long ago, “Truth springs from argument amongst friends."
Founder and long time president of the club, Henry F. (Harry) Langenberg, placed a strong emphasis on advancing our understanding of the importance of liberty in all facets of life. This is a tradition that The Discussion Club is proud to continue. Speakers therefore frequently discuss the moral, cultural, and institutional foundations of a free market society. We also have speakers discuss timely social, political and economic issues.
The Discussion Club meets at the Frontenac Hilton. Meetings begin with an informal mixer at 6:30 p.m. that provides an excellent opportunity to make new friends. At 7:00 p.m. dinner is served. Speakers normally speak from about 8:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., and then we open the floor for comments and questions. In addition to asking the speaker questions about his/her speech, audience members also comment on earlier questions or comments made by other audience members. After approximately 30 minutes the Q&A period ends and the meeting is officially over, but people often chat for long after that with the speaker and with each other.
Anyone can join The Discussion Club. Our existing members are very friendly and eager to welcome visitors and new members. Come prepared to be stimulated and to have a good time. Finally, a number of well-known business, political, and civic leaders frequently attend our meetings, so our meetings provide an excellent opportunity to network with highly respected members of the St. Louis community.