SEX AND SOCIETY
OPEN CIRCLE EXPLORING SEX AND SOCIETY, JOIN BELOW
Sex and Society is a philosophically oriented personal sharing circle. It is a space to explore sex, gender, and the tension between the two through themes such as embodiment, sexuality, identity, performativity, social reality, and politics. It is an intimate space for sharing and reflecting on personal experiences and how they shape and are shaped by the world in which we are situated. As a sharing circle, we aim to open a space for free association and full speech where participants can develop new understanding of sex and gender in their own lives and the world around them, without reducing one to the other. In holding space for that tension, we hope to allow for the non-relation between the two to speak, and in doing so, strive to cultivate the emergence of larger themes gesturing towards a greater understanding of humanity, society, and freedom inclusive of their interdependence and immanent contradictions.
Circle Leader
Rebecca Rose Prentice
Rebecca Rose Prentice is a philosopher and silly goose living in Souther California. Her primary influences are existentialism, German Idealism, and Lacanian psychoanalytic theory. She has a ken interest in the intersections of metaphysics, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, and critical theory, and her thought explores questions of subjectivity, desire, and the structures that shape human experience. Whether through writing, research, or discussion, she seeks to challenge assumptions, hold open the space of not knowing, and provoke deeper reflection on the nature of human existence both abstractly and personally. She also enjoys cooking, occasionally writing poetry, and stealing her lover’s food.
THEORETICAL BACKBONE
This circle is oriented towards free association. However, and at the same time, Alenka Zupancic’s What Is Sex? represents the theoretical backbone for this circling activity. This means that various conceptual prompts inspired by What Is Sex? will be used to provoke reflections on the intersections between sexuality/libido and social contradictions, impossibilities, and non-relationality as the positive grounds for thinking about the construction of gender identity. Consequently, this circle seeks the in-between space of, on the one hand, the conservative collapse of gender construction into sex, and on the other hand, the progressive separation of gender construction from sex.
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Two ways to access: purchase the course as a stand-alone reading group via Rebecca Rose’s Patreon or Substack, or join The Portal as a monthly/yearly member
Philosophy Portal is an online education platform opening space for the next generation of great thought, and cultivation of future philosophical mind. Philosophy Portal members get access to The Portal live event spaces, book clubs, either free or discounted access to courses, permanent early bird pricing on future courses, and priority to apply for retreats. Couples are encouraged get a 2 for 1 deal.
Sexuality and Society Circle
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What Is Sex? Sex is both a deceptively simple and notoriously difficult concept to wrap one’s head around. As a word, sex has several different usages which all seem related and yet not always necessarily so. It can be used as a biological category of anatomical differentiation within a species based on differences in reproductive organs. It can also refer to an intimate encounter of passion and desire between people. It can also denote the coincidence of absence and surplus-enjoyment, lack/excess, that emerges beside, sticks to, and invades language. In what ways do these usages intersect and how do we relate to these intersections in our own lives?
Rebecca Rose Prentice
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At this moment where conflicting ideas around sex and gender are being put forward as central talking points in larger socio-political debates, it seems more important than ever to think critically and carefully about where we are as a society and what we think we know. If you’re interested in exploring questions about sex, sexuality, gender, and identity — and how they manifest in society through various tensions and conflicts — I invite you to join us in this collaborative thinking process. I hope you find in this space a place both for deep contemplation and personal exploration, connecting with others who share a curious fascination with the intricate complexities of human life.
Philosophy Portal Works
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Online
Wednesdays 7pm CEST (Central European Summer Time)
2025
May 7th / Sexuality and Society Circle 1
June 11th / Sexuality and Society Circle 2
July 9th / Sexuality and Society Circle 3
Start Today
Start Today
Two ways to access: purchase the course as a stand-alone reading group via Rebecca Rose’s Patreon or Substack, or join The Portal as a monthly/yearly member
Philosophy Portal is an online education platform opening space for the next generation of great thought, and cultivation of future philosophical mind. Philosophy Portal members get access to The Portal live event spaces, book clubs, either free or discounted access to courses, permanent early bird pricing on future courses, and priority to apply for retreats. Couples are encouraged get a 2 for 1 deal.