Stand Up Philosophy

Mitchell Alexander (Monash University), Robert Sparrow (Monash University, Monash University), Suzy Killmister (Monash University), Oisín Deery (Monash University)

For the first time in Australia, Stand Up Philosophy is coming to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!

A mix of stand-up comedy, public lecture, roundtable discussion and good old fashioned Socratic dialogue (along with a healthy mix of craft beer and delicious meals), Stand Up Philosophy has the funniest thinkers asking the toughest questions, and making up the answers!

Each night of Stand Up Philosophy features comedians and philosophers grappling with a specific theme in whatever way they see fit. It could be anything from beat poetry to interpretive dance! (but it will almost certainly be them doing stand-up). After this, they'll tackle any and all of your ruminations and worries, and try their very best to not leave you with more questions than answers.

For too long, philosophy has been seen as an isolated pursuit for arseholes and work-shy dandys. And while that’s true, it’s also an invaluable, enriching, entertaining and useful discipline, which can help you answer all of life’s biggest questions, from how to spend your inheritance, to whether or not you should steal your workmates lunch (on charities; you should).

If you’ve ever felt listless and adrift, if you’ve ever wondered about your own existence, if you’ve ever wanted to drink beer and watch smart people joke about the futility of life, loss and love, Stand Up Philosophy is the night for you!