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PHL (P) The Age of Choice (Tues. Feb, 25 7 pm) 022525

About this event

Rosenfeld

The Age of Choice: 
A History of Freedom in Modern Life

A discussion with author Sophia Rosenfled

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 7 pm

Parkway Central Library, 1901 Vine Street

Philadelphia

$7 - WC member & non-member

Choice touches virtually every aspect of our lives, from what to buy and where to live to whom to love, what profession to practice, and even what to believe. But the option to choose in such matters was not something we always possessed or even aspired to. At the same time, we have been warned by everybody from marketing gurus to psychologists about the negative consequences stemming from our current obsession with choice. It turns out that not only are we not very good at realizing our personal desires, we are also overwhelmed with too many possibilities and anxious about what best to select. There are social costs too. How did all this happen? The Age of Choice tells the long history of the invention of choice as the defining feature of modern freedom.

Taking readers from the seventeenth century to today, Sophia Rosenfeld describes how the early modern world witnessed the simultaneous rise of shopping as an activity and religious freedom as a matter of being able to pick one's convictions. Similarly, she traces the history of choice in romantic life, politics, and the ideals of human rights. Throughout, she pays particular attention to the lives of women, those often with the fewest choices, who have frequently been the drivers of this change. She concludes with an exploration of how reproductive rights have become a symbolic flashpoint in our contemporary struggles over the association of liberty with choice.

Drawing on a wealth of sources ranging from novels and restaurant menus to the latest scientific findings about choice in psychology and economics, The Age of Choice urges us to rethink the meaning of choice and its promise and limitations in modern life.

Prior to this talk, there will be an informal opportunity to have dinner together at Pizzeria Vetri, 1939 Callowhill Street (behind the Library) at 5 pm.  First come, first served, as they do not accept reservations.

Cancellations with refunds are accepted through 2/18/25.  Should you need to cancel by that date, you will be issued a credit to your WC account to be used for future purchases.

Date and Time

Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) (UTC-05:00)

Location

Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA  19103
USA

Event Contact(s)

Jean E Brubaker
Leader

Category

Chapter

Registration Info

Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
Registration cancellations will be accepted until Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Cancellation Policy:
If you are a member and cancel your registration before the specified deadline, you will receive a full refund as a credit to your account. You can use the credit to pay for another event or put it toward your annual dues payment. Non-members will receive a refund on their credit card, minus a $4 processing fee.

No refunds are available to members or non-members after the cancellation deadline.

Capacity

40 Total Slots
16 Available Slot(s)

Number of People Who Will Attend

Everyone
$7.00
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