Hong Kong Study Center

What makes Homo Sapiens so special?
Date: 2/28/2019 7:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Philosophy
Presenter: Willis Wan
Synopsis: Is human consciousness or freewill merely the result of an "organic algorithm"? If the answer is yes, then it's possible that future development of AI technology and learning will hack homo sapiens and dominate the freewill. During this discusion we will take a look at some writings of Yuvai Noah Harari and the theories that he has proposed on the development of mankind.

Is the Current Model of Science Sustainable?
Date: 4/25/2019 7:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Natural Science
Presenter: Kale
Synopsis: During this topic, we will examine the current model of science across several fields. Using the Scientific Method, all things shall be eventually known regarding health, tech, biology, education, politics, economics, and so on. Is our current model of science able to continue the advancement of humankind? Are we up-to-date with the theories that advance the human condition, spirituality, and space exploration? If not, what are the flaws of modern scientific belief? As we explore the thoughts of Carl Sagan and philosophers like Descartes and Socrates, we may find some inconsistencies in our modern system of ideas. Let us look at what is possible in the realm of human knowledge.

Humanity and Disasters: How Should Man React?
Date: 7/25/2019 7:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Behavioral Science
Presenter: Willis Wan
Synopsis: Recently, more and more people are crossing borders to nearby countries in order to search for jobs, for security, and a better future. Some are leaving so they can escape from prolonged war in their own country. An example would be Syria. Syrians want to emigrate to Germany but not Saudi Arabia nor India nor Russia nor Japan. People may believe that the Syrians are immigrating to Germany because of the fact that it is wealthier than all the other countries. But this isn't the case! It is because Germany has a better record of welcoming and absorbing immigrants. Join us as we discuss humanity and how it reacts to disaster from a Masonic perspective.

How relevant is Religion?
Date: 8/29/2019 7:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Theology
Presenter: Willis Wan
Synopsis: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism may have been relevant in the Middle Age to help us cultivate our moral and ethical standard and to guide us to solve most problem humankind's face. In olden days whenever there is not enough rain for the crops, farmers turn to the priests to intercede with God. On top of this, those guru and priests also act as healer of sick and capable to make the blind see. In the advance of science that enlightened our ignorance, farmers create rain by teleological methods and people seek medical doctors to heal their illness. How the teaching of religions guide us in the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), bioengineering, global warming and cyberwarfare? Someday AI may rule the world. Could we teach a “Smart-Learning AI Robot” to acquire a moral standard and ethical standard to become a superior person as mentioned in Confucianism? And how does Freemasonry relate to these essential questions?

Can Astrology and Tarot Predict Our Future?
Date: 1/16/2020 7:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Art
Presenter: Cervantes
Synopsis: Many people wish to know about their future with divination while some people are skeptical about it. Astrology and Tarot are two common forms of divination that the western society relies on. Both of them categorize aspects of life with the classical four elements and lots of mystery symbols have been used in Tarot to illustrate the abstract idea. The most popular Tarot deck “Rider-Waite Tarot Deck” was actually illustrated under the instruction of a Mason. What kind of ideas are Astrology and Tarot trying to tell? What they can tell us about our futures and characteristics? How accurate can they be? What is the connection between them and Freemasonry? We are going to explore these question in the January MPS seminar.

How does language evolve?
Date: 4/23/2020 8:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Literature
Presenter: Kale
Synopsis: Throughout time, language plays a major role in our evolution, but how does language itself evolve? It is a basic tool that has advanced our species, but is there a hierarchy of language? All living beings use some form of language. Does a higher order of language convey messages more effectively? Looking at the stages below the average human language capability, we will find animals, plants, and microorganisms that all have ways to communicate. We call this a language. Among these languages we find some common characteristics which allow the networking between individuals and groups. In this discussion we will examine the evolution of language and its connection with ancient Freemasonry.

Does the system turn good people bad?
Date: 5/28/2020 8:00:00 PM
Topic of Study: Behavioral Science
Presenter: Cervantes Cheung
Synopsis: The Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971; a controversial program conducted in Stanford University. The volunteers had been divided into 2 groups, the Prisoners and the Guards. During this experiment Guards had been observed to create turbulence. Violent behaviors had arisen and the experiment ultimately had to be terminated. How did volunteers develop such extreme behavior in such little time? Was the problem in the system or with the people? What do we do when our roles contradict our values or challenge our rationality? During this discussion we will analyze the Stanford Prison Experiment to better understand how it relates to our lives, and moreover, Freemasonry.