Annual Conference

Conference: Philosophy as Transformation: Perspectives from the Platonic Tradition

Plato, and the philosophers who followed him, saw philosophy as a practice for cultivating wiser and kinder individuals and societies. Plato frames this as a transformation toward a divine ideal: never fully attained, but always pursued. This purpose recurs often in Plato’s central dialogues, including the Republic, Theaetetus, and Timaeus; it also motivates his most influential explorations of morality, dialectic, beauty, science, and a fair society.

This conference invites papers centred on this theme, to narrow and widen our understanding of the question “what is philosophy?” At a moment when the collective impact of human choices on society and nature is particularly vivid, we hope that the question draws participants from varied traditions, from academic and non-academic backgrounds, and from theoretical and practical perspectives, for instance from the arts and humanities, sciences and education.

Additional symposium of workshops up to four days, post-conference – subject to sufficient interest.

Following the conference (and separate from it, although linked by theme), we have provisionally booked the conference centre for a further four days (from Sunday evening (28th June) to Thursday afternoon (2nd July). If there is sufficient interest, we can further explore and expand the conference theme in mini-workshop formats, generating our own explorations, at a more relaxed pace, and in ways which will allow a greater exchange of perspectives, and deeper conversations.

These sessions would situate Plato’s conception of philosophy against a wider background, including the cultural practices he describes as transformative – such as ancient myth and drama, practicing visual arts, engaging in contemplative practices (such as light meditation or mindful exercises), and shared readings. The conference centre, Purley Chase, has plenty of space, both inside and out, being set in beautiful gardens and being held at the height of summer, we hope that this will enhance the experience of philosophy with colleagues in a welcoming, encouraging space for shared exploration.

This vision of philosophy as communal transformation has deep roots. As the sixth-century CE Platonist Simplicius puts it: “In the investigation of existent things, a great light of truth reveals itself in souls united in this way; and in the practice of virtue, when the advantages of each individual are pooled in common and exercised together, a single complete virtue easily comes about, shared by them all, and in each of them individually.” (Simplicius, On Epictetus Handbook, 88)

Call for Papers

As usual the Prometheus Trust is hoping that contributors will be drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, academic and non-academic, specialist and non-specialist, artistic, scientific, political, religious and philosophic.

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and should be sent to conference@prometheustrust.co.uk at the latest by Friday, 10 April 2026. Acceptance of these will be confirmed as quickly as possible.

Papers should be around 2500-3000 words or 20 minutes’ presentation (we usually allow a further 15-20 minutes for a question and answer session after each presentation).

There is a small travel bursary fund for delegates whose abstracts are accepted.  Please write to info@prometheustrust.co.uk for details.

If you are interested in participating in or offering a mini-workshop following the conference, please let us know as soon as possible (and no later than beginning of March), and if you might facilitate one of its mini-workshops send a brief outline of what you could offer. We expect the cost to be around £450, for full board and an ensuite room, but bursaries will be available.

Please see above to download the booking form.