All that is divine is good, wise and beautiful” (the Phaedrus) : this is the closest Plato comes to expressing the now oft-repeated saying “goodness, truth and beauty” attributed to the tradition. We will look at how Proclus handles this triplicity in his outstanding work The Theology of Plato in this online session.
These open sessions usually run twice to accommodate different time zones. We take particular topics or passages from Plato and other writers in the tradition – these are open to anyone interested, and they attract a wide range of participants. We usually begin with a short 5 or 10 minute introduction to the subject in hand and (when appropriate) a reading of a short text: this leaves a good hour or so to discuss the ideas which arise. Please download it here: Good, wise, beautiful
There are no fees payable. The Trust sees the Platonic tradition as a spiritual one: not only a guide for the outer life, but especially to be treasured for its assistance in the cultivation of the inner self – the soul – for, says Plato in the Timeaus, “we are not terrestrial plants, but blossoms of heaven.” We understand the tradition to be profound and cohesive, and one that repays the long-term effort required to truly embed oneself in it. Our approach is not exclusive – we value other traditions for their insights – nor is it dogmatic or an attempt to proselytise: however we are serious in our attempts to fathom the depths of the tradition, to identify its foundations, and where its teachings seem to run counter to accepted thinking to investigate them thoroughly rather than rejecting them prematurely. Thus our point of focus is on the teachings of the tradition and most especially our own inner response to them.
By joining our studies you are making no commitment beyond that of co-operating with us in our exploration of those truths which have inspired a company of men and women most luminous in their understanding, and unsparingly generous in their teaching.
You can register here: https://forms.gle/fNxWmg9id8a5GhNq5
The Americas-timed session, which will at 19:30 EDT, will be found here also soon. We will use the Jitsi Meet platform.
Please download the paper we will use above before the session.