Plato emphasizes the Delphic exhortation “know thyself” in several of his dialogues and in the First Alcibiades, which was considered by ancient Platonists as the best dialogue to begin the study of the philosophy of Plato, the phrase plays an especially important part. There are many reasons why the watchword was considered to be essential for those setting out on the path of wisdom – not the least of them, because it helps us to avoid the illusion that we know more than we actually do. In the tradition this illusion was known as “the double ignorance” – that is to say our ignorance of our ignorance – and almost the first task that falls to Socrates in the dialogue is to show, with careful tact, that the young Alcibiades is suffering from this condition.
We will read a few pages from the dialogue and see why this is called by Socrates, a most dangerous predicament. We can discuss how important this is at the outset of the philosophic path, but also we can consider why the Delphic exhortation (which, it is said, was displayed to all who entered the oracular sanctuary of Apollo) might be a continuing watchword for those who press onward beyond the first steps of that path.
These evenings include short talks and/or readings from Platonic writings – but we hope they will be genuinely interactive, with all participants invited to contribute to our collaborative search for truth. No previous experience of formal philosophy is required.
Admission is free, but we do encourage those who are able to donate £5 in order to cover our costs, either as cash on the day or donating through this website
Most of these evenings are self-contained and every effort is made to make them accessible to the newcomer, while allowing the great profundity of the Platonic tradition to step forward and speak to us at whatever level our present understanding sits. Some of these sessions are coupled together, in order to give us the space to examine more fully particular texts and themes, but even here we will ensure that if those attending have missed the first of the two sessions a recap of what has gone before will help all participants to pick up the main threads of the theme.
We will be drawing from the following paper, please download the PDF here: Know Thyself – Platos first exhortation
The Trust has run similar activities for some 18 years, and in our experience they allow the most profound questions concerning human life, the nature of reality, and our interactions, to be explored at once both seriously and with good cheer. Our aim is to provide a forum for honest and straight-forward enquiry, but which is unafraid to explore inward-moving paths too often neglected by modern schools of thought.
Click on the London tag under Event type to be taken to all upcoming activities in London.