Although modern readers and commenters on Plato tend to ignore Plato’s many references to the journey of the soul from life to life, an objective reading of his dialogues should make us pause and ask: if Plato is serious about this, what are its implications? Is it, as some suggest, merely a cultural hangover from a more superstitious age, or does it align the Platonic tradition with other major world philosophies and religions?
We will look at the reasons why Plato and his tradition consider this doctrine to be rational, and read passages from the Republic, the Phaedrus, and the Timaeus which explore the outworking of it.
We use this paper as the basis of our discussion: Plato on reincarnation
These open sessions usually run twice on the same day to accommodate different time zones- see the links below to register. These sessions 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.
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 for the UK timed session via zoom. It will display the time in your time zone. This session is at 19:45 BST.
You can register here for the Americas-timed session, which starts at 19:30 EDT- you will be sent a link.