The ecological crisis facing us and the generations to come arises directly out of our present worldview – one that has emerged from the philosophies that previous generations consciously or unconsciously adopted. While practical solutions to the crisis need to be implemented with a degree of urgency, we cannot afford to ignore the underlying philosophical dimension to our problems: for whatever solutions we choose, if they are born out of the same worldview that landed us in our present troubles, they are likely to repeat, in a slightly different form, the same circumstances.
We will look at some of the important affirmations that Plato has his main speaker, Timaeus, make. We may, perhaps, catch a glimpse of an ancient worldview – a cosmos that is itself one living animal, beautiful and full of intelligence. We may even see why the cosmos is called “a blessed” god: and in so doing we may begin to imagine practical solutions less likely to fall back into the present impasse.
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.
Here is this session’s discussion document: Platos Cosmic Ecology – the Timaeus v2
These open sessions usually run twice on the same day to accommodate different time zones. They 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.
Register for the UK timed event (7.45 GMT) here.
Register for the US timed event (7.30 EST) here.
Where a short text is to be discussed you will find it available for downloading a few days before the date of the session.
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 viz zoom by clicking on the link above or here.