Olympiodorus begins his lectures on Plato’s First Alcibiades with a short narrative biography of Plato himself. Since the Alcibiades was the first Platonic dialogue that students in the Alexandrian academy would study, this biographical account marked the transition between the students’ preliminary study of logic, in Aristotle’s works, to the inspired teaching of Plato. We’ll consider Olympiodorus’ “Life of Plato” in this context. What does it teach us, about what it might mean — in Olympiodorus’ day, and in our own — to live a philosophic life? How can it help us to understand the Platonic tradition as a tradition; i.e., something “handed on” down through the generations? How might the story of Plato’s life serve as a model, a challenge, or an inspiration for our own lives?
These open sessions usually run twice on the same day to accommodate different time zones- once at 7.45pm BST (UK time zone) and one at 7.30pm EDT (Americas time zone). 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. This session will be led by David Nowakowski.
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.
This session will be run twice on the evening of the 18th- once at 7.45pm BST (UK time zone) and one at 7.30pm EDT (Americas time zone). You can register via zoom by clicking on the links here (UK time zone) and here (Americas time zone).
The paper we will be using can be downloaded here.