There’s no single work of Plato that summarises his philosophy and we understand people want an overview before they commit to a deeper study: this course is designed to provide a brief introduction to some of the central themes and ideas of the tradition.
Course Outline
Introductory Course 2026
The Prometheus Trust runs an introductory course, and we are looking to run it at our normal study centre near Birmingham this Summer. It’s aimed at exploring the essentials of the philosophy of the Platonic tradition. The sessions will cover metaphysics and theology, psychology, virtue and ethics, and Platonic approaches to enlightenment.
The aim is to present an outline of the elements of the Platonic tradition, to show something of its breadth and depth, and to make an initial exploration of the methods by which each participant’s interior resources can be brought into play in the search for philosophical truths and beauties. The Platonic philosophers of the ancient world considered Platonism as a path of wisdom – one which unfolded the innate powers of the soul and revealed her divine likeness. We hope that by the end of the course participants will have glimpsed for themselves why such an exalted view of true philosophy inspired so many men and women over its long history, and why that ever-living path is worth following today.
Syllabus
Each session will use extracts from the writings of the Platonic tradition but will especially rely upon the experience of philosophic discussion within the group. For this reason there will be limited number of places. We have a series of papers which should supplement the discussions of each of the sessions.
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Session |
Introduction
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What is philosophy? Why philosophy? The Platonic tradition
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Session |
Metaphysics 1
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The One or the Good, the Gods of the Platonic tradition, Being
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Session |
Metaphysics 2
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The intelligible and the visible, eternal ideas and temporal
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Session |
Soul 1
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Self-motivity & immortality, reason & freewill, the path of
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Session |
Soul 2
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The soul’s powers, activities, and faculties
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Dialectic |
Dialectical questions: division, definition, demonstration and
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Eros |
The Symposium and Diotima’s path of love
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Virtue |
Four primary virtues – and the direction of the soul’s activities
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Myth |
Plato’s use of philosophical and poetical myth
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Philosophy as initiation
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The mysteries, theurgy. And a look back at the whole course.
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Costs and practical details
We do not charge for the course – the Trust runs all its teaching activities at cost as we consider the cultivation of wisdom to be not only priceless, but also the rightful inheritance of every soul and, as Socrates himself says in the Gorgias (at 420d), not something which should be subject to payments. Our venue is a retreat house in Purley Chase, Warwickshire: their charges for a weekend are £200 inclusive of all costs (with shared facilities) or £230 for single ensuite rooms: this represents only what the Trust pays the retreat house for your accommodation and meals. Payment is due 6 weeks before the course. Should participants feel so moved, the Prometheus Trust (a registered UK charity) welcomes donations, in order to further our work.
2026
14-16 August 2026. We will start the weekend with an evening meal at 6.30pm on the Friday and finish with lunch on the Sunday.
To register, please complete the google form here.
For details of our other upcoming courses and events please look at the listing on this page or have a look at our Events pages.
Upcoming Course
Introductory Course
Essentials of the Philosophy of Plato and his Tradition
The aim is to present an outline of the elements of the Platonic tradition, to show something of its breadth and depth, and to make an initial exploration of the methods by which each participant’s interior resources can be brought into play in the search for philosophical truths and beauties.
Schedule:
Friday 14 August (6.30pm) to Sunday 16 August (2pm).
Location:
Cost:
£200-£230 (inclusive of all meals)- bursaries are available.
Registration:
To register, please complete the google form here.