Melbourne School of Philosophy

THE WISDOM WITHIN: a 10-week in-person course starting week commencing 19th September 2022, presented by Melbourne School of Philosophy.

‘The Wisdom Within’ introduces you to some of the great philosophical teachings from around the globe and allows participants to look at life and its meaning, the world and its causes. It asks what holds us back? What sets us free? and importantly invites students to see life as a place to test the words of the wise. Are they applicable now, centuries later? As companions on this exploration, we have concepts and ideas put forward by some of the greatest minds; Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Buddha, Epicurus, Emerson, Vivekananda and a modern exponent of the philosophy of Unity, Shantananda Saraswati.

Themes explored in the 10-week practical course include:

• The nature of wisdom
• Self-discovery and self-knowledge
• Different levels of awareness and wakefulness
• The power of mindfulness and the present moment
• What it means to live justly
• The nature of energy and how to best use energy
• The light of reason & The nature of beauty
• Finding unity in diversity

‘The Wisdom Within’ explores ways of bringing humanity’s great philosophical insights into our everyday lives, placing the emphasis on learning from our own experience, that most powerful of teachers. It poses the question Who am I? and gives practical ways to explore the answer.

For more information, or to enrol: https://practicalphilosophyvic.org.au/courses/wisdom-within/

THE WISDOM WITHIN Our Introductory Course in Practical Philosophy Our face-to-face classes run under a CovidSafe Plan in accordance with the latest state government requirements. Students are welcome to attend the online class if they cannot attend in person due to covid or covid-like symptoms. All scheduled philosop...

Melbourne School of Philosophy - The Wisdom Within

Our 10-week introductory course in practical philosophy ’The Wisdom Within’ commences face-to-face classes from 30th May 2022.

‘The Wisdom Within’ introduces you to some of the great philosophical teachings from around the globe and allows participants to look at life and its meaning, the world and its causes. It asks what holds us back? What sets us free? And importantly invites students to see life as a place to test the words of the wise. Are they applicable now, centuries later? As companions on this exploration, we have concepts and ideas put forward by some of the greatest minds; Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Buddha, Epicurus, Emerson, Vivekananda and a modern exponent of the philosophy of Unity, Shantananda Saraswati.

‘The Wisdom Within’ course also explores ways of bringing humanity’s great philosophical insights into our everyday lives, placing the emphasis on learning from our own experience, that most powerful of teachers. It poses the question Who am I? and gives practical ways to explore the answer.

https://practicalphilosophyvic.org.au/courses/wisdom-within/

WELCOME WELCOME TO MELBOURNE SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY The Melbourne School of Philosophy has been offering philosophy courses in Melbourne since 1977 and is a great place for the curious to further their enquiry into the practical nature of wisdom. Described variously by its students as a "place to discuss the....

The Wisdom Within’ introduces you to some of the great philosophical teachings from around the globe and allows participants to look at life and its meaning, the world and its causes. It asks what holds us back? What sets us free? and importantly invites students to see life as a place to test the words of the wise. Are they applicable now, centuries later? As companions on this exploration, we have concepts and ideas put forward by some of the greatest minds; Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Buddha, Epicurus, Emerson, Vivekananda and a modern exponent of the philosophy of Unity, Shantananda Saraswati.

‘THE WISDOM WITHIN’ course also explores ways of bringing humanity’s great philosophical insights into our everyday lives, placing the emphasis on learning from our own experience, that most powerful of teachers. It poses the question Who am I? and gives practical ways to explore the answer.

There is no attempt to cover all philosophical systems, but there is plenty of opportunity for anyone interested to engage in lively discussion of the big questions of life and the world around us. Previous students have discovered a more mindful presence and effective action in work, study and every aspect of daily life.

Castlemaine Tues 1pm - begins 8th Feb
Hawthorn Weds 10am - begins 9th Feb
Hawthorn Weds 7pm - begins 9th Feb
Ballarat Weds 7pm - begins 9th Feb
Geelong Thursday 7pm - begins 10th Feb
On-line Thursday 7pm - begins 10th Feb

For more information and to enroll (essential) go to https://practicalphilosophyvic.org.au/product/the-wisdom-within/

Introductory Course – The Wisdom Within THE WISDOM WITHIN’ course poses the question Who am I? and gives practical ways to explore the answer. It does not attempt to cover all philosophical systems, but there is plenty of opportunity for anyone interested to engage in lively discussion of the big questions of life and the world around u...

Centuries on, the relevance of Dante’s Divine Comedy remains “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here,” reads the sign at the entrance to hell in Dante’s Divine Comedy (readers of my columns might be familiar with the feeling).

Economics with Justice - Introductory Talk
If you are considering attending the next Economics with Justice course (details below) but would like more information before enrolling, you are invited to meet the presenter to discuss the content.

Book in for the Introductory Talk here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=791714

Economics with Justice Course
Students of the Melbourne Schools are invited to participate in a 10-week online course ‘Introductory Economics with Justice’ from Friday 1st October weekly until 10th December 2021. The course has been developed by The School of Philosophy & Economic Science in London.

Can viewing Economics as the study of human relations in society, through a prism of justice, fairness and natural law help us to better understand the world and our place in it? This course in economics with justice seeks to show how freedom and prosperity are possible for people everywhere, provided we follow natural and elemental laws and aim for fair outcomes in all our economic arrangements.

We trust you will enjoy this thought provoking, interactive and stimulating course. Class numbers are capped.

COMMENCING
Friday 1st October - 7pm to 8.15pm (AEDT)

PRESENTED BY
Warwick Brewster
ASSISTED BY
Christopher Kemp and Mathew Mafrici

LOCATION
Online

COST
£10 Sterling (approx. AU$20)
Friday 24th September 2021 - 7pm to 8pm (AEDT)


[On line with the Zoom platform]

Enrol in the Introductory Course here: https://practicalphilosophyvic.org.au/courses/economics-with-justice/

About the Tutor
Warwick Brewster was a leader in the development of an integrated design and construction approach to building, both through his lectures as head of the Building & Construction department at RMIT University and practically through the company he founded and directed and as a consultant to a number of larger construction companies. Warwick’s lectures at RMIT embraced a philosophy for the conscious management of a building company and its work sites. He has attended the School of Philosophy for forty years in which time he has had many roles culminating in being the founding Chairman of Erasmus Primary School.

Article: 'The Philosophers who might help us through Covid's darkest days' ABC News 25/07/21

'Here comes the sun': The philosophers who might help us through COVID's dark days How do we not fall prey to fear when all we hear is a drumbeat of doom and a daily roll call of new COVID cases, asks Stan Grant.

The Woodcutter
A very strong woodcutter started a new job for a timber company. The pay was good and so were the working conditions. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he is to work.

The first day, the woodcutter cut eighteen trees.

“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”

Very motivated by the boss's words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but could only cut fifteen trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only cut ten trees. Day after day he was cutting fewer and fewer trees.

“I must be losing my strength," the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.

“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

Author Unknown

The Wisdom Within - Introductory Talk.
For those wishing to learn more about the Wisdom Within 10 week course, use the following link to register for a 1 hr introductory talk with an opportunity to discuss the course and ask questions: https://www.practicalphilosophyaustralia.org.au/

Invitation to the National Symposium 2021

Our first ever national symposium is an online event coordinated by the Schools around Australia.

It promises to be a day rich with a variety of presentations from which to choose, all drawn from the many areas of interest and expertise of our students, many of whom have been attending the school for years.

There are three sessions in the program, each containing several options, the idea being to choose one presentation from each session that appeals most to you. Click on the button below to view the options in more detail on the enrolments page.

DATE
Sunday 11 April

TIME
QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS (AEST) :: 9.00am - 3.45pm
SA & NT (ACST) :: 8.30am - 3.15pm
WA (AWST) :: 7.00am - 1.45pm

COST
$45 flat fee.

WHO CAN ATTEND
This is a public event which is open to all. Tell your friends!

LOCATION
Online via Zoom

Details and registration via the Practical Philosophy Australia website here: https://schoolofphilosophy.cmail19.com/t/d-l-qjrkyjl-tihjnxn-r/

ART Speaks - Two free presentations

You are invited to join a national audience at our new online event, Art Speaks, consisting of two free presentations on two different evenings.


Botticelli's La Primavera will be the subject of the first presentation.

Leonardo's The Last Supper will be the subject of the second presentation.

The presenter of the series is Jeffery Courtney, a practising and successful artist streaming live via Zoom from London.

There are no pre-requisites required to attend either talk, and your family and friends are welcome. The talks are free of charge but registration is required.

Scroll down to find out more and register your place at either (or both) talks via the links.

Presentation 1:
La Primavera, one of the most beautiful paintings in western art is also one of the most intriguing and enigmatic; its meaning is the subject of endless discussions among scholars and art historians. The picture evokes the world of classical mythology and neo-Platonism in renaissance Florence as well as illustrating the natural world; all in superb detail.

In the talk Jeffery will introduce us to the characters in the painting and will attempt, with the help of Ficino and others, to unravel some of the mystery surrounding the painting and reveal its hidden message. Although the painting is over six hundred years old he will show how its message is still relevant to us today.

DATE
Saturday 6th March 2021

TIME
7pm AEDT (Sydney, Australia)

PRESENTER
Jeffery Courtney

LOCATION
Online via Zoom

COST
Free

RESERVE YOUR PLACE HERE: https://practicalphilosophyaustralia.arlo.co/register?sgid=c5da8067683f4ad389347f4f6bfa919a

Presentation 2:
Despite the ravages of time and human neglect and folly, The Last Supper remains one of the greatest works of art in the western world. Ground breaking, breath-taking, a new creation, people at the time were amazed at a work of such power and creative genius. Even today with what little remains of Leonardo’s original his masterpiece continues to inspire and astound us. In this talk, Jeffery Courtney will analyse what makes this painting so fascinating and enduring.

DATE
Good Friday
2nd April 2021

TIME
7pm AEDT (Sydney, Australia)

PRESENTER
Jeffery Courtney

LOCATION
Online via Zoom

COST
Free

RESERVE YOUR PLACE HERE:
https://practicalphilosophyaustralia.arlo.co/register?sgid=45f066a0ab8e49909392bfdfda47ae00

About the Presenter

Jeffery Courtney is a professional artist, teacher and lecturer. Trained at the Royal Academy Schools in London. He has works in many private collections and School houses around the world (students may recognize works like The Two Birds, Rama & Sita, Siva) and worked on a major mural project at Waterperry House, Oxfordshire, using the same traditional buon fresco techniques that were used in the Italian renaissance.

He has made a life long study of the techniques of the Old Masters making astonishingly accurate copies of works by Rembrandt, Leonardo, Botticelli, Piero della Franesca and others.

Jeffery is a senior student and philosophy tutor in the School of Philosophy and Economic Science in England.

The Wisdom Within.
Free Introductory Talk - Learn more about our 10 week online course.
Thursday Feb 4 - 8PM AEDT
Register here: https://practicalphilosophyaustralia.arlo.co/register?sgid=3179c0143cbe416ab5b5d80e79e22561