19 Compton Terrace
Islington, London
N1 2UN
Plato and the pursuit of Truth – Questioning as an instrument of truth
“Divinity compels me to act as a midwife . . . but when souls, not bodies, are pregnant.” – Plato, in the Theaetetus
Plato’s dialogues have challenged readers to explore questions of truth and reality for the last 2,400 years: during that time humankind’s view of truth and the universe we inhabit has undergone many changes – but Plato’s philosophy remains alive with his profound questions. But Plato does not present his philosophy in a dogmatic way – many of his dialogues are built around a question and answer format: why is this?
The third of three Sunday afternoons exploring Plato’s approach to truth-seeking we aim to explore the different ways that careful questioning allows hidden truths to emerge from common opinions, and half-formed thoughts, from conflicting positions and unexamined assumptions. We will also look at the way Socrates in particular approaches different characters with appropriate strategies – for his is a more subtle art than many realise.
We will spend an hour looking at various passages of the dialogues, selected to illustrate particular approaches and after a short break, open up the meeting to an open discussion about this form of philosophy.
Each workshop will be self-contained, so if you can’t make all three Sunday afternoons (March 10, 17th and 24th) do come along to those you can make.
Details of all three workshops can be found on both the New Acropolis website (see contact details) and the Prometheus Trust website – www.prometheustrust.co.uk (go to the “lectures” page)