Publications List:
THE GROWING MIND |
“The greatest good for a human being is daily to converse about goodness and all the other topics about which you hear me examining others and myself. The unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates in Plato’s Apology, 38).
Long before philosophy was imprisoned in the ivory tower, Socrates took it into the marketplace of Athens — the Agora. We follow that Socratic tradition by offering Agora Seminars that are designed to foster philosophical dialogue for the general public, covering a wide range of topics including freedom, justice, beauty, truth, goodness, love, community, and human nature.
Each seminar takes place as a set of interactive sessions preceded by reading, listening, or viewing texts selected to encourage thinking. Central seminar ideas are discussed in the context of one or more of the classical works published by Agora Publications, Inc., newly translated for use in the contemporary context. All of these primary texts are unabridged, providing an opportunity for the participants to go beyond the surface and reflect deeply and independently on the “life worth living.”
Since 2003 our experienced educators have been offering experimental versions of these seminars to groups of adults ranging from 10 to 25 participants. Agora Publications Podcasts demonstrate how the primary texts might be connected with ideas, decisions, and actions that we all face in our daily lives. Two series of podcasts, one on the topic of world community and one on human nature, are available free here.
Agora Publications, Inc. provides free online advice and suggestions for groups that wish to organize their own seminars and select their own leaders from within. For groups or organizations that would like to have professional leadership, we can facilitate contact with experienced educators who may be able to work on site to lead the philosophical dialogue. We offer a 25% discount on Agora products for group orders of ten or more. Additional information is available by email agorapub@verizon.net or by phone (508-376-1073).
The following topics have been developed and taught so far:
Freedom Goodness Human Nature Artistic Masterpieces The Arts Community World Community Love Beauty and Truth