The following courses are currently available from the St Albans branch of the School of Economic Science. Courses of a similar content and structure are available from our branches nationwide.
Practical philosophy is everyday wisdom for living life more fully and happily. It’s finding time and space to consider the big questions of life such as ‘who am I?’ And it’s discovering simple ways to develop greater stillness and clarity. Find the wise man or woman within yourself.
Our ten week introductory course provides a general introduction to the practical nature of the subject. Subsequent terms build on this foundation course. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required.
Session 1. The meaning of Philosophy; the benefits of studying philosophy; what is wisdom? how can wisdom be expressed in practice? the qualities of a wise person; a practical exercise to develop awareness and efficiency in action.
Session 2. Self Knowledge as the basis for good living; the constant underlying the changeable world; the importance of clear observation; viewing the world with an open mind.
Session 3. The levels of awareness: sleeping, dreaming, waking and higher consciousness; Plato: the immortality of the soul.
Session 4. Seeing the unity underlying everything; inner stillness - the basis for developing our full potential; Plato: Justice, injustice and wisdom; acting with justice and wisdom.
Session 5. The great power of reason; the right and wrong use of reason; finding strength and efficiency through inner stillness.
Session 6. Raising one's level of consciousness; beauty: outer and inner; beauty of form, thought and character; absolute beauty as the basis of all; connecting with the present moment; expressing our finest inner qualities in life.
Session 7. What am I? the characteristics of the human being; body, mind, heart and the unchanging inner observer; developing the power of attention.
Session 8. Teachings from the ancient wisdom of India; the three primordial forces of creation; how the three forces operate in the world; recognising our true Self; rising above the duality of pleasure and pain.
Session 9. The effect of the three forces on the body, mind and heart; using the three forces wisely; developing the power of attention in practice.
Session 10. Review the course so far; background to the development of philosophy in the School; Truth, the essence of our being; inner stillness - the way to Truth.
There is no attempt to cover all philosophical systems, but there is plenty for anyone interested in the big questions of life and the world around us. The course includes ideas put forward by Socrates, Plato, Confucius, the Bible, Buddha, Epicurus, Emerson, Vivekananda and Shantananda Saraswati, a modern exponent of the philosophy of unity or Advaita.
Session 1. The true nature of happiness; how may happiness be acquired and lost? Observation, the conscious perceiver and the present moment.
Session 2. Happiness in relationships. Meeting the needs of others. To be happy is to be in tune with one's own nature. The relationship between happiness and law. The creative power of observation.
Session 3. The Vedic principle "May all be happy" and the principle of utility "The greatest happiness for the greatest numbers". Observing the body at work and learning to observe the movements of the mind.
Session 4.The Self as the true source of happiness. The Platonic virtues; the divine and the human goods. The eternal present and passing time.
Session 5.The life and work of Marsilio Ficino (1433 - 1499) The immortality and divinity of the soul. "Rejoice in the present"
Session 6.The difference between pleasure and happiness. The different states of attention.
Session 7.Seven natural values and corresponding misconceptions about them; happiness, knowledge, fullness of life, service, generosity, beauty and love. Attention continued.
Session 8.Detachment, wealth, truth, self-respect, efficiency, duty and work. Attention and efficiency.
Session 9.The meaning and creative power of wisdom. Stepping free from the grip of passing time. Speech and conversation.
Session 10.The process of identification. The birthless and deathless Self. The four principles of work.
Other subjects which may be covered: Being at one with the universe. The importance of not selling our happiness. Further principles of work.
Session 1. What is love. How is love gained and lost? Is love universal or limited? Pure love within everyone's nature. Seeing beyond the apparent. The practice of stillness.
Session 2. Pure love expressed through the creation. The effect of pure love being governed by wisdom, attachment or delusion. Discerning the truth from the fruit of actions. The nature of love in overcoming all limits.
Session 3. The expansion and strengthening of pure love. Love is the natural in-between. Those things which cover love. Constancy.
Session 4. What it is that is loved. The transient and the changeable. Directing love to the true essence. The absence of love and its effect. The nature and effect of gratitude.
Session 5. Love thy neighbour as thyself. The transformative effect of love. The subtle realm and its importance.
Session 6. The subtle realm of mind. Connecting the mind with the senses. Decisions based on true principle. Open - heartedness.
Session 7. Love as the motive force. The causes of duality and hostility. The unity of knowledge and love.
Session 8. Sacrificial love and sentimental love. Lack of love and giving. The difference between human and divine love. The importance of stillness in reaching deeper levels.
Session 9. The relationship between law and love. The commandment to love one another. Freedom of law and love together.
Session 10. Love and work Constancy between words and actions. Love guided by wisdom.
Further studies are available, including Meditation.
Contact us in St Albans
Telephone: 01727 867645