Philosophy

Group details

“Philosophy begins with a sense of wonder” as Plato said many centuries ago. How right he was! Our philosophy group has been enjoying the wonders of the mind, exploring the ideas of Socrates, Democritus, Plato, St Augustine, Aquinas and many other great men. At the same time, we are finding out about their life and times, giving real insights into the history of Western civilisation.

The current chapter for us concerns great thinkers such as Descartes, Spinoza and Locke, and the adventure will continue later with Hume, Kant and the Modern Age, right up to the 21st Century. Along the way, there are many delights – the good sense of the Epicureans, for example, and the clear moral instruction of Aristotle. At one meeting, we even discovered a window into the soul of man, from the 15th Century Florentine philosopher Marsilio Ficino.

You don’t need to have studied the subject before to join us. You just need an enquiring mind, and a desire to understand the things of life a little more deeply. The tradition of philosophy we are studying is rich and rewarding indeed. New members welcome – please contact Gary Chamberlin for further details.