PHILOSOPHIES OF EAST AND WEST, 16-WEEK COURSE


Philosophies of
​East & West 
​18-week Course

​
Start Dates 2025:
Autumn term TBA

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Philosophy means love of wisdom (philo-sophia) and it is essentially an active attitude of awareness towards life. In this sense, we are all born philosophers, with an innate need to ask questions and with the intuition that there are answers to be found.

Every civilisation has passed on to us its experience and understanding of life. However, most of us have only a basic knowledge of philosophy and have had little opportunity to learn about the vast heritage of ideas that have inspired and guided humanity throughout history.
​
This 18-week course will introduce you to the major concepts of Eastern and Western Philosophy and explore their relevance and practical application for our lives.  


START YOUR APPLICATION HERE
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Course Topics

• Timeless & Universal Philosophy • India • Tibet • Buddhism • China • Egypt • Greece • Rome & The Stoics• The Neoplatonic School • Philosophy of History
​• The Human Being & the Universe • The Hermetic Tradition
Timeless and Universal Philosophy: The value of philosophy in relation to science, politics, religion and art. The seven principles in nature and the human being according to Eastern philosophy.
Tibet:  Selected passages from the original Tibetan text “The Voice of the Silence”. Connecting with our inner voice. Stages on the inward journey. The importance of compassion and the need to develop concentration.
Buddhism:  Buddha’s life as a parable of the human journey. Essential concepts of Buddhist teachings: the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path as a way of becoming free from pain and suffering. The Dhammapada.
India: The Bhagavad-Gita: the awakening of consciousness and the inner battle. Essential concepts of Eastern philosophy: karma, dharma and reincarnation. Different types of Yoga. The doctrine of ‘avatars’.
Egypt: Ideas about life and the afterlife. The pyramid as a symbol of the human being and society. Moral teachings of Ptahotep, Ani and other ancient Egyptian sages. 
China: The teachings of Confucius and their relevance today. Ethics as the foundation of social order and good relationships in society. The ideal of the junzi – the noble human being.
Greece: The classical concepts of Individual, Society and State. The idea of Justice. Plato’s Republic: the Allegory of the Cave and the idea of the philosopher king. The five types of government. Aristotle and the importance of happiness for harmonious coexistence.
Rome: Essential concepts of Stoic philosophy - courage and strength in the face of adversity, inner freedom and power over oneself. Selected passages from Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.
The Neoplatonic School: The fertile meeting of Eastern and Western traditions. Key ideas of Plotinus. The three approaches to wisdom through the love of: beauty, music and philosophy. 
The Human Being and the Universe. Macrocosm and Microcosm: The interconnectedness of all things. The cosmovision of traditional societies. Sacred space and sacred time. The inner quality of the seasons and how to be in tune with them.
Philosophy of History: The concept of time. Are there cycles and patterns in history and nature? Myth and history. Astrology and history. The Age of Aquarius.
The Hermetic Tradition: The perennial philosophy and its exponents in history. The ancient sciences of astrology, alchemy and yoga.

Application & Fees 

Fees for the 18-week course are £270.

*Introductory Evening £10*
​The first evening is £10 to attend, and this cost will be deducted from the full course amount if we are able to offer you a place. This evening introduces the course and gives the opportunity to see if this is what you are looking for. There will be two full classes and a break in the middle with an opportunity for refreshments.  

*Enrolment*
Due to oversubscription and limited places, those wanting to enrol on the full course will need to fill out an application form. Places will be offered after the first Introductory Evening and the maximum size of each group will be 12. 


The course evenings start at 7pm and finish at 9.30pm, with a break in the middle. Please arrive promptly at 7pm.


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"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking"

 - MARCUS AURELIUS

 
 
 
 

Application Process

Since we are oversubscribed and places on the course are limited, we are unfortunately not able to guarantee a place on the course. You will need to purchase a ticket for the upcoming the introductory evening and fill in the application form below. 

​The full course fee should be paid after the Introductory Evening for those who would like to enrol and have been offered a place. If you have any questions, please contact us on: [email protected] 
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Introductory Evening Tickets
 

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How to find us

ISLINGTON, N1
New Acropolis 
18 Compton Terrace, Islington, London N1 2UN
Nearest Tube: Highbury & Islington - Victoria Line
Bus Routes: 4, 19, 30, 43, 271, 277

 

About New Acropolis


​New Acropolis is a non-profit educational charity working in the fields of philosophy, culture and volunteering.
​Its mission is to revive the concept of philosophy as a means of individual and collective renewal and transformation.

In 2019 we were included in the Parliamentary Review for Education Services.
  
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"Practise loving continuously, because this is the best way to understand others, help others cheerfully and generously, which is the best way to feel at ease with yourself"

- DELIA STEINBERG GUZMAN

Location

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18 Compton Terrace
London
N1 2UN

0207 359 0059

[email protected]

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