Philosophy and Classics

Spencer Klavan is the author of How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for 5 Modern Crises and assistant editor of The Claremont Review of Books and The American Mind at the Claremont Institute. With a PhD in Classics, Klavan's literary expertise is aided by his knowledge of many languages, including Ancient Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. As a scholar who enjoys exploring how great works of literature pr...

Ward Farnsworth is Dean and John Jeffers Research Chair at the University of Texas School of Law. He formerly was Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at the Boston University Law School. He’s the author of The Socratic Method and The Practicing Stoic . Highlights * The Socratic method as an orientation of mind, is different from the orientation of mind that we use by default a...

This episode is the final part of the Plato’s Academy Centre course on the Socratic Method. In this lesson, we will be learning about the positive philosophy of Socrates and his use of irony. If you've enjoyed it, please check out these simple ways you can support the Plato's Academy Centre . Socrates' fellow Athenians were frustrated and fascinated by him in equal measures. Right down to the pres...

Above is an audiobook excerpt from David Fideler’s Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living. Special thanks to W. W. Norton & Company and Tantor Media & HighBridge Audio. In Breakfast with Seneca , philosopher David Fideler mines Seneca's classic works in a series of focused chapters, clearly explaining Seneca's ideas without oversimplifying them. Best enjoyed as a daily ritual, l...

This episode is part of the Plato’s Academy Centre course on the Socratic Method. In this lesson, we will be learning about how cognitive therapists spot common cognitive distortions and how these compare to common logical fallacies. In the previous lesson, we looked at how cognitive therapists use Socratic Questioning today to help clients evaluate their beliefs in terms of evidence and helpfulne...

Dr. Sean Lyons is Professor of Leadership and Management and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies at the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. Dr. Lyons’s main area of research concerns intergenerational differences and their impacts on workplace dynamics and managing people. He is co-author of the book Generational Career Shifts: How Matures, Boomer...

In this episode, Donald discusses the life and philosophy of Diogenes the Cynic with Jean-Manuel Roubineau, associate professor of ancient history at Rennes 2 University. Prof. Roubineau specializes in Greek antiquity, the historical anthropology of sport, and the history of social inequalities. He is the author of several books, including The Dangerous Life and Ideas of Diogenes the Cynic . Plato...

Diane Kalen-Sukra is the founder of Kalen Academy , an interactive online school for civic leaders and engaged citizens, which she launched after retiring as a city manager. She is also an acclaimed author, speaker and coach . Diane’s most popular book “ Save Your City: How Toxic Culture Kills Community & What To Do About It”   takes readers on a successful journey from Bullyville to Sustainaville...

Prof. Nancy Sherman is a New York Times Notable Author and Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University. Her most recent book is  Stoic Wisdom: Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience (2021). Other books include Afterwar, The Untold War (a NYT editors’ pick), Stoic Warriors , Making a Necessity of Virtue, and The Fabric of Character .   Sherman lectures int...

This episode is part of the Plato’s Academy Centre course on the Socratic Method. In this lesson, we will be learning about modern applications of Socratic Questioning. We’ll begin by looking at the main Socratic technique of cognitive psychotherapy, and then at some helpful variations. Socrates' method of questioning has influenced many different educational approaches, and been used in fields as...

What can we learn about emotional resilience from Plutarch’s classic On Peace of Mind ? Practical advice from Plutarch on putting values into action, cognitive distancing, cultivating gratitude, and more. This is the full audio recording of Donald’s presentation from the Plato’s Academy Centre Philosophy and Resilience event on 20th May 2023. As there were some glitches with the streaming software...

William O. Stephens is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University in Nebraska.  His interests include ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Stoicism as a way of life, Stoicism and popular culture, ethics, animals, and the environment.  He is the author of several books on philosophy, including Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed , Stoic Ethics: Epictetus and Happiness as Freedom...

Matthew Sharpe is Associate Professor of philosophy at Deakin University, Australia. He has taught philosophy for over two decades, and is the author of multiple books, including most recently  Stoicism, Bullying, and Beyond  (in press, 2022),  The Other Enlightenment  (in press, 2022), and (with Michael Ure),   Philosophy as a Way of Life: History, Dimensions, Directions  (Bloomsbury, 2021) .  He...

This episode is part of the Plato’s Academy Centre course on the Socratic Method. In this lesson, we will be learning about the central techniques of the Socratic Method. We’ll begin by looking at how Socrates acquired definitions and evaluated them in order to refine important philosophical concepts. We’ll also learn about a simple “two-column method” found in the Socratic dialogues. Plato's Acad...

This is a talk given by Donald at the original location of Plato’s Academy, in what is now Plato’s Academy Park, near the centre of Athens. He discusses the history of the park from Socrates, through Plato, to the Stoics, and what the future may hold, describing the plans of the Plato’s Academy Centre to create a conference centre near the original location of Plato’s school. Transcript This is a...

This episode is part of the Plato’s Academy Centre course on the Socratic Method. In this lesson, we will be learning about the role of civility in the Socratic Method. We’ll also begin looking at how Socrates coped with insults and how the concept of the “principle of charity” can help us preserve civility and reason in a debate. Plato's Academy Centre Newsletter is a reader-supported publication...

Dr. Tom Morris is a former professor of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. He’s also the founder of the Morris Institute for Human Values, and the author of The Stoic Art of Living , If Aristotle Ran General Motors , and The Everyday Patriot. We’re delighted to welcome Dr. Morris back as a guest speaker at our March 11th virtual event, How Can We Save Rational Discourse: Philosop...

This episode features Simon J. Drew, founder of The Walled Garden podcast and community, and author of The Poet & The Sage . Thank you for reading Plato's Academy Centre Newsletter. This post is public so feel free to share it. Highlights * Simon’s podcast transitioned into community with Sharon Lebell, Kai Whiting and more modern day philosophy influencers in tow * The Poet and the Sage * Inspira...

This episode features Nancy Sherman, distinguished university professor and professor of philosophy at Georgetown University. She was also the inaugural Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the United States Naval Academy. Prof. Sherman is the author of several books including S toic Wisdom : Ancient Lessons for Modern Resilience and Stoic Warriors, The Untold War. Thanks for reading Plato's Academy C...

This episode features Mick Mulroy, co-founder of Lobo Institute, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, retired CIA Paramilitary Officer and U.S. Marine, ABC News Analyst, and MEI Fellow. Mick will be featured at our March 11th event, Stoicism and Politics. Highlights * A revisit to Lycurgus ’ leadership * His direction influenced the establishment of American democracy * Hoplite training b...

This episode is part of the Plato’s Academy Centre course on the Socratic Method. In this lesson, we will be learning who Socrates was, and why he became famous. We’ll also begin looking at the origins of the Socratic Method, and the role it played in his philosophy. Thanks for reading Plato's Academy Centre Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. There is no great...

This episode features Eugenia Manolidou, Head of Studies at Elliniki Agogi , School of Ancient Greek. This is an audio excerpt from Eugenia’s talk titled "Disrupting me Stoically" at the Plato’s Academy Centre virtual conference “Ancient Philosophy for Modern Leadership”. Highlights * How Eugenia became interested in the practical value of philosophy * How Plutarch’s On Tranquillity of Mind helped...

This episode features, Donald J. Robertson , author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor , and the founder and president of the Plato’s Academy Centre. This is an audio excerpt from Donald’s talk titled "Socrates on Leadership and Self-Discipline" at the Plato’s Academy Centre virtual conference “Ancient Philosophy for Modern Leadership”. Thanks for reading Plato's Academy Centre Newsletter! Subsc...

In this podcast, Donald describes a simple method for learning, or teaching, the Socratic Method , originally used by Socrates, with lots of examples. * How the two-column technique is used in cognitive therapy today * The original two-column method used by Socrates * What Socrates actually said, excerpt from Xenophon’s Memorabilia Socratis * Example of similar technique used centuries later by a...