Cultural Day (Symposium)

Presenter: Mr Michael Luscombe

At certain points in life we are all faced with challenge and adversity. How do we respond under the pressures? Are we resilient? This Interactive and practical workshop will explore the nature of resilience and examine the lives of some everyday people who have been exceedingly resilient through great stability, peace and confidence.

Presenter: Mrs. Christine Harris

The Delphi maxim “Know Thyself” was inscribed on the temple of Apollo in Ancient Greece and was popularised by Socrates, who believed that knowing one’s self was the beginning of wisdom. How can we begin to know ourselves – and others – better, thus giving more truth to the stories we hold about ourselves in the world? One way is through Socrates dialectic method. This session discusses this process and how it can be practically applied in everyday life. Let’s explore how much we may truly know about ourselves and how much more there is to discover!

Presenter: Dr. Neil McNab

When you discover who you truly are, instead of feeling empty, agitated and disconnected, you will discover an inner fullness, peace, and sense of harmony.

Presenter: Mrs. Helen Nichol

Stretch out our philosophical enquiry to connect with the current generation and its challenges. What are they meeting; what’s needed? What could we and philosophy contribute to their full expression, to the beauty of humanity and its search for meaning.

Presenter: Mr. Phillip Wills

A practical session – We explore the aspects of drawing techniques with & focus on observation and resting in the process (with the assistance of Practical Philosophy).

Presenter: Mr. Tim Rogers

It’s the subject of songs and movies and a fundamental human need for all of us to Love and be Loved, but what do we really know about it? Is it an emotion that comes and goes? Is it something I can do/create? If so, how? Is it something I deserve and am owed? Is it a Noun or a Verb? Why is it so hard to tie down what Love actually is? Come explore the deeper realms of the most mis-understood virtue and how we might come to live in it.

Presenter: Dr. Craig Hassed

Dialectic is a process of inquiry made famous by Socrates. In a not altogether comfortably process, Socrates would question the common beliefs and assumptions of many notable people of his day to see it they could withstand the test of reason. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the principles of dialectic and apply them to a question – is the universe intelligent?

Presenter: Mr. Michael Smith

There’s a lot going on in our lives – a perplexing range of expectations, opinions, desires, goals, concerns, pressures, influences… The list goes on and it changes from day to day. So very hard to keep on top of it all. Is that all there is and is this how it’s meant to be? Surely there’s a better way.

Presenter: Dr. Craig Hassed & Mr. Stewart Morritt

Not much is known about the life of William Shakespeare nor the people and literature that influenced him. There are hints, however, in his plays and sonnets to suggest that he was deeply influenced by the Marisilio Ficino and the Platonic revival in the Renaissance. The interactive workshop will explore the historical and literary threads linking Shakespeare with the Platonic tradition with illustrative examples from Shakespeare’s works.

Presenter: Mrs. Philipa Street

Honour thy Father and thy Mother is the fifth commandment, but what about when they have dementia or other problems in their later years? How can we care fully for them whilst maintaining love and respect. This will be a practical ’round table’ discussion sharing our experiences and considering useful ways forward.

Presenter: Dr. Denis Robertson

The ancient practice of Tai Chi enhances the body, mind and spirit. Experience some of the moves and discover underlying principles. Tai Chi forms consist of a series of moves. When done with a clear mind the body will relax and sink allowing gentle, continuous and flowing movement. The moves are not over extended so that the body and mind remain balanced.

Presenter: Mr. Stephen Abrahams

True leaders help those around them to realise their potential. No matter what role we’re playing in life, every one of us can help other in this endeavour. In doing so, we realise our own potential. This presentation will explore art of true leadership.

Presenter: Mr. John Salamito

We will look at creation myths from around the globe with particular emphasis on ancient Greece and the Bible. Across this diversity there is much in common suggesting that philosophical thinkers (the myth makers) across cultures seem to ponder the same kinds of questions. We ask why this is and what meaning might it have for the world today.

Presenter: Mrs. Helen Nichol & Mr. Phillip Wills

Who, What, Where? The question we could ask about the ‘Flowering of Humanity” The Renaissance. The Individuals, The Art, Architecture etc millions of people flock to witness this from all parts of the world. Florence (The City of Flowers) How did Philosophy help create this enduring “Magnificence”?

Presenter: Mrs. Marita Brewster

Music has been around since the beginning of time and is a medium common to all cultures throughout the world. The potential for expression through music is infinite, and the effect of music on the human psyche is palpable. Music has the power to drag one to the depths of despair and to the heights of emotion. It is able to direct the behaviours of not only human beings, but plants and animals as well. It is even able to define a culture. This entertaining presentation will help us begin to explore the enormous power of music and to learn to observer its effect within ourselves.

Presenter: Mrs. Bouthaina Mayall

Experience the alignment of body, mind and heart with spirit through the art of abhinaya. In this session we sill learn movements and mudras that allow the meaning of ancient Sanskrit prayers to be experienced and expressed.

Presenter: Mr. Stephen Abrahams

If it’s choice, not chance that determines our destiny, what destiny are you choosing? The decisions that we make moment by moment day by day, are steering a course of our lives. By understanding the choices we make and the basis for those decisions, we can begin to steer a more conscious path for our lives. This presentation will help you to make more conscious choices for your life’s path.

Presenter: Mr. Rajesh Bhandari

The Fortunes of Dialectic workshop is ideal for any person wishing to discover the Truth about themselves or any given topic they wish to pursue. We will study the guiding principles of Dialectic which Socrates used over years ago. We will also practice the ancient are of Dialectic conversation with the aim of discovering the Truth about ourselves. Observations on what was found during the process will also be shared. The key experience is the taste of Truthful discovery about OneSelf. The taste of Truth will lead to greater inspiration along the path of Self Discovery! Come along and taste the Truth with fellow seekers!

Presenter: Mr. John Salamito

The Cross was originally the symbol for utmost rejection. But of his forthcoming crucifixion Jesus said he “will be lifted up for all men” implying a path to unity. Pilate’s mysterious demand that a sign be posted in three languages (Latin, Greek and Hebrew) unwittingly suggests the same. We will explore the biblical story and how the Cross both physically and philosophically brings together opposites – heaven and earth; grace and nature; eternity and time; etc.

Presenter: Assoc. Prof. Stephen McKenzie

Socrates was a great ancient Greek philosopher, but is he also something more? Were Socrates’ great philosophical and therefore great life messages just for ancient Greeks or are they for us? Socrates wasn’t an armchair or academic philosopher he was a public domain philosopher, who burst our at people in the Athenian market place and challenged them to be more than they thought they were. Socrates challenged people so successfully that he was tried and executed by the Athenian state at the age of 70 – for trumped up charges of corrupting the city’s youth – by a poisonous poet called Miletus. In this session you will have a unique opportunity be informed and inspired and transformed by the death and life of a very universal man with a very individual message.