The Melbourne School of Philosophy runs courses in Practical Philosophy at several locations around Victoria. This term our 10-week introductory course ‘The Wisdom Within’ is scheduled to run at a choice of venues, and online.
Summer Term
Monday, 3rd February – Sunday, 27th April 2025
Winter Term
Monday, 26th May –
Sunday, 16th August 2025
Spring Term
Monday, 15th September – Sunday, 6st December 2025
Once enrolled, you join a group of diverse people from differing backgrounds and with (often) diverse points of view. A facilitator sits at the front of the group and presents the material, which is themed and progressive. The group discusses the concepts put forward in the spirit of mutual respect.
“It’s often a rare event to have a discussion with only one person speaking at any one time. People were respectful. They would wait for the other person and listen to what they had to say rather interjecting or imposing” Reg – Student.
The facilitator guides the discussion and encourages examples from everyday life to illuminate the concepts under discussion. There is no right answer. The nature of the discourse is dialectic and the object of the discussion is to listen without prejudice and be open to the views of others. The basic tenet of the course (and indeed the Melbourne School of Philosophy as a whole) is to ‘neither accept nor reject’ what is proposed, but to practice it in your daily life and observe what happens. You are then encouraged to bring back your observations from the week and share with the group.
Students who have completed ‘The Wisdom Within’ course are invited to continue their study with one of our continuation courses. All continuation courses are stand alone, non-sequential and can be studied in any order.
Meditation – as part of practical philosophy
Development of mental clarity and emotional well-being is an important part of Practical Philosophy. To help in this development, traditional mantra meditation is offered after several terms of study. The School has been teaching and supporting students in this form of meditation for over 50 years.
The School continues to make this meditation available, as a fundamental part of Practical Philosophy, for whoever is seeking fullness of life and a deeper understanding of themselves. It is natural, easily learnt and can be practised within the demands of daily living.