The Platonic Academy of Melbourne – Page 11 – Platonic Mysticism and Science

The revival of Greek Wisdom in the Renaissance

Detail from a fresco painted by Benozzo Gozzoli of the procession with Lorenzo the Magnificent leading on the eastern wall of the Chapel of the Magi, Medici Riccardi Palace, Florence — The court of the Medici included Greek Platonist like Gemistos Plethon (top left). See wikipedia for details.

The seminal influence of Byzantine Platonists on the Western Renaissance is often discounted these days.

Join us Thursday evening (7 pm, 14 July) at this Greek Community seminar and find out just how important were these Greek mystics to the revival of the mathematical sciences in the West.

UPDATE: watch the recording here.

Winter term starting soon

Places are still available for all evening classes (in Carlton + online) starting the week of Monday, 11 July 2022.

Gorgias: persuasion, power and passion (from Wed 13 July) [BOOKED OUT] : Plato’s dialogue The Gorgias considers the dangers when political and judicial systems are driven by rhetorical persuasion. According to Plato. the entire social discourse risks losing track of the truth. In this course, suitable for beginners and continuing student, we read this foundational work in European political philosophy.

Platonism and Christianity (from Tues 12 July) [BOOKED OUT] delves into the Hellenistic origins of Christianity to find how it soaked up the influence of Greek philosophy across the first five centuries of the common era. Past students say that this course provided them with a whole new perspective not only on Christianity, but on the origins of modern European culture.

Ancient Greek language & the first philosophers continues with Part II (from Monday 11 July). [BOOKED OUT]

Winter term enrolments now open

The Gospel of St John from the Tyndale Bible — William Tyndale’s translation of the prologue to John’s Gospel (see Platonism & Christianity)

Enrolments are now open for Winter evening classes starting the week of Monday, 11 July 2022.

Gorgias: persuasion, power & passion reads one of Plato’s most accessible dialogues (from Wednesday 13 July). This course is suitable for beginners and continuing students.
Platonism & Christianity surveys the influence of Platonism on the development of Christian doctrine and mythology (from Tuesday 12 July).
Ancient Greek language & the first philosophers continues with Part II (from Monday 11 July).

The venue for all classes this term is the Kathleen Syme Centre in Carlton. If you can’t come in to Carlton then an online option is available and all classes are recorded.