Philosophy in the Cotsworlds!

Don't have time in your busy schedule to look at some of the really basic questions you might have about what wisdom, happiness, or the good life actually are? Then join fellow seekers after truth and professional philosophers at two weekend discussion retreats where no question is too big – or small – to warrant serious and friendly examination.

Even better, the weekends – ‘Philosophy & Happiness: What The Ancients Could Still Do For Us', (Friday 28th – Sunday 30th May 2010) and ‘Philosophy & Happiness: Modernity And The Meaning Of Life’ (Friday 27th – Sunday 29th August 2010) – are both taking place at a particularly beautiful location, the picturesque Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds.

The courses are to be very informally chaired by Peter Worley, a London-based philosopher, writer and teacher and trained Philosopher Counsellor with the Society for Philosophy in Practice, and Emma Worley, a student of Greek Philosophy, trained life coach and a comedian who knows a fair bit about generating laughter-induced happiness. Emma and Peter are also founder-directors of The Philosophy Shop (www.thephilosophyshop.co.uk), a social enterprise for teaching philosophy to primary school children. The Philosophy Shop also runs adult philosophy groups and residential courses in philosophy, of which these weekends are just the latest.

The programmes for the two weekends are set up to be deliberately highly thought-provoking as well as entertaining and while making in themselves an excellent an introduction to Philosophy for the interested beginner are intriguingly going to be explore the theme of Happiness through the eyes of the Ancient and Modern Schools of Philosophical thought.

“Inspired by Socrates’ ‘The unexamined life is not worth living,’ we firmly believe that Philosophy can genuinely help with life’s big and small questions,” says Peter. “We'll look at how the greatest thinkers of ancient and modern times offer insight into meaning and happiness.”

The courses offer a number of useful resources for the interested student, such as special handouts, presentations and discussions using film, music, art, walking (weather permitting!) and even live theatre to explore themes like:

What The Ancients Could Still Do For Us - Aristotle’s identification of happiness as the ultimate good; the Stoics’ teaching on independence of mind and inner fortitude; the Epicureans’ emphasis on learning to cultivate simple pleasures; Socrates on virtue and justice as conditions for happiness; the positive psychology of Buddhism.
Modernity And The Meaning Of Life - What should we take seriously and why? The Existentialists, Kant’s concept of duty, Bentham's notion of Utilitarian happiness and Nietzsche’s identification of happiness with suffering and self-creation.

The study weekend costs £230 with all meals, tuition and an ensuite single included, or £220 for a shared ensuite twin or double, and £158 for tuition and food only. Space is limited, so pre-booking essential: to book your attendance on – ‘Philosophy & Happiness: What The Ancients Could Still Do For Us’, please visit http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/bookstep1.asp?course=2101; while to book your attendance on ‘Philosophy & Happiness: Modernity And The Meaning Of Life’ please visit http://www.farncombeestate.co.uk/coursedetail.asp?course=2180

About The Weekend Discussion Leaders

Pete Worley regularly writes, blogs and lectures on Philosophy and education topics and has been teaching the subject to primary school children across South East London for the last seven years. He is a regular contributor to Teach Primary, and has written articles for Teaching Thinking and Creativity, Philosophy Now and Think. He has also written one of the chapters for Doctor Who and Philosophy, to be published as part of the Popular Culture and Philosophy Series. Peter was among the winners of the Teacher’s TV competition, ‘Tomorrow’s Teacher’ and his new book The If Machine is a collection of philosophical thought experiments for young children. Emma also writes on philosophy and education and has been published widely, including in Prospect magazine.

The Philosophy Shop's work in British schools has been featured in the TES, The Daily Mail, The Independent, The Observer, BBC Online, the BBC World Service and on The Today Programme.

For more information about The Philosophy Shop, visit http://www.thephilosophyshop.co.uk

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Notes for editors:

About The Philosophy Shop

The Philosophy Shop promotes the practical application of philosophy in the community. It supports and promotes the teaching of philosophy in primary school children, as well as philosophy summer schools, philosophy groups and philosophical counselling. The Philosophy Shop is committed to the fact that through the rational investigation of existence, ethics and knowledge children are able to realise lots of benefits, including raised IQ, raised self-confidence and improved emotional intelligence. The company provides training for qualified philosophers on how to practically employ philosophical methods in a classroom situation. The programme brings philosophy to bear on the national curriculum and teaches classes of primary school children to think critically and ethically about themes raised there. The Philosophy Shop also offers teachers training in how to enhance their teaching methods through philosophical techniques.

The Philosophy Shop is a social enterprise and a member of Social Enterprise London, operating on a not-for-profit basis. Any operating surplus is reinvested in providing educational services or promoting Philosophy in the community.