Power and Politics: Unpacking Machiavelli's The Prince

Date

Friday 20th September 2024. 10am until 12noon

Venue

Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PU

Fee

£16 [or pay what you can afford]

Description

If power is the means to secure order and stability, what tactics and ethics are justifiable for a ruler to maintain control and achieve the greater good? In this half day course, the first of four in our exploration of Renaissance thought, we’ll discuss Machiavelli’s response to this question in his famous work, The Prince. We’ll consider his groundbreaking ideas on power and governance, and look at how they challenged traditional norms, ultimately reshaping political thought.

Booking

To book a place on this course, you can either use the 'Book' button to take you to eventbrite, or email darrenharper.esq@gmail.com

Humanism and Idealism: Erasmus, More, and the Quest for Utopia

Date

Friday 25th October 2024. 10am until 12noon

Venue

Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PU

Fee

£16 [or pay what you can afford]

Description

How can individual moral responsibility and a personal relationship with God lead to societal reform and spiritual renewal? What constitutes an ideal society, and how can we critique and improve upon existing social and political structures to achieve a more just and equitable world? In this half day course, the second of four in our exploration of Renaissance thought, we’ll discuss the responses of Desiderius Erasmus and Thomas More to these questions. Discover how these thinkers challenged societal norms, promoted education, and envisioned ideal societies amidst the intellectual ferment of the Renaissance period.

Booking

To book a place on this course, you can either use the 'Book' button to take you to eventbrite, or email darrenharper.esq@gmail.com

Date

Friday 8th November 2024. 2pm until 4pm

Venue

Higham Hall, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9SH

Fee

£18 each or £32 for 2 [including refreshments]

Description

Ever contemplated the profound essence of simplicity? Can Thoreau’s retreat to Walden Pond unveil the secrets of a meaningful, uncluttered life in the midst of nature? How does Emrys Westacott’s philosophy navigate the intricacies of modernity, offering insights into embracing simplicity amidst the complexities of a technology-driven world? Join us for ‘A Philosopher’s Guide to Simplicity,’ where these questions unravel the philosophies of Thoreau and Westacott, guiding us toward a more intentional and uncomplicated existence.

Booking

To book a place on this course, you can either use the 'Book' button to take you to trybooking, ring Higham Hall on 017687 76276 or email admin@highamhall.com

Talk & Tea: A Philosopher's Guide to Simplicity

Self-Exploration and Skepticism: The Essays of Montaigne

Date

Friday 21st March 2025. 10am until 12noon

Venue

Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PU

Fee

£16 [or pay what you can afford]

Description

In a world where certainty is elusive and the boundaries of human knowledge are constantly challenged, how do we grapple with the complexities of existence and seek understanding amidst the inherent uncertainties of life? In this half day course, the third of four in our exploration of Renaissance thought, we’ll discuss some of Montaigne’s responses to this question. We’ll delve into Montaigne's life, his philosophy of skepticism and individualism, and discover how his ideas shaped the intellectual currents of the Renaissance period.

Booking

To book a place on this course, you can either use the 'Book' button to take you to eventbrite, or email darrenharper.esq@gmail.com

Date

Friday 28th March 2025. 2pm until 4pm

Venue

Higham Hall, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9SH

Fee

£18 each or £32 for 2 [including refreshments]

Description

This talk will explore diverse perspectives on love. Beginning with Plato’s The Symposium, we’ll discuss physical attraction and spiritual beauty. Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving will proffer psychological insights, emphasizing love as an art that requires practice, care, and knowledge. Lastly, we’ll engage with Bell Hooks’ All About Love, advocating for love as a radical force for social change and personal growth.

Booking

To book a place on this course, you can either ring Higham Hall on 017687 76276 or email admin@highamhall.com

Talk & Tea: A Philosopher's Guide to Love

Science and Philosophy: Bacon, Galileo, and the Birth of Modern Thought

Date

Friday 27th June 2025. 10am until 12noon

Venue

Stricklandgate House, 92 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4PU

Fee

£16 [or pay what you can afford]

Description

How can empirical observation and systematic experimentation lead us to a deeper understanding of the natural world and improve human knowledge? How can mathematical reasoning and empirical evidence help us uncover the fundamental laws governing the cosmos and challenge established beliefs about the universe? In this half day course, the fourth and final in our exploration of Renaissance thought, we’ll discuss the responses of Francis Bacon and Galileo Galilei to these questions. We’ll uncover how their revolutionary ideas shaped the birth of modern thought.

Booking

To book a place on this course, you can either use the 'Book' button to take you to eventbrite, or email darrenharper.esq@gmail.com