2025 NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
Registrations are now open, and we invite you, your friends and your family to register now for this hybrid annual event that brings our national school communities together.
Embracing “philosophy as a way of life” inspires our students, and the talks on offer are drawn from the rich knowledge and areas of interest of students from schools across the country.
Join us at Mahratta in Wahroonga or online via ZOOM.
Time: 8:45am to 3:00pm
Location: ‘Mahratta’ 25 Fox Valley Rd. Wahroonga, NSW
Cost: $65 for In person, $45 for Online
The Program
8:45am to 9:15am Plenary Session - Anthony Renshaw
9:15am to 10:45am Morning Session, choose one of the three options:
There was a time when the largest civilisation on earth worshipped Ahura Mazda and followed the teachings of the prophet Zarathushtra. Today, however, the Zoroastrian faith is a minority religion with a relatively small number of followers worldwide. This talk will look at the historical figure of Zarathushtra, his legacy and his philosophic teachings, in particular the three pillars of the faith: Good Thoughts - Good Words - Good Deeds and examine what influence has Zoroastrianism held over the ages and what relevance does it have in this modern hi-tech era?
Presented by Hugh Hanson - Hugh, whose wife is a Zoroastrian, has been a student of Practical Philosophy since the nineties.
Throughout history humans and animals have survived the appearance of devastating plagues and pandemics, from the Black Death in the 14th century to the 1918 Spanish flu, and most recently, COVID-19. In the last 100 years we have witnessed 4 influenza pandemics, widespread global outbreaks of HIV, Mpox, Ebola and Marburg viruses, Bird flu, SARS viruses, COVID-19, and others. Each outbreak challenges our healthcare systems, economies, and social structures, but they also teach us invaluable lessons on preparation and resilience. However, there are many more threats! How do we prepare for the next pandemic - Disease X? Efforts to mitigate future pandemics focus on early detection, vaccine development, global cooperation, education, hygiene awareness, cooperation with vaccine manufacturers and strengthening public health infrastructure.
Presented by Dr Gary Grohmann - Gary is an independent consultant virologist and is a board member and member of the scientific advisory committee of the Immunisation Coalition in Australia, and an adjunct professor at the University of Sydney. He has worked in senior roles for the TGA, WHO, and CDC in Atlanta. He also works as an advisor on a number of research projects involving novel vaccines to COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia.
Masculinity has become a controversial topic in recent times, but what various ideas and perspectives have philosophers adopted towards men and masculinity over the millennia? Were there any recurring themes? Are any of these ideas useful in the 21st century? What does a rose bush have in common with a cat? All of these things and more we will explore in this talk focused on philosophy and masculinity. The topic will be approached in a non-partisan, open-minded manner, with ideas presented that may be practical for people from many different walks of life.
Presented by Rowan Karrer, a tutor and student at the School.
10:45am to 11:15am Morning Tea
11:15am to 12:45pm Late Morning Session, choose one of the four options:
There is an erroneous idea that the study of Plato is for intellectual dreamers, that it is old and irrelevant in our world today. “…Plato’s arguments call into question the whole structure of our thoughts”. If this is so, then the timeless wisdom of Plato might shine the light of philosophy into those dark areas of thinking many of us entertain. Literal understanding is open to anyone who speaks the language, depth is, however, individual you cannot be told, it has to be explored and evaluated by our inner sense of love, justice and reason. We will explore Plato through listening to the words, discussion and reflection. The aim of this session is to give those who have never studied Plato, a sense of the joy and love that can be experienced through the listening to and quiet consideration of his words.
This is a special call out to our young adults no matter what your occupation or study. The world is replete with self interest groups that are trying to fashion your mind. Come and see if you can free yourself from the shackles of these opinions and look again with an open and just mind.
Presented by David Leafe – David is a retired dentist with a lifelong interest in the social policies of Henry George and the Philosophy of Plato.
The extraordinary advances in AI begs the question can it be conscious. This presentation will examine this question from the stand points of Western and Eastern Philosophy and Modern Physics. Western Philosophy emphasises reason as exemplified by Plato and can an AI be reasonable or just imitate it? Advaita Vedanta suggests that consciousness underlies all phenomena, as a creature does AI then participate actively in consciousness? Is AI just another appearance in consciousness (Maya) or can it awaken that underlying reality? Newtonian mechanics elaborate a predictable world of cause and effect leading to a mechanical view of everything; Quantum Mechanics on the other hand suggests a far more complex and interconnected world. We will also examine modern advocates of AI such as Elon Musk. This presentation will review the subject without presenting conclusions but hopes to expand the way we think about AI, consciousness and reality.
Presented by Mark Armstrong – Mark was in the military and has been involved in technology throughout his career. He specialises in AI governance, digital transformation, and IT compliance, helping leverage technology effectively. He is keenly interested in Artificial Intelligence and its ongoing evolution.
When Russian philosopher PD Ouspensky came to London in the 1930s, nobody imagined the lasting mark he will leave on Western spirituality. The Study Society was formed to further the work on the Fourth Way and complete the system with help from the masters from which this knowledge originated. Only in 1961, after years of intense searching did they find Sri Shantananda Saraswati, the head of the Advaita tradition in Northern India, to fulfil that goal. Mantra meditation was prescribed and meticulously brought to the West, intertwining the fate of the Study Society and the School of Practical Philosophy. Despite witnessing many inner revolutions, the school found ways to both continue practices laid out by its founders, as well as grow more in line with the times.
Presented by Tudor Stefanescu - A student of various spiritual schools over the past 16 years and a keen observer of ancient history, comparative religion and the psychology of inner work.
Tai Chi can be energizing or calming, a martial arts practice or a meditative practice. Through the simple movements of the 5 Flowing, this session will use Tai Chi to discover the balance between tension and relaxation, the inward and outward breath, stillness within movement, and remaining as the silent, motionless observer in the midst of activity.
The group will then discover strength without tension, and then move onto Pushing Hands, and experience the openness, sensitivity and inner strength through just observing the movement of the body and connecting with the senses– “Like water, the softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world” (Lao Tzu).
Presented by Demetrius Condos - Demetrius is a practicing architect, artist, enjoys swimming and climbing, and has been a member of the School of Practical Philosophy for many decades.
Demetrius holds Tai Chi classes at Mahratta on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
12:45pm - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30pm to 3:00pm Afternoon Session, choose one of the three options:
There is confusion about the practice of Yoga, with many believing that it is limited to moving the body or resting on a mat. This presentation will lay out the eight-fold royal path of Ashtanga Yoga presented in the Yoga Sutra by Maharishi Patañjali, thought to be transmitted in oral form between 1000-1500 BCE. You will learn about the 8 ‘limbs’ of yoga, experience the external and internal steps that constitute Yoga and consider how these ancient practices can be adapted for the western body and mind.
Presented by Robyn Lewis – Robyn is a Yoga Therapist and has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years. She is a PhD Candidate, researching models of residential care for people living with dementia. She is a student at the School of Practical Philosophy.
History has demonstrated the old axiom that what goes up must come down. This presentation will look at the start of empires and cultures and in some detail at their fall. We will cover the rise and end of the Neolithic in Europe, the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean bronze age, especially the 12th Century BC collapse, Third Century Rome and the Tang Dynasty in China as well as examine processes today. We will compare our findings with the work of Peter Turchin and his team analysing large historical databases. There will be an opportunity to discuss and examine a way forward.
Presented by Malcolm Lennox - Malcolm is a geologist by profession with an interest in History especially as it demonstrates philosophical principles. He has been a student of Practical Philosophy since the mid-seventies.
If we were asked to list all the things in the room we are in right now, space would very rarely get a mention. But we may find that space is the most important component in our environment. As Lao Tzu said – “Thirty spokes share one hub. Adapt the nothing therein to the purpose in hand and you will have the use of the cart . . .” In this presentation, we will look at the importance of space and spaciousness in everyday life, and explore the use of space in art and architecture, poetry, listening, movement (Tai Chi), and meditation.
Presented by Demetrius Condos - Demetrius is a practicing architect and artist, teaches Tai Chi, enjoys swimming and climbing, and has been a member of the School of Practical Philosophy for many decades.