Plato's Philosophy Experiential Workshop, Plato’s Academy Park and Digital Museum, Athens 

A journey back to the city-state of Athens during the Golden Age, the authentic experience reviving the ancient Greek philosophical quest.

Our journey will begin with a short visit at Plato’s Academy Digital Museum (free entrance, but not always open), preparing ourselves for "meeting’’ Plato, his work and methods.

Then, will walk about 300m through the archeological park of the Academy and take our position on the ruins of the ancient Gymnasium, the place where the youngsters used to train; same place where all great philosophers preferred to gather, teaching the young people. We shall sit on the foundation stones of the ancient buildings, under shaded trees.

You will have the opportunity to participate in dialogues, as we discover the deeper meanings of the Allegory of the Cave while the instructor poses questions, as being another Socrates. You will this way practice the Socrates maieutic (midwife) art, as well as the platonic dialogue techniques through exchanging opinions, beliefs, experiences and views on specific and real-modern life example cases, the same way the ancient Greek philosophers did. 

In the end, there will be a debate - an ethical dilemma based on what was discussed before. Speaking time is counted with a replica of an ancient water-timer.

Your facilitator will guide you through the whole process, reassuring that everyone is equally involved.

At Plato’s Academy Digital Museum, 1 Alkmeonos str. ,10442 Athens.

Same as pick up

• Your booking confirmation voucher (printed or as a photo)
• Casual clothes and shoes, a hat and fresh water, since the location is outdoors, in a park.
• Above ALL: your curiosity, experience and ideas!

• Facilitator or Instructor (depending on the booked option)
• Liability Insurance
• Local Taxes 24%

• No Guided tour (this activity is an educational interactive workshop)

Philosophy in ancient Athens

The word ‘’philosophy’’ comes from the greek words ‘’philo’’ and ‘’sophia’’ and it means ‘’ love for wisdom, wisdom pursuit’’. Philosophy is an activity for our souls and minds, a way to keep both vivid and alive. It helps us navigate our perception of life and people, find satisfaction, live morally, and think out of the box. We philosophize every time we search for the truth beyond what is known, beyond what is seen, beyond the established perception, using the power of logic. However philosophy is not something you get over a book, it is something you do.

Ancient Greek philosophy set the basis of Western thinking by offering a way to think and question human and nature activities. During the Athenian Golden Age (5^th century B.C.), philosophy reached its pick via a common quest between teachers and students, within Schools but also in public places where citizens could freely participate. In a time where democracy flourished, all Athenian citizens had the right to talk during the Assembly (ancient greek: ekklesia) and also the obligation to vote about all city-state matters. 

Philosophers’ role was the one of questioning the status quo while searching the right path to a noble life, keeping this way the citizens’ critical thought busy working towards the public and personal wellness. Therefore the ancient Greek philosophers had to develop themselves and also teach others exceptional thinking and argument skills. To achieve this, they introduced an innovative teaching method; via productive dialogue. Through it, each party was discovering the truth on his own potential and will. Under the watchful and critical eye of the public opinion, philosophers had additionally to prove that their teachings were feasible and were actually leading to a noble life, by implementing their theories into their own everyday living. Their students did the same. In ancient Athens when a man chooses to follow the teachings of a philosopher he chooses not only a way to think and talk, but also a way to live (or alike Socrates, lose) his life.

Plato and the Academy

Plato began his philosophical quest being a student of Socrates who introduced him to teaching through dialogue. As Socrates did not write any books himself, Plato was the one who wrote down, further developed and widely spread this technique through his school, his students and his books. Therefore Plato is considered to be the founder of the dialogue teaching technique, which is still considered to be one of the most productive and democratic teaching methods.

Plato founded his School at 327 b.C., inside an idyllic grove right outside the city center named Hekademia, nearby one of the city’s Gymnasiums (place for training). Many philosophers used to gather there at that time, so that they spread their teachings and theories amongst the youngsters.

Students of the Platonic Academy would first train their bodies and minds via sports and martial arts, mathematics, astronomy, physics, politics and music. Only if one had succeeded in all the above was considered to be ready to attend the philosophy and dialectic sessions.

Soon the foundation took the name Academia, and became the most famous philosophical school of the ancient world. Plato lived and taught there for 40 years, however the Platonic Academy continued to function via his successors ''Scholars'', for 400 years, producing a series of scientists and philosophers such as Aristotle, Xenocratis, Carneadis, and Cicero.  The very word Academia has since been used as the definition of a higher education school.

Videos related to the Plato’s Academy Park and its current utilization here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxJ3-8JQpnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOzcZkbTZbY

100% refund, if cancellation is requested up to 2 days before the start of the Service 

All full or partial cancellations should be made only by the Charged Customer by contacting Hellas Revival at bookings@hellasrevival.com.  If your cancellation/alternation is accepted, you will receive a confirmation email. If no email arrives within 24h, please contact us at bookings@hellasrevival.com

This workshop is an outdoor experience therefore it requires good weather. In case it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be notified at least 3 hours ahead and will be offered the option to choose between a different date, a similar workshop, or a full refund.

For more information regarding our Cancellation policy, please check our general Terms and Conditions https://hellasrevival.rezgo.com/terms