The Great Philosophers

DAY 2 / SOCRATES AND THE SOPHISTS

Tutor: Steiris (Dr)

Our day starts with a visit to the Acropolis, a timeless symbol of the political strength and cultural radiance of the Athenian democracy. We shall spend the morning touring Acropolis’ sacred rock in the expert company of our NKUA Professor and immersing ourselves in the site’s changing architecture through the ages with the help of Augmented Reality (AR). Goddess Athenas’ statue in the Parthenon may be missing nowadays, but you shall still be able to see it in its intended grandeur through AR on the iPads we provide you with.

Lunch will be taken at a traditional Greek taverna in picturesque Plaka before we all head off to explore the ancient Greek Agora where Socrates and the Sophists argued on the human nature and the sociopolitical institutions. Don’t forget back at the time philosophy was so much more than a mere intellectual engagement; it referred to the art of living! The Agora was the common meeting place of Athenian citizens and more importantly the venue of their intense philosophical debates. You are in for a surprise: we shall attempt to genuinely recreate the atmosphere of 5th century Athens by engaging in a live debate on select issues! Pick your side and make your argument in the spiritual presence of some of the world’s greatest philosophers!

Next stop is Pnyx where we shall discuss Socrates’ trial, perhaps the single most discussed and analyzed trial in human history! We shall examine the accusations made against him and his defense, Socrates’ famous Apology, as well as the testimonies on his last hours in prison after his conviction.

We know that there will be a lot to discuss over dinner, so we have made sure that tonight’s Greek delicacies will keep the conversation going for as long as it is needed.

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 3 / PLATO’S ACADEMY

Tutors: Steiris (Dr) and Protopapadakis (Dr)

Our day is devoted to the ancient site of Plato’s Academy. We shall walk you through its history and existing ruins, all the while vividly introducing you to the key aspects of Platonism, the school of philosophy that became the cornerstone of Westerns civilization. We shall then attempt to engage you in a genuine philosophical dialogue, just like Plato and his fellow scholars did. Our topics for the day shall focus on ideas such as eros, the ideal republic and virtue.

Today’s lunch and dinner will be paying tribute to the famous Platonic symposiums; we shall be feasting on luscious dishes, tasting traditional Greek wines, and fiercely debating on love, beauty and right versus wrong.

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 4 / ARISTOTLE’S LYCEUM

Tutor: Protopapadakis (Dr)

How fortunate of you, having spent two days in the presence of Socrates and Plato, you get to spend the entire day today visit Aristotle’s Lyceum. Aristotle established his very own school in Athens upon his return from Macedonia having tutored the world’s greatest general, Alexander the Great! We shall introduce you to the basic concepts of Aristotelian philosophy including metaphysics, ontology, aesthetics, tragedy and many more.

All the while focusing on ethics and politics, we shall attempt to outline the Aristotelian virtuous life and trace the path to happiness. We shall also discuss Aristotle’s Politics based on his view of man as a social animal, as well as his Ethics that generated a long tradition in virtue ethics.

Lunch and dinner will be a treat for the heart and mind, be prepared to be amazed by the world-famous Mediterranean cuisine!

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 5 / STOICS VS THE EPICUREANS

Tutor: Protopapadakis (Dr)

We start our day by visiting the Stoa of Attalos at the foot of Acropolis’ sacred rock to meet the Stoics! Stoicism, namely the school of Stoic philosophy, focused on ethics in an attempt to achieve inner tranquility and pursue the sage, the wise man. It represents a practical guide on how to live well, something that can only be achieved when in harmony with nature. We shall attempt to introduce you to the Stoic way of living, all the while tracing the Stoics’ legacy to the present.

We shall enjoy our lunch in a picturesque little tavern in the heart of Plaka before we take a short bus ride to the ancient Garden of Epicure in Gerakas. Fearsome opponents of the Stoics, the Epicureans believed that a man’s ultimate achievement in life is the complete absence of pain and the enjoyment of basic pleasures, such as moderate food consumption or being in the company of good friends.

You will be definitely spending dinner in the company of good friends; however your food consumption will hardly remain at moderate levels at this hidden gem we have chosen for you tonight!

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 6 / PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

Tutor: Arabatzis (Dr)

Our first stop of the day will be at St. Fotini Church by Illisos River, where Plato’s dialogue Phaedrus allegedly took place. We shall revisit the dialogue’s key instances and focus on erotic love and the fate of the soul after death.

After a mouthwatering Greek lunch, we shall take an hour-long roadtrip across the Athenian riviera to the Temple of Poseidon - a truly mystical site offering 270 degrees of unobstructed view to the Aegean Sea. Avid Instagramers are guaranteed to appreciate the view! Along the way we shall have the chance to discuss how ancient philosophy influenced Christianity and religion, and debate on whether the beautiful or the sublime is the key concept in aesthetics!

On our way back to the hotel, we shall take dinner at a picturesque fish tavern by the sea overlooking the setting sun!

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 7 / ANCIENT THEATERS

Tutor: Arabatzis (Dr)

Today we shall be visiting not one, but two ancient Greek theaters favored by modern Greeks and visitors from all over the world! We shall start by visiting Herodion, the Roman theater at the foot of the Acropolis, where we will be discussing the relation between ancient Greek philosophy and Greek tragedy. We shall explore Plato’s concerns over the tragedians’ command of the expressive resources of language and over the emotive effect of poetry. We shall then fast forward to the present and discuss the role of modern mass and social media that use both the expressive resources of language and the emotive effect of mimetic arts in order to affect people. Meta-truth remains a key issue in our days and we shall attempt to scrutinize it with the aid of ancient Greek thought!

Our next stop shall be Ancient Epidaurus, only a couple of hours away from Athens. We will enjoy lunch at a fish tavern by the sea before we proceed to visit the archaeological museum of ancient Epidaurus.

On the occasion we shall continue our morning discussion following the Aristotelean perception of tragedy as a kind of imitation (mimesis) whose aim is the "catharsis" of the spectators.

Dinner shall be taken at the foot of the ancient theatre before we take our seats at its 2,200-year-old marble stalls for a rare treat - a subtitled authentic ancient Greek drama or comedy, amongst hundreds of fellow spectators gathered from all over the country.

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 8 / A DAY AT THE MUSEUM

Tutor: Steiris (Dr)

Having already spent seven days in Athens, it is time to relate ancient Greek philosophy to the history of Ancient Athens and Greece by visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and the world-famous Acropolis Museum built to honor the spirit and former grandeur of the Parthenon. You shall spend the morning being guided by our expert Professor through their halls and exhibits, and having appreciated their abundant kallos, you may perhaps then share the PanHellenic aspiration to repatriate the Parthenon marbles currently on display at the British Museum.

Our visit to Pnyx shall help recreate the experience of direct ancient Athenian democracy. We will engage in a genuine democratic debate at the exact spot where Athenians voted on public matters and the fate of the city! In the cradle of liberty and democracy, we shall have the opportunity to exchange views on current sociopolitical challenges and the future of our world. Pericles’ famous funeral oration will serve as the core text of our discussion. 

Lunch and dinner shall be enjoyed at picturesque taverns in the greater historical center of Athens.

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 9 / THE DECLINE OF ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY

Tutor: Arabatzis (Dr)

Today we shall spend the day discussing the decline of ancient Greek philosophy, i.e. Neoplatonism, and the rise of Byzantine philosophy, that marks the encounter of the ancient spirit with Christianity.  Our first stop is the School of Proclus under the Acropolis that was allegedly destroyed by Christians.

We then proceed to the Byzantine Museum in the heart of Athens to touch base on the encounter between ancient Greek and Christian philosophy. Arguably one of the most important transformations in Late Antiquity was the formation and evolution of the Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Rabbinic Judaism and, eventually, Islam. Our NKUA professors shall introduce you to ancient mysticism and its attractiveness to the late antiquity civilizations of the Mediterranean.

Lunch and dinner shall enhance your Greek experience as you will be treated to some of Greek cuisine’s most celebrated dishes!

 

 Breakfast     Lunch     Dinner

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DAY 10 / DEPARTURE

All good things must come to an end. After 9 days of philosophical and hopefully personal exploration, it is time to part our ways until the next time we meet again!

One thing is certain - your heart and mind will have been filled with new knowledge, stories, images, thoughts, sounds and flavors, and of course the abundant Greek kallos!

 

 Breakfast