A Key to Unlocking Parmenides – One of Western Philosophy’s Most Mysterious Minds
This symposium’s topic:
This week's topic is Greek philosophy, specifically Parmenides, who may be the most mysterious thinker in all of Western philosophy. Every line of his poem has been debated. Some say he is the hardest philosopher to understand. In this symposium, we welcome Ryan Smith, who has just finished a book on Parmenides. His work tries to light a torch that drapes the fragments of Parmenides work in a new light. We'll dive deep into the pre-socratic thought, and use Ryan's novel perspective on Parmenides as a doorway into ancient greek philosophy.
How to participate
Symposiums are interactive by their nature, and so your participation has a direct impact on everyone’s experience. To help you make the most of this symposium, please abide and engage according the following guidelines:
Be present or be elsewhere: We are all here to learn, connect, and share with one another, and the more present you are the better that can be done.
Show respect to the speaker: The speaker has their own plan for the presentation, so be sure to raise your hand before questioning, so that the speaker can address your question within the flow of the presentation.
Phones off, phones away: Everyone’s biggest distraction is their smartphone, so do us all a favor and turn yours off and put it away. Scrolling your phone during the symposium is off limits.
Share the air: Be considerate of your peers, and make an extra effort to encourage participation.
Ask your question: If you’re curious about something, chances are someone is too. Do them and yourself a favor and ask your question.
About Aluma Symposium
Aluma Symposiums are where we step forward to share the very best of what we’ve been able to discover. Led by a single person or small group, every symposium is an interactive deep dive into a single fascinating topic guided by our hosts, helping participants rapidly plumb the depths of a new topic. Our goal is always the same: by the end of every symposium, participants should walk away being amongst the top 5% most knowledgeable about the subject.
Attendance at every symposium is carefully curated, so that every event brings together an interesting, interdisciplinary cast of characters united by their good hearts, desire to learn, and conviction to grapple with life’s biggest questions.
How to attend
Limited to 15 spots, hit RSVP as soon as possible and we'll let you know if you got in as soon as possible. Event lasts for 3 hours, doors open at 5pm and doors close and presentation starts at 6pm.
Note: No late entry permitted. If you have not arrived by 6pm, you won’t be allowed to enter.