The Program 2008

Weekends
May | June | September | October | November

General format of the weekends:

Friday : arrival for evening dinner and introductions
Saturday: talks & discussion; lunch and tour of the archaeological excavations, Elea; further talks & discussions; free time; evening dinner; entertainment (live music, film or theatre)
Sunday : concluding talk and discussion, lunch and departures.

The catering menu consists of a variety of superb traditional Cilentan dishes, using local produce much of which is organic.

The encounters are in Ascea, which is very easy to reach, especially by train. If you arrive by train we offer a courtesy pick-up service from the station.

Weeks
May | June | September | October | November

General format of the weeks

The following is a representative week at Parmenideum but of course the theme changes according to the month chosen.

First day - Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Dinner of foods, wine and olive oil produced by our host family are served as the local Cilentan cuisine. Preliminary introductory talk on the philosophy and cosmogony of the ancients (pre-Socratics) including Thales, Pythagoras and Heraclitus.

Second Day - On Nature. Parmenides Poem addressing the fact of Existence
Lunch at the ancient settlement of Elea. Talk by Prof. Aagaard on Parmenides' Poem, Question and his philosophy. Evening talk further on Parmenides and also Zeno of Elea; the later Atomists Democritus and Lucretius, and their resolution of the conflicting philosophies of Parmenides and Heraclitus. Dinner and live musical entertainment in the evening. There will also be local attendance at the musical concert, an opportunity to meet the descendents of Parmenides.

Third day - Modern Cosmology as an approach to answering/understanding Parmenides
SP will give several (accessible) talks on Big Bang cosmology, quantum physics in relation to uncertainty and the relevance of these to the emergence of something from nothing, or the possibility that something has always existed. Lunch and evening meal with Prof Aagaard and SP. and film "Dogma". Opportunity to contribute.

Fourth Day - Free Idea Forum
Morning and lunch at the Temple at Paestum. Presentation of visitor "papers" and free idea forum. Open discussion. Evening meal, followed by traditional Cilentan musicians.

Fifth Day -
Independent. No formal activities planned,. Visitors can can take advantage of excursions by ferry or boat to Amalfi, Positano, Naples or Capri or continue to explore the Cilento or simply enjoy the local beaches. There are also horse riding facilities. Those wishing to continue debates and discussions may do so at any location of their choice (transport and prepared lunch will be provided).

Sixth Day - Independent
Independent till the evening when there will be a dinner with Prof. Aagaard-Mogensen and SP. Prize for the best reading of parmenides' Poem out loud. Live musical entertainment.

Seventh Day - Farewell
Breakfast and departures.