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.
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