Venue: Ivy House, Warminster, Wiltshire, UK
Friday to Sunday 29 June-1st July, 2012

(For details of previous conferences click here)

The Platonic tradition has always embraced both reason and myth in its cultivation of wisdom – but what is their relationship? Are they in opposition or complementary? How should we understand Socrates’ views on Homer and his fellow poets as stated in the second and third books of the Republic, and Proclus’ response in his Scholia on that dialogue? As philosophers within our own time and culture, are we still able to balance the two approaches and take from each the insights available to those of ancient times? What kinds of reasoning and what kinds of myths contribute to our own cultivation of wisdom?

This conference invites papers on these and other related questions. The Prometheus Trust’s seventh annual conference seeks to build on previous ones, in which contributors from diverse backgrounds – professional and amateur – pooled their insights in pursuit of wisdom.

Keynote Speaker

We are delighted that Professor John F Finamore has agreed to be our keynote speaker. John is a professor of Classics at The University of Iowa, where he has taught since 1983 and was chair from 2002-2007.  He teaches courses in Greek and Roman Philosophy, Word Power, Greek, and Latin.  Professor Finamore is the author of Iamblichus and the Theory of the Vehicle of the Soul (1985),  Iamblichus' De Anima: Text, Translation, and Commentary (with J.M. Dillon, 2002) and co-editor (with R. Berchman) of both Plato Redivivus: History of Platonism (New Orleans, 2005) and Metaphysical Patterns in Platonism:  Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern Times (New Orleans, 2007), and he has written numerous articles on philosophy and literature.  He is editor of The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition and president of the U.S. section of the International Society for Neoplatonic Studies.  His research interests include ancient philosophy, the Platonic Tradition, and Latin poetry.  Professor Finamore holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Maryland, an M.A. in Philosophy from Tufts, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Classics from Rutgers.

Papers are invited from those interested in these areas for presentation at the seventh Prometheus Trust Conference to be held on 29 June-1st July 2012.  We hope that the conference will, as usual, attract speakers from both academic and non-academic backgrounds, who share a common love of wisdom.

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and should be with us at the latest by Friday, 30 March.  Acceptance of these will be confirmed as quickly as possible.

Papers should be around 2500-3000 words or 20 minutes' presentation (we usually allow 20 minutes for a question and answer session after each presentation).

Bookings should be received by us not later than Monday, 30 April.

Details of the Thomas Taylor lecture on Saturday evening will be posted here when the speaker is confirmed.

Fees and accommodation

The Conference Fee is £40

Comfortable accommodation is available at Ivy house:
Single room full board cost £130
Single Student rate £95

Booking forms can be downloaded here:

Word format: PT Conference 2012 - Booking Form
PDF format: PT Conference 2012 - Booking Form

Contact the conference secretary for further information.
Averil Addey, The Prometheus Trust, Eastview Cottage, 28 Petticoat Lane, Dilton Marsh, Westbury, Wilts, BA13 4DG, UK.

Email info@prometheustrust.co.uk

01373 825808 (or, from outside the UK 0044 1373 825808)