School of Philosophy & Economic Science

"The owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of the dusk." – Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

Today is Owl Awareness Day, when we celebrate these remarkable creatures. Across many cultures, the owl has long been associated with wisdom, insight and discernment.

In the Hindu tradition, the owl is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and abundance, reminding us that true prosperity is best guided by wisdom and discrimination.

In Ancient Greece, the owl was the companion of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, and became a symbol of knowledge, insight and learning throughout the Western world. Hegel's famous quotation refers to Minerva, the Roman equivalent of Athena, suggesting that wisdom often comes through reflection, that we come to understand life most clearly after taking time to contemplate our experiences.

Today marks Guru Purnima, a sacred festival observed across multiple traditions to honour the Guru (teacher) celebrated on the auspicious full moon (Purnima) in July.

Guru Purnima is a day dedicated to expressing gratitude to one's guru - a teacher, guide, or mentor who illuminates the path of knowledge, wisdom, and self-realisation.

For many years, our School has celebrated Guru Purnima as Teachers Day, paying tribute to our teachers whose guidance, dedication, and inspiration shape the lives of our students. On this special occasion, we honour and thank all our teachers for their invaluable contribution to our learning journey.

Our Latest YouTube Short Video:

Plato's Power of Dialogue: Understanding Opposing Views

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7kSFNt032mY

Plato's Power of Dialogue: Understanding Opposing Views #plato #philosophy #shorts David Horan gave a lecture in Sydney in December 2026. The Schoo...

Wishing all students a lovely summer break!

An enriching selection of interactive Philosophic presentations will be delivered in person at 11 Mandeville Place, London with most of these events also available to join via Zoom between 06 August and 10 September.

Informal receptions will follow at Mandeville Place for those attending in person, with light refreshments, wine, and soft drinks.

Online Lectures
Lectures begin at 7:00pm, via Zoom
£5 per lecture
£20 for all five lectures purchased together (excluding the concerts): use code SUMMER26O

In Person Events
Lectures begin at 7:00pm
£15 per event, including refreshments
£75 for all five lectures purchased together, plus the concert on 27 August at 7.00pm: use code SUMMER26 (excludes the concert on Saturday 05 September)

The Choral Contemplations (CD Launch) concert at Hinde Street Church on 05 September will begin at 3.00pm.

For full details of each event and to book: https://schoolofphilosophy.org/products/summer-evenings-2026?_pos=1&_sid=2a5ed0d12&_ss=r

Our phone lines are updating, please bear with us.

There should be minimal disruption but if for any reason you can’t get hold of us via phone, please try again later or email us at [email protected].

Meeting People More Talented Than You - how to respond.

Do you feel threatened by someone more intelligent or brighter than you?

Donald Lambie responds to a question from the audience during this meeting in Melbourne.

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfqJ_RnLGkY