ABOUT PHILOSOPHY IN THE AEGEAN

Founded in Spring 2005, Philosophy in the Aegean is an expedition to ancient sites in Aegean Turkey.

Trips to the ruins are augmented with talks and discussions of the Ancient philosophers and writers that once called these cities home. More than simply a field trip, Philosophy in the Aegean fosters the spirit of conviviality and inspiration in the lands that gave birth to philosophy. The ghosts of the minds that have captured the imagination of civilization itself still haunt these ruins, and we are happy to have the opportunity to walk there with them. 

The base for our 2009 journey will the town of Selcuk,Turkey, but some of our excursions will require accommodation in other Turkish towns near the sites. A full Itinerary can be found in the Links section.

PHILOSOPHY 490

The  expedition is now  part of Thompson Rivers University's Philosophy 490, a Three Credit Field School Course at TRU. You need not be enrolled at TRU or be enrolled in PHIL 490 in order to take part in the trip, however.

PHIL 490 is an introduction to the ideas of the ancient Greek philosophers that inhabited Asia Minor through intensive classroom study and a two week field trip to Aegean Turkey. The course spans the history of Greek philosophy from its earliest beginnings to the Hellenistic period. Topics include, but are not limited to, the Milesian philosophers in the 6^th Century BCE, Heraclitus in the 5^th, Aristotle in the 3^rd, Galen and Alexander in the Second Century CE. 

This Field School offers an in depth look at ancient Greek philosophy in Asia Minor.  Classes at TRU will be followed by lectures in ancient sites in Turkey in late May. In addition to knowledge of Greek philosophy, students will obtain knowledge of the ancient Aegean from cultural, geographical, architectural and religious points of view.