Imagine your soul as a musical instrument. In his Republic, Plato argues that a just life is not defined by power or conquest, but by harmony—tuning the distinct strings of reason, emotion, and desire like the notes of a lyre.

This talk explores how this ancient vision of 'inner harmony' offers a vital, radical resource for our modern world. We will look beyond the text as mere theory and discover it as a practical guide for self-transformation. By visiting Plato’s concept of the 'Inner City’, we will examine how cultivating internal peace fundamentally alters our outward behavior.

We will discuss how 'becoming a friend to oneself' is the necessary first step toward becoming a friend to others and, crucially, to the wider ecosystem. Join us to explore how ancient philosophers believed the art of tuning the soul can foster a new, non-oppressive relationship with the human and natural world

Professor Michael Griffin is Professor of Classics and Philosophy at the University of British Columbia. He holds a doctorate from the University of Oxford and specializes in the intellectual history of the later Roman Empire. An expert on the Neoplatonic tradition, Michael has published extensively on the reception of Plato and Aristotle, and edits the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series. His research investigates the psychological and ethical training required of ancient students, examining how they used philosophical exercises to shape their character. He is dedicated to recovering these resources to revitalize our understanding of ethics and community today.

In the Chair: Tim Addey

Venue & Admission

18 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3ED

Doors open at 6.10 pm, lecture begins at 6.30 pm.

£10 General Admission

FREE for Temenos Academy Members/Full-time students with ID card