People who understand Plato say that the Florentines misunderstood him, and that their philosophy is most unsound. But in one respect at all events they used him rightly. Through him they recaptured for the world one of the secrets of ancient Greece - the secret of civilized conversation. The Middle Ages had separated serious discussion from daily life, confining it to the study and the lecture room and the hall of disputation. Florence, like Athens, summoned it into the open air, and bade it take its chance against birds and trees, evolve, if it could, from a dinner or a game of fives, yield, if it must, to a dance or to a song.
E M Forster: Gemistus Pletho
This is the idea behind our "philosophical walks". They aren't ambulatory lectures or structured discussions, simply walks during which philosophical discussion can take place due to the common interest of the walkers. Or not, if you'd rather just look at the scenery.
Have a look at our schedule of forthcoming walks below; arrangements for the next walk are posted about a week beforehand. If you want further information about any of the walks, phone me on 07904 286774 or email secretary@pfalondon.org.
Andrew Dodsworth
Date |
Walk |
Miles |
Station |
Journey |
| Sat 26 Jun |
A Midsummer Night's Walk |
15 |
London Bridge |
60 mins |
| Sat 10 Jul |
Witley to Haslemere |
10 |
Waterloo |
55 mins |
| Sat 24 Jul |
Berkhamsted to Hemel Hempstead |
8 |
Euston |
30 mins |
| Sat 7 Aug |
Whitchurch circular |
11 |
Waterloo |
60 mins |
| Sat 21 Aug |
Sawbridgeworth to Harlow Mill |
9 |
Liverpool St |
40 mins |
| Sat 4 Sep |
Battle circular |
10 |
Charing Cross |
80 mins |
| Sat 18 Sep |
Lingfield circular |
8½ |
Victoria |
45 mins |
| Sat 2 Oct |
Sandy to Biggleswade |
10 |
Kings Cross |
45 mins |
| Sat 16 Oct |
Godstone to Nutfield |
7½ |
London Bridge |
45 mins |
| Sat 30 Oct |
Fambridge to Woodham Ferrers |
8½ |
Liverpool St |
55 mins |
| Sat 13 Nov |
Christs Hospital to Billingshurst |
8 |
Victoria |
70 mins |
| Sat 20 Nov |
Berkhamsted Common by moonlight |
8 |
Euston |
30 mins |
| Sat 4 Dec |
Rickmansworth to Chalfont |
8½ |
Marylebone |
30 mins |
| Sat 18 Dec |
Leigh to Penshurst |
8 |
London Bridge |
60 mins |
| Sat 1 Jan |
Chobham Common |
7 |
Waterloo |
50 mins |
|