FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY

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1 FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY Last Saturday, 1 June, 2013, the first round of presentations and activities of the Association of Ancient Greek Philosophy σὺν Ἀθηνᾷ 1 was successfully completed in Kavala, Greece. It was a year rich in educational and recreational experiences which aimed at the revival of φιλοσοφεῖν [philosophizing] and promoting positive action in the local and greater community. The basic task of the Association was the Saturday meetings in the adults' and children's classes, as well as the ancient Greek class for adults. PHILOSOPHY MEETINGS EVERY SATURDAY In the adults' classes, with the president of the Association, classical scholar and linguist Katerina Chatzopoulou being the lecturer, an overview of the thinking of the ancient Greek philosophers was presented in a gradient, especially starting from the Socratic philosophers and onwards, up to the main currents of Hellenistic philosophy, with Stoicism being the center, but also its dialectical relationship with the Epicureans and Skeptics. The political thinking of the ancient Greeks, which starts as early as the seven sages, was laid out on the occasion of the Platonic Politeia [State] and the concept of justice therein, while at the same time excerpts from Aristotelian works were also reviewed. The review of the aforementioned texts became independent study after February of 2013 in the basic adult meetings, with the institution of a study group on Platonic and Aristotelian textbooks every other Saturday. The material presented is intended to act as a trigger for reflection and dialogue among participants and also to orient our thinking towards productive directions. Katerina Chatzopoulou- Tzimayiorgi, founding member and president of the Association, classical scholar, PhD in Linguistics, University of Chicago, lecturer of the adults' classes. 1 σὺν Ἀθηνᾷ [syn Athena]" comes from an ancient Greek expression, the equivalent of "God helps those who help themselves".

2 In the children's class, the lecturer, classical scholar and historian, and founding member of the Association, Eleni Chatzatoglou, presented material from the seven sages and the Pre-Socratic philosophers in order to familiarize children with the space and practice of ancient Greek philosophy, while offering at the same time a comprehensive knowledge of the history and affairs of the era. Rhetoric in the court rooms during the ancient times was taken up. Additionally, the children came in contact with busts and other material of archaeological nature, while they also performed experiments of ancient Greeks being supervised by the lecturer, making class more enjoyable. The courses of the first season were completed with a tour of the young philosophers in the city of Kavala, Greece, regarding the ancient and modern history. Eleni Chatzatoglou, classical scholar, historian, founding member, lecturer in the children's class Maria Tellia classical scholar, philosophy/pedagogy graduate, founding member, lecturer in the ancient Greek language courses for adults The ancient Greek class for adults, which was conducted jointly with the Association for the Internationalization of the Greek Language (Όμιλος για τη Διεθνοποίηση της Ελληνικής Γλώσσας - Ο.Δ.Ε.Γ.), of Kavala, Greece, was conducted by the classical scholar and founding member of the Association, as well as member of the board of directors of the Association for the Internationalization of the Greek Language, Maria Tellia. In a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere these classes provide an opportunity for adults to cultivate the knowledge of the ancient Greek language in a systematic way. Ancient Greek is the main tool for approaching and understanding philosophical texts straight from the original, which even if not necessary in order to understand the thinking process of the philosophers, it is, however, useful and highly desirable. The team demonstrated great enthusiasm and studiousness. PRESENTATIONS IN SCHOOLS The activities of the Association were enriched with presentations to schools, both in Kavala (4 th Elementary School of Kavala, 5 th General-direction Senior High School of Kavala) and in Thessaloniki (12 th High School of Thessaloniki), which were realized by members of the Association "syn Athena", after invitation. The presentations in schools are aimed at further cultivating civil ethics in children and young adults, as well as the orientation towards investigation and research, through the presentation of a significant part of the local culture, of the ancient Greek philosophy, in a healthy and temperate way. 2

3 GUEST SPEAKERS The activities of the Association were supplemented by a series of speeches from guests, fellow scientists and distinguished researchers in the field of philosophy and the Greek intellect in general. 16 December 2012 On the subject of suicide and its timely handling spoke: the psychologists, Maria Banani, MSc in Social and Clinical Psychology, of Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, and Eleni Fotou, PhD Student in Forensic Psychology, of the Democritian University of Thrace, and a member of the Association. The theses of the ancient philosophers were presented by the classical scholar and treasurer of the Association Dimitris Pytharas, in the cafeteria "Old Library". [from left to right] Dimitris Pytharas, classical scholar, founding member and treasurer of the Association, Maria Banani, MSc in Social and Clinical Psychology, of Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, Eleni Fotou, PhD Student in Forensic Psychology, of the Democritian University of Thrace. 20 March 2013 The historian-writer Sarandos I. Karyakos spoke about the contribution of the ancient Greek philosophy to world civilization in the event hall of the New Wing of the Archaeological Museum of Kavala. Dearest Mr. Karyakos presented an impressive and well-documented insight into the relationship of ancient Greek φιλοσοφεῖν with science and universal civilization and spoke with praise about the efforts of our Association. [from left to right] Katerina Chatzopoulou, president of our Association, Sarandos I. Karyakos, historian-author, Eleni Chatzatoglou, classical scholar, lecturer in the children's class. In the event hall of the New Wing of the Archaeological Museum of Kavala. 3

4 Speech by Sarandos I. Karyakos with the subject Hellenic logos: the miracle of the Greeks", in the event hall of the Archaeological Museum of Kavala. 28 May 2013 On the nature of democracy in ancient Greece, whose determining trait was the draws and not the ballot, according to testimony from Aristotle as well, lectured Doctor of Philosophy and author Yorgos N. Economou, disciple and follower of the political thought of Cornelios Castoriadis, the philosopher of autonomy and self-institution in the event hall of the hotel "Esperia" in Kavala. Speech by Yorgos N. Economou, "The concept of democracy by Aristotle" [left photograph], from right to left: Yorgos N. Economou, PhD in Philosophy and author, Katerina Chatzopoulou, the president of our Association, Dimitris Pytharas, classical scholar and treasurer of the Association. [right photograph] members and friends of the Association in the event hall of the hotel "Esperia" in Kavala. 4

5 EDUCATIONAL TRIP 24 May 2013 The Association had a trip to Thessaloniki and visited the Montessori School "ZAFRANA" in Thessaloniki, where Mrs. Zafrana herself, Professor Emeritus of the School of Education of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki and her collaborators, made a presentation of the enterprise and its results. In this presentation, the participants witnessed the feasibility of the basic thesis of the philosophical schools of ancient Greece, that virtue, in the broader sense of the word, is teachable, because it appears that everyone has at least five times more abilities, mental and social, which this method highlights through playing and nursing the natural curiosity of the child during the appropriate age groups. A visit and tour of the Archaeological Farm in Oreokastro followed. This farm was founded in September 2012 and it itemizes everyday life and lifestyle in ancient times. [left photograph] Mrs. Maria Zafrana, Professor Emeritus of the School of Education of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, surrounded by the members and friends of the Association of Ancient Greek Philosophy. [right photograph] Mrs. Maria Zafrana and Mrs. Marianna Mavridou, educator of the Montessori School, surrounded by members and friends of the Association. THANKS We would like to extend our thanks to all contributors and participants who in various ways supported this initiative. We would also like to thank the Municipality of Kavala for allocating a space in the "Pythagoras" edifice for our weekly meetings and for the help flow in many other occasions. The actions of the Association will continue from September onwards and they are addressed to all residents of Kavala, while our invitation remains open to classical scholars, other scientists and what not, who wish to make offerings to the city and become part of this voluntary activity. by the board of directors of the Association of Ancient Greek Philosophy 5