Initiated in 1969 by Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day has been celebrated annually to coordinate action in response to global environmental concerns and to sound the alarm on the deteriorating condition of our planet.
In this online forum, we hope to show a different perspective to our Mother Earth, to examine our planet from the perspective of philosophy – the Love of Wisdom.
We want to show that Mother Earth needs our protection, not only for its essential contributions to humankind, but for its own magnificent and beautiful life. Above all we hope to learn from its wonders.
The New Acropolis International Organization, with its thousands of volunteers around the world, has been active since 1957 in the protection and cleaning of the environment, as well as in offering an education for values that places dignity and inner wealth above the material values which eventually lead to waste and pollution.
Science is showing us how trees communicate, and how they can feel, but what are they saying, and what can we learn from them? Forests hold an ancient wisdom of how to weather, how to collaborate and how to become strong and productive. Philosophers of all time have been inspired by Nature, drawing lessons from her sacred balance, and inspiration and guidance on how to grow and flourish. If Pythagoras is famous for being the first to be called philo-sopher for recognizing that Nature is Wise, while he was but a lover of wisdom, the new discoveries about the hidden life of trees, soils and forests will hopefully inspire at least a few philo-naturas.
Stephanie Greenish has been the director of Acropolis Boston for over 15 years. Her passion for practical philosophy stems from her love of nature and justice, and a deep conviction that the challenges we face today can be solved if we work together and act to be the change we wish to see in the world.
We see trees all the time, but do we really “see” them?
This presentation will talk about 7 things you can learn from a tree.
Gilad Sommer is the current director of the Chicago branch of New Acropolis and the founder of the Israeli Tristan institute of performing arts. His book about the Stoics, “Above All, Be Good” came out in 2019. Gilad believes in the power of philosophy to awaken souls, connect hearts, and build community.
We tend to view nature as something external to us. However, a more holistic approach suggests that nature is both within and without. Our attitude towards (outer) nature can teach us a lot about ourselves and how to reconcile with our inner nature.
Hanoch Agassi is a clinical psychologist. After working with in-patient children and adolescents for several years, he dedicates himself to private practice. Besides psychotherapy, he is now in the midst of graduate studies in mythology and is especially interested in how consciousness activates the dormant power of myth.