Do you miss having deep conversations about the most important topics in humanity?
We live in the culture of sarcasm and easy tweet, and we're drowning between data and information storms. Would you like to know what the most important thinkers in history have thought about the human condition, culture, and society? If you're exhausted from all the current controversy and looking for a refuge where you can reconnect with the titans of thought, this is the place for you.
For whom are these seminars?
These seminars are designed for people who already work or whose commitments don't leave much time to spare. This program is aimed at those who want to read and approach the great works surrounded by people with similar interests, but with the help of a professor well-versed in the subject matter. No prior studies or special training are required. All you need is an interest in the topic – the rest is taken care of by the professor.
Know more about this program
Welcome to one After work Virtual What will be worth it. We meet for a weekly session, approximately an hour or as long as the book reading takes. Normally, you'll have to read one or two chapters per week per session. However, we're aware that there are weeks and personal schedules that might make it complicated; no problem. You can attend the class just to listen.
During the session, the professor will have a masterful intervention and then an open dialogue with the participants will take place. The sessions are recorded, in case any student misses a session. Each seminar is centered around a different book, with limited seating to ensure a manageable atmosphere and enable genuine conversations to occur.
Prepare to challenge your preconceived notions, enrich your knowledge and nourish your soul with the beauty and depth of Western civilization's major works.
Why do we associate Machiavelli with concepts like cunning, virtue or fortune? Why his work The Prince has it influenced so much? and the Memories of GuicciardiniWhy haven't they stopped being re-published and read as a guide for politicians? It's often repeated that modern politics was born in Renaissance Florence. In this seminar, we'll try to find out why, through the reading of two great thinkers from the time.
In a context where consensus in liberal democracies seemed to be moving towards the central planning of people's lives, Hayek rebelled against his own colleagues in the UK: why were they sharing the assumptions of Nazism and communism in order to fight them? How could it be that no one noticed the contradiction? In this seminar, we will attempt to reflect on the positive principles that configure our societies: freedom, individuality, spontaneous cooperation.
It might be a good idea to start learning physics by reading an introductory textbook on physics.. And for learning economics, wouldn't it be a good idea to do exactly the same thing? The answer to this question is: "it depends." It depends on how much you really want to ask yourself complicated questions and try to approximate not one but several answers. Introductory textbooks calm the reader's intellectual curiosity by providing almost always straightforward answers to problems that are often too complex. As Henry L. Mencken would say, "for every complex problem there is a simple, clear, and wrong solution." Do you want a good answer or do you want a good question? That's the key question of this seminar. The reading of The Wealth of Nationswritten by Adam Smith in 1776, is probably the best starting point for a journey and a poor place to end it. Smith is known, with some reason, as the first economist in history. But the story of economics doesn't end with Smith.
What our former students say
Exploring "La República" by Plato was a revelatory experience for me. The expert guidance of Professor Will Ogilvie and the course format allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the work, something I wouldn't have achieved on my own. Additionally, the welcoming atmosphere and dynamic that encouraged free expression of opinions and ideas contributed to more comprehensive learning and the development of critical thinking.
Enrique Lominchar Galaso Spain
I participated in the project Conversaciones sobre Grandes Libros with Will. Thanks to his great knowledge and during ten instructive sessions, he guided us through Plato's The Republic, helping us unravel its main teachings.
The initial chat with the keys to each chapter and their interpretation is very inspiring, and the subsequent conversation with other classmates opens your eyes to many different viewpoints that make you reflect and enrich what you take away from the reading.
Without a doubt, with Will there wouldn't have been able to complete the journey and get as much juice out of the book. I highly recommend his program 100% and, of course, I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Alberto Campillo Bernal Spain
Studying philosophy shouldn't be complicated at all and this course has proven it to me! With "The Republic" by Plato, one of the most influential and significant works, I've been able to reflect on important ideas related to politics, justice, ethics, women, and other social issues that are still alive and shaping our lives and communities.
This course has provided me with a huge amount of knowledge and methodologies for tackling texts that we sometimes consider complex. Despite this, in a participatory way, we've managed to dialogue with the author, the professor, among students, and draw contextualized conclusions and new questions about what we're doing as modern societies and where we're headed. The experience is highly recommended! I'm very grateful to Professor Will Ogilvie for facilitating these valuable learning spaces!
Lucía Muñoz Argueta Guatemala
.h educational
model:
The life of society will be part of your experience in .h
You will enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities such as in-person visits, reading groups and film forums, among others, to enrich your university experience. We believe that social interaction outside of academic activity is essential for establishing connections, having fun, and growing as people. Social life is a fundamental part of a full and successful university life and .h You will be able to be part of new experiences with students and teachers.
Our methodology:
In .hYou will be constantly immersed in an active and collaborative learning digital ecosystem. Rather than just an observer, you will be part of a dynamic learning community with members from all over the world.