Lecture: Forgotten Truths – Powerful Lessons for Today from Ancient Greek Philosophy

The 22nd Norfolk Cambridge Society Public Lecture will be the second of three NCS public lectures delivered by powerful women in the 2024/25 academic year, which we have designated “NCS FEMALE LEADERSHIP YEAR”. Initially, this lecture was to be delivered by Dr Gillian Tett, who is now unable to do so due to other commitments. We are therefore very grateful to Professor Catherine Rowett, former Member of the European Parliament, Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia and now Green Party councillor on Norfolk County Council, who has agreed at very short notice to deliver our 22nd lecture. Her subject will be “Forgotten Truths – Powerful Lessons for Today from Ancient Greek Philosophy”.

Some people may ask how can it be worthwhile to read texts from Ancient Greek philosophy (roughly the 6th century BC to the 6th Century AD)? Why bother with that? Surely they knew less than we do now, about how the world works? In this eye-opening lecture, Professor Rowett will show that nothing could be further from the truth. She will argue that, far from Alfred North Whitehead’s famous saying that the European philosophical tradition is just a series of footnotes to Plato, modern philosophy has forgotten everything that Plato knew. Instead, as we have become obsessed with the mistaken notion that we understand economics and how to achieve happiness, we have learned only how to destroy much that makes for a good society and
a healthy planet. Most importantly, she will address a selection of themes concerning property, belonging, social and planetary well-being, work, leisure, and rewards— to help us rethink assumptions that many people probably believe are not open to question.

Professor Rowett obtained her BA, MA and PhD from the University of Cambridge and has held research fellowships at both Cambridge and Oxford. She has also held university positions at Swansea, Liverpool and UEA. In 2019 she was elected to the European Parliament for the 2019-24 parliament, as the first ever Green Party MEP for the East of England, but this came to an early end in 2020 due to Brexit. In 2023 she was elected to Norfolk County Council as the Green Party councillor for West Depwade. She has written seven books and many articles and chapters across topics in ancient and modern philosophy and patristic theology.

Early bird discount ends 30th November 2024.

The price includes a glass of wine or a soft drink, served after the lecture when there will be an opportunity to mingle with other attendees and meet the speaker.

Please do not hesitate to forward this invitation to others you know. These are public lectures and all are welcome.

Please note that tickets can only be bought by adults. If you are a sixth former, please arrange for your parents or a teacher to buy the tickets on your behalf, as you must be accompanied by an adult at the lecture. If this is not possible for you, we can arrange for a Norwich School staff member attending the lecture to act in loco parentis. Please contact the event organiser if you need this to happen or if you have any other questions.