Plato Parsha Project
with Samuel Loncar, PhD. (Yale University)
Starting when I was 14, I read a number of Plato’s dialogues, which set me on the path of philosophy as a way of life. Then, after years of studying Søren Kierkegaard, who was a great student and scholar of Plato, I was led to begin studying and teaching Plato seriously in my twenties.
Plato helped me heal from my illness, and is at the center of my scholarly work and my book, which embodies the Becoming Human Project for an academic audience. So I am bringing over two decades of my personal reading, teaching, and learning experience to you, and I’ll also be interviewing great scholars of Plato and Platonism and inviting guest teachers from various traditions to discuss Plato with me and all of you.
Beginning this year (many traditions begin the year in Autumn), we will read through Plato’s entire corpus, the most influential body of writings by a single author in the entire world. Yes, that’s right, the Platonic corpus is something 99.9% of all people, including philosophy Ph.D.s, have not had the chance to study in detail or in depth, guided by a teacher. Yet it represents a coherent body of writings on every important topic one can imagine.
Beginning this week (October 3, 2025) , I will guide the public and Becoming Human members through Plato’s full corpus every year with weekly audio and video teachings. The readings are designed and modeled on the way in which, in the Jewish tradition, you read through the Torah (the five Books of Moses) every year, divided into the weekly Torah portion, or parsha. We will have, in comparison, our weekly Plato portions. This comes to 30- 50 pages a week, but you don’t have to do the readings or always finish them.
You can listen and learn with me as I teach publicly on the portions through my Substack, podcast, and YouTube. Becoming Human Project members can join me through weekly live-Zoom symposiums with Q&A and group discussion, or they can join the on-demand lecture-only access—same teaching, anytime and anywhere. Members who attend the live weekly Plato discussions also receive an invitation to the annual Platonic conference, PLATONICON. Time and location, TBD, but estimated for fall 2026.
ESCAPE THE CAVE
Who is Involved in the Project?
Foundation for Platonic Studies, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the study and application of the wisdom found in the works of Plato and the broader Platonic tradition.
Gregory Shaw, Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College and the author of Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus and Hellenic Tantra: The Theurgic Platonism of Iamblichus | Watch the interview.
Armand D’Angour, Professor of Classical Languages and Literature and Fellow and Tutor in Classics, Jesus College, Oxford University and the author of Socrates in Love: The Making of a Philosopher and How to Talk About Love: Plato’s Symposium | Interview forthcoming
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Public Lecture Series
Check out the first episode, which links to the full YouTube playlist.
Join the Plato Project!
The Plato Parsha Project is a global project to read a portion (parsha) of Plato every week and create a global movement studying Plato together.
All Becoming Human Annual Members can attend weekly live virtual classes (3.30 - 5.30pm ET) and participate in member-only Q&A and discussions. Live classes also include guest-lectures from distinguished scholars and thinkers.
If you want on-demand access to the Becoming Human member-only, live-recorded audio lectures, scroll down for your Plato membership options.
Join a growing community of individuals from all walks of life dedicated to pursuing the love of wisdom and receive access on-demand audio courses, live virtual weekly classes, and member-only content sent via Substack.
Access the Teaching
On-Demand Audio
Anytime. Anywhere. On your schedule.
On-demand access to Becoming Human Project member-only audio from the live weekly Plato Project lecture, Q&A, and discussion. Lecture only.
