The Plato Parsha Project (under the Becoming Human Project) is a global project to read a portion (“parsha”) of Plato every week and create a global movement studying Plato together.
Escape the cave.
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About
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’ll guide the public and Becoming Human members through Plato’s full corpus every year with weekly audio, video, and written 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. Paying Substack subscribers and Becoming Human Project members can join me through weekly Zoom symposiums. Becoming Human Project Members will also receive invitations to private courses throughout the year, where I will go into more detail, and will receive an invitation to the an annual Platonic conference, PLATONICON (details below).
Who is involved in the project?
The project is hosting interviews with Plato scholars and scholars of the ancient world. Confirmed guests already include:
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
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
This is the year of Plato, and it will change your life.
I can testify, because Plato has revolutionized my life.
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. He 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!
There are two calendars for the reading schedule, one corresponding to the Gregorian calendar and one corresponding to the Jewish calendar, for those who want to follow along with the literal Torah portions (one can then read Moses and Plato together, just like in antiquity).
How can I support the Plato Project?
You can join the Becoming Human Project today (just $10/month) and receive over $200 worth of courses (Introduction to Plato series) and benefits, (like my paid Substack). Plus, you will gain access to all the live weekly Zoom meetings (3.30 - 5pm EST Sundays) and receive the invitation for the Autumn 2026 PLATONICON.
How do I join the Plato Parsha Project?
Everyone can access my weekly teachings through Becoming Human on Substack, YouTube, or my podcast.
How do I join the Plato Parsha Project + the Weekly Zoom?
To attend the weekly, live Zoom symposium, join the Becoming Human Project today ($10/month), which gives you access to the live Zoom meetings + my complete Plato series:
The World, the Soul, & the Gods: An Introduction to Philosophy ($25 value)
The Matrix of Your Mind, Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave”: An Introduction to Epistemology ($25 value)
Science, Sex, & Magic, Plato’s Symposium: An Introduction to Aesthetics ($25 value)
We Are Earth’s Children: A Philosophy of Food and Life’s Interdependence ($25 value)
Becoming Human: Origins (the 10-episode series that launched the project, $100 value)
Added to my paid Substack subscriber list ($84 value)
Access to all Plato Parsha Project weekly Zoom live events
Becoming Human Members & Platonicon 2026!
Around this time next year (autumn 2026), I’ll be hosting a three night long PLATONICON—an in-person conference and symposium to celebrate the completion of the Plato portions and the first full reading cycle!
Who will be there?
All members of the Becoming Human Project will receive an invitation, but spots will be limited, so you will need to r.s.v.p. with a deposit. The invitation will be sent out in the Spring of 2026.
Plato Project Leaders (individuals who are Becoming Human Members leading local or online community chapters) will receive a discounted rate on their Platonicon ticket.
Some of the Neo-Platonists and scholars who I interview over this Platonic year will also be present.
How can I become a Plato Project Leader today?
It’s easy!
Join the Becoming Human Project so you are an active member.
Organize a local or online chapter and receive free resources and guides to lead your philosophical community.
Use my website contact form to share your name, email, estimated group number, location (country/state or online). I’ll add you name and general group location to the Plato Project Leader list, and you’ll receive additional free resources to support your leadership.
This isn’t solitary reading, it’s a global symposium. Join in, gather your friends, and bring more love and wisdom to the world!
Plato Parsha
Project Leaders
Project leaders must be a Becoming Human Project member.
Members can choose to display their city, state, or country as their community location.
Alexandra Barylski
Online
Rev. Tim O’Leary
Miami
Mamta Mathur
Pennsylvania