SEMINAR WEEKEND
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AMERICAN INITIATE
Interlaken Inn, Lakeville, CT
Friday evening through Sunday, April 25-27, 2008
Click here for the schedule!
Treat yourself to a practical and inspirational seminar program this next spring at the Interlaken Inn, Lakeville, CT. You'll be surrounded by six to 21 other people who also wish to discover new insights about Benjamin Franklin and what we can learn from his experiences. Using a concise, lively and intriguing lecture/guide, participants will explore how we can learn from history to gain some wisdom in our lives.
Learn about yourself, others and the world we live in through a discussion of Franklin, the most philosophical of the "founding fathers". What kind of morality did he have, siring a son out of wedlock and believing that to get over a temptation, just give into it incessantly? Can we, or should we, copy this? What kind of religious belief did he have? Can we, or should we, follow his ideas and his maxims? What kind of political, economic and scientific wisdom did he have? Is there anything here from which we can benefit?
It will also be a great way to meet new and interesting people.
Moderated by Princeton University graduate, educator, and lecturer Andrew Flaxman, the goal is to reap a deeper understanding of your self to attain practical wisdom in your life. NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OR STUDYING IS REQUIRED. The course is priced at $339 per person (double occupancy), including tax and service charges. Single occupancy package is priced at $439 per person, including tax and service charges. These charges are for deluxe accommodations for two nights, together with a hearty New England breakfast and lunch each day plus dinner on Saturday; welcome reception course material and seminar.
Seminar will be based on HUM 203.
For more information on this illuminating weekend or for guest room reservations, call (800) 222-2909. For more information on Educate Yourself for Tomorrow®, log on to www.onlinehumanities.com.
The Interlaken Inn Resort & Conference Center offers 80 first-class guest rooms, full service conference and meeting facilities, the award-winning Morgan's Grill Restaurant serving Traditional fare and banquet facilities. The Interlaken has extensive resort, recreation and fitness facilities and is situated adjacent to a 9-hole golf course which is recognized as one of northwest Connecticut's most scenic and challenging.
HUM 203: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, AMERICAN INITIATE:
The end of June in 1787, found the Constitutional Convention, the meeting called to set the official course for the new nation, mired in disunity and indecision that threatened the whole project with failure. In one of the final public appearances of his life, Benjamin Franklin asked the delegates why they had not till then "once thought of humbly appealing to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understanding," and suggested daily prayers for the sessions. "The longer I live," he explained,
"The more convincing proofs I see of the Truth that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe, that, without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building no better than the Builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little, partial, local Interests, our Projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a Reproach and a Bye-word down to future Ages. And, what is worse, Mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate Instance, despair of establishing Government by human Wisdom, and leave it to Chance, War, and Conquest."
Benjamin Franklin was the most philosophical of the "founding fathers". This seminar will discuss his beliefs and his relationship to Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. Students will read the short lecture/guide and the introduction to the program.
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Suggested Courses
HUM 201: LEONARDO, THE TURNING POINT
HUM 204: THE BHAGAVAD GITA AND SELF-EDUCATION
HUM 209: TOWARD A NEW FORM OF CONSCIOUSNESS
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