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OCTOBER 2026
INAUGURAL COURSE EPIC
VITAL PLATONISM
A 5-week Introduction to the Creatively Examined Life
Dr. Danny Layne
Four Weeks (October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, “Halloween Show & Tell” October 31st)
Saturdays, 10:30Am-12:30pm PDT
Online (Google Meeting)
Free!
This five week seminar explores the basics of Platonism, focusing on its relevance for a life well lived. While Plato’s dialogues are often read as exercises in rational dialectic, they are equally saturated with myth, symbol, and initiatory experiences pointing beyond discursive reason and toward theosis (becoming like a God - see Plato’s Theaetetus). Special attention will be given to themes of:
- The relationship between reason and revelation.
- The role of myth, allegory, and initiation as well as the metaphysics of the One, the Dyad, and the Intelligible hierarchy. as advanced by Neoplatonists.
- The embodied, erotic and imaginal dimensions of ascent.
- Feminine and maternal figures in Platonic mysticism (Diotima, Khôra).
You will:
- Deepen your relationship with the history of ideas.
- Strengthen your ability to question and correspondingly create meaning.
- Enrich your creative capacities with philosophical themes and ideas.
- Discover the value of living vitally.
Curious to learn more? Stay tuned for a video intro and full syllabus preview to come.
This flagship course is lead by Dr. Danielle A. Layne (Danny), the founder of Palinode. She is driven by a bold vision to fuse rigorous philosophical inquiry with cutting-edge creative practice. A self-styled rogue academic, Layne’s passion lies in the Platonic tradition and the history of philosophy, aiming to build a platform where ancient wisdom sparks fresh dialogue with contemporary culture and technology. Beyond developing Khora, she leads dynamic projects from documentary films and the upcoming Platonic Mysticism podcast to unconventional conferences like Vital Platonism in Delphi, Greece (Summer 2025). Each venture reflects her commitment to pioneering new paths for transformative intellectual growth. A dedicated mentor, Layne empowers students to forge their own creative philosophical journeys, pushing the boundaries of how philosophy is taught and lived in the modern world.