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Upcoming Online Events

The Agora Foundation is a nonsectarian 501(c)3 non-profit endeavor, providing great books seminars and other educational opportunities to those who are busy with careers, families, and daily responsibilities yet are seeking to further their education. The goal of these offerings is to provide an understanding of the ideas that shape civilizations and to promote civil discourse on complicated subjects. The Agora Foundation has facilitated over 1,000 great books seminars and teacher trainings, covering a wide variety of topics including literature, philosophy, political science, theology, history, art, psychology, and more, featuring ancient and modern texts from around the world. In addition to seminars, since 2014 Agora has produced 31 panels, gatherings, and video interviews, promoting civil discourse on controversial and complicated subjects. Hundreds of these events can be freely viewed and listened to on this website.

 

Generously funded by The Ahmanson Foundation, Southern California Edison, The Shanbrom Family Foundation, the Ventura County Community Foundation, the WRG Foundation, the Constance Eaton and William Hart Fund, the Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Ojai, CIty of Ojai, and private donations, the Teachers for Lifelong Learning Program provides training to high school teachers in this engaging approach to learning, and The Ojai Chautauqua provides panels promoting civil discourse on controversial and complicated subjects. 

Upcoming Regular Events

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Onsite Free Community 
Seminar Series

The Glory of Art - Hans Hoffman

Tuesday, July 9

12:00-1:00PM PDT

What is Art? Why does it hold such a central position in humanity’s self-understanding? This semi-monthly series, taking place the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Ojai Library, will explore the work of artists and thinkers through history.

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June 25 Reading:

Hans Hoffman - The Search for the Real - several artworks will be shown

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Schedule:

12:00-1:00PM PDT

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Tutor:

Andy Gilman

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Location:

The Ojai Library

111 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai, California

Online Seminar Series

Epistemology of Spinoza

Thursday, July 11

12:00-1:30PM PDT

The Ethics by Spinoza, published posthumously in 1677, is perhaps the most ambitious attempt to apply the method of Euclid in philosophy. This series continues a broader series on epistemology. All are welcome. Please join us even if this will be your first seminar in the series. 

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July 11 Reading:

Ethics, Part V (pp. 201-223)

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Schedule:

12:00 - 1:30PM

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Tutor:

Carol Seferi

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Online Format:

Register to receive the link

Online Seminar Series

The Origins of Totalitarianism 
by Hannah Arendt

Saturday, July 13

12:00-2:00PM PDT

Written in 1951, the book strives to understand the causes and the mechanics of Nazism and Stalinism as the major totalitarian political movements of the 20th century. We invite you to join us as we explore this entire book, meeting about once per month. 

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July 13 Reading:

Chapter Twelve - Totalitarianism in Power (pages 389-459)

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Schedule:

12:00 - 2:00PM

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Tutor:

Andy Gilman

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Online Format:

Register to receive the link

Agora Foundation Interview with the Ojai Historic Preservation Commission
May 2024

 

At the end of May, 2024, Andy Gilman of the Agora Foundation interviewed Craig Walker, Gina McHatton, and Brian Aikens of the Ojai Historic Preservation Commission. The interview is split into two parts, this video being the first. The conversation ranged from the goals of the commission, the evolving process of choosing commissioners, historic designations and the general district areas, and some particular projects. Educational goals, efforts of communication, and some wonderful Ojai stories are also included. Soon part two will publish, which will include the efforts to achieve balance, the Mills Act, details on specific projects, and the principle of preservation with adaptive reuse. Historic Preservation Commission website - Click here

An Introduction to The Agora Foundation. What is liberal education? 

An Introduction to The Agora Foundation's Ojai Chautauqua Panels.

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