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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 1,650 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 39 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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Online Seminar Series

Finnegans Wake by James Joyce

Wednesday, September 2

12:30-2:00PM PDT

A story with no real beginning or end, the work has come to assume a preeminent place in English literature. Published in 1939, the book would take Joyce two decades to complete. Join us as we read this text a few pages at a time, every other Wednesday afternoon.

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September 2 Reading:

Book Three - Chapter Three of Finnegans Wake by Joyce (page 512, Line 1)

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Schedule:

12:30 - 2:00PM PDT

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Tutor:

Barry Rabe

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Location:

Online. Register to receive the link.

Online Seminar Series

Mahatma Gandhi - The Essential Writings

Saturday, September 5

12:00-2:00PM PDT

Gandhi (1869–1948) was a profound and original thinker as well as one of most influential figures in the twentieth century. His many writings describe challenges he faced, his religious views, his political will, and the evolution of his ideas. We invite you to join us as we read this text, portions at a time about one month apart.

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September 5 Reading:

II. Authentic Human Life and the Transformation of the Individual - (pages 39-65)

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Schedule:

12:00 - 2:00PM PDT

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Tutor:

Andy Gilman

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Location:

Online. Register to receive the link.

Online Seminar Series

The World and Will and Representation by Schopenhaur

Thursday, September 10

12:00-1:30PM PDT

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) argues that reality has two distinct sides. The "world as representation" is the phenomenal world of our experience, a mental construct shaped by space, time, and causality. Beneath this illusion lies the "world as will," the true, unified essence of everything. Join us as we meet generally every other Thursday.​

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Schedule:

12:00 - 1:30PM PDT

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Tutor:

Carol Seferi

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Location:

Online. Register to receive the link.

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

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

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