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



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.
Online Seminar Series
Immanuel Kant - Perpetual Peace and Other Essays
Saturday, September 12
12:00-2:00PM PDT
This six-part series will explore Kant’s enduring reflections on peace, justice, human freedom, moral responsibility, and the possibilities of international cooperation in a divided world. Taking place about one month apart, these seminars are designed for both newcomers and experienced readers of philosophy, and will foster open dialogue, critical inquiry, and shared reflection.
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September 12 Reading:
What Is Enlightenment? (pages 43-48)
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Schedule:
12:00 - 2:00PM PDT
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Tutor:
Karl Haigler
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Location:
Online. Register to receive the link.
Online Seminar Series
Finnegans Wake by James Joyce
Wednesday, September 16
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 16 Reading:
Book Three - Chapter Three of Finnegans Wake by Joyce (page 516, Line 3)
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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.
An Introduction to The Agora Foundation. What is liberal education?
An Introduction to The Agora Foundation's Ojai Chautauqua Panels.

















