Showing 112 articles
Simone Weil: Attention, Compassion and the Power of Force
Author: Julian PoweJuly 31, 2026
“A philosopher and interested in humanity” were among Simone Weil’s last words, responding to her doctor’s inquiry about who she was and what she did for a living. She had been laid low in Ashford sanatorium in England by her exhausting efforts in service of de Gaulle’s Free French, her tuberculosis, her history of poor [...]
The Samurai and the Spirit of Bushido
Author: Julian ScottJuly 31, 2026
I was inspired to write this article after visiting an exhibition on the samurai at the British Museum. Paradoxically for an exhibition about warriors, and much to my surprise, I emerged with a strong feeling of joyful peace and serenity, effects which I attribute to the sheer beauty of some of the paintings and artefacts [...]
Have We Reached the End of History?
Author: Istvan OrbanJuly 23, 2026
In 1992, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the political philosopher Francis Fukuyama wrote a highly influential book, The End of History and The Last Man. He claimed that “what we may be witnessing is not just the end of the Cold War, or the passing of a particular period of postwar history, but [...]
Emperor Julian: Apostate or Hero of Philosophy? – Part 2
Author: Stjepan PalajsaJuly 23, 2026
In Part 1 we saw the biography of this extraordinary but forgotten figure of Roman history. This article concludes with an examination of Julian’s philosophical ideas and inner life. A soul incapable of feeling fear Julian followed the great philosophical ideas under the guidance of his teachers, with a particular focus on ethical ideas. These [...]
Emperor Julian: Apostate or Hero of Philosophy? – Part 1
Author: Stjepan PalajsaJuly 23, 2026
The dust of oblivion has erased the memory of one of the greatest figures in European history, whose ideas and work left a profound mark on the world: the Roman Emperor Julian, named ‘the Apostate’ by the Christians to whom his memory was anathema. By the 4th century AD, Rome had almost completely exhausted its [...]
The Comacine Masters
Author: Agostino DominiciMarch 28, 2026
I have always been fascinated by the tradition of sacred masonry, which throughout the ages has left us many remarkable and inspiring buildings. I am thinking especially of those medieval builders who assumed the role of architect-priests, carrying on an ancient tradition that goes back to Imhotep himself (circa 2700 BCE) – the famous priest, [...]
The ‘Houses of Life’ – the Wisdom and Mystery Schools in Ancient Egypt
Author: Sabine LeitnerMarch 28, 2026
I will never forget a very well-educated friend of mine who once said, with a hint of contempt in his voice, that the Egyptians didn’t have philosophy. He claimed they weren’t worth studying, and this is a view I have heard more than once – that Western civilization was born entirely of Greek and Roman [...]
Precision Engineering in Predynastic Egypt
Author: Florimond KrinsFebruary 28, 2026
Ancient Egypt remains a place of wonder and mystery, from the beautiful temple complexes to the impressive pyramids that have survived the test of time. One could spend years studying the great pyramids of the Giza plateau and observe the amazing achievements of the ancient Egyptians. But in this article, I want to focus on [...]
Graffiti – A not so Modern Form of Self-Expression
Author: Istvan OrbanJanuary 15, 2026
Today, graffiti is an integral part of life in big cities. It is regarded as vandalism by some, while others think of it as a form of street art, a visual expression. Famous graffiti such as the works of Banksy that go viral quickly and can attract many viewers and visitors, often have deeper meanings, [...]
The Etruscans: Guardians of the Sacred
Author: Agostino DominiciJanuary 15, 2026
The origins of the Etruscans – along with their sacred knowledge, language, and traditions – remain, in part, veiled in mystery. Even in antiquity, people wondered where this enigmatic civilization came from. Herodotus, for example, claimed that during a time of severe famine, the people of ancient Lydia migrated to the fertile lands of the [...]
Ulugh Beg of Samarkand
Author: Nataliya PetlevychDecember 30, 2025
In the heart of Central Asia where fertile valleys meet ancient arteries of the Silk Road, lies Samarkand, an enchanting city steeped in legend, adorned with splendid architecture, storied past, vibrant bazaars and serene moments of contemplation beneath a starlit sky. Among its many historical chapters, one shines with particular brilliance – a luminous revival [...]
Sir Philip Sidney: Neoplatonist, Cabalist, Hermeticist and Patron of Giordano Bruno
Author: Julian ScottDecember 30, 2025
Everyone is probably familiar with the image of the glittering court of Elizabeth I, the ‘Virgin Queen’ surrounded by glamorous courtiers like Sir Walter Raleigh (founder of Virginia in America, who brought back the potato and tobacco to England) and Sir Francis Drake, whom the Spanish call ‘El Drake, the Pirate’. One of the most [...]