Why ought we act in certain ways? What is intrinsically valuable in life?

We live in uniquely challenging times. Through no fault of our own, we find ourselves, philosophically speaking, in a fragmented, frightened and fractured world. There seems to be little coherence or harmony between diverse individuals and cultures. On the other hand, deep divisions – within ourselves, each other and the natural world we depend upon to survive – are apparent across the entire globe.

We at Manchester modern-day Monastery believe that the time has come to remember the wisdom of the ancients. To re-explore notions of who we are, what we’re doing here and why it matters.

We aim to begin a conversation that re-imagines human beings. That we, as a species, have infinitely more in common than we have been led to believe, not only with one another but with all other forms of life.

If this sounds like your kind of philosophy, read on.