The goal of this institution is to enable the individual to develop a mature philosophy of life in association with a diverse and stimulating community of others, each dedicated to understanding and appreciating their unique possibilities in the unfolding universal pattern.

The current president of PRS is Obadiah S. Harris, Ph.D. who, throughout his career, has combined his skills as a community educator and administrator with study of the world’s wisdom traditions. Since 1993, he has found a home for these experiences and abilities as President of the Philosophical Research Society. Dr. Harris received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Michigan as a Stewart Mott Foundation Fellow. His work in community education includes service as Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Community Education at New Mexico State University, and as Associate Professor and Director of the Regional Center for Community Education at Arizona State University. Dr. Harris’s study and practice of the great Eastern and Western traditions has helped shape and direct his life.

ONE WORD

At PRS (and UPR) we start with a single word: Philosophy.
This one word comes from the ancient Greeks for whom phileo meant “love” and sophia meant “wisdom.”

As elementary and apparent as it may seem, this one word, this “love of wisdom,” raises two profound questions: what is love, and what is wisdom? We are instantly confronted with the challenge of two great mysteries.

The Greeks often might have spoken in diverse ways about the meaning of philosophy: greedy for wisdom, lusting after wisdom, pursuing wisdom as the way of personal glory. But much more did they insist that “love” meant giving affectionate attention and care in an unselfconscious way to wisdom. That is the very cornerstone of PRS and UPR.

Wisdom is insight into the nature of things, a fundamental acquaintance with Reality. All of the great insights of humankind, which history has managed to preserve, are the priceless inheritance of every person. It is the clear goal of PRS and UPR to provide “lovers of wisdom” access to that treasure which is their birthright.

Thus one word reveals our purpose and shapes our method. From this understanding we carefully draw our principles. They guide the administration of our organization:

• Inclusiveness — We look to include wisdom from its every source and to make it accessible to all who value it.

• Advocacy — We are not partisan nor do we endorse any one particular tradition or person.

• Freedom — We consider the quiet urgings of each heart to be the proper personal guide in the process of self-discovery. Each person is urged freely to compare and reference their natural knowing with the finest expressions of humanity’s deepest insights. We expect this process to create resonance which best leads each person on his or her unique path of learning and discovery.

• Quality Resources — To the greatest extent possible, we strive to have all of our resources distinguished by carefully referenced scholarship supported by direct experience and field work. We seek to continually refine and update our offerings as discoveries come to light and errors are uncovered.

• Community — Stimulating and good spirited interaction reflect the fact that we are a community of discovery, not just isolated individuals. Ours is the path of ecumenism and a journey of shared meanings. We are part of a movement toward World Culture in which all wisdom traditions and the highest expressions of our spiritual heritage are honored. We yearn for a planetary citizenship in which social justice and compassion aim toward a transformation of humankind.

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NEW PDF e-Book

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Neoplatonism seems to have been one of Manly P. Hall’s favorite subjects down through the years, he spoke and wrote about it frequently during his long career. In the foreword to his book “Lectures on Ancient Philosophy,” Mr. Hall declared that Neoplatonism was the basis of his own personal philosophy. After years of study and reflection he had come to believe that the doctrines of Neoplatonism had descended to us in a purer form that any other philosophical system — a system that seemed more suitable to the active, extroverted Western cultural mindset. This e-book is based upon the five-part audio lecture series Doctrines of Neoplatonism, delivered by Manly Hall in 1983 to students at the Philosophical Research Society. Manly Hall believed Neoplatonism’s simple precepts could enable anyone to live a more philosophic life.

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PDF format e-books of popular titles by Manly P. Hall.

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Manly P. Hall’s

First published in 1928, this volume includes fifty-four stunning full-page color plates by noted artist J. Augustus Knapp, and two hundred black and white illustrations from rare occult works and manuscripts. To this day it remains unrivaled in its scope, synthesis and graphic beauty; a must for any serious student of mystical philosophy.

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Gnosticism, the Key to Esoteric Christianity

By Manly P. Hall

This work examines the relationship of Gnostic mysticism to the inner teachings of Plato, Valentinus, Basilden, Bardaisan, and others; the spiritual glory of ancient Alexandria; and the Gnostic essence of the Christian message. The early Church attacked Gnosticism vigorously and relentlessly, recognizing these mystical philosophers as being the most formidable adversaries to the temporal power of Christian theology. Illustrated with reproductions of Gnostic artifacts.

Reprinted for 2010

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