About the School of Practical Philosophy
Aim
Together with that there is the secondary purpose of seeking to live and work in such a way as to serve and enrich the society in which we live.
The School aims to help individuals lead a fuller, richer and more useful life and to evolve the spiritual aspect of their being in accordance with natural laws.
This aim is pursued primarily by offering courses in practical philosophy which are presented with a stimulating approach and on the principle of neither accepting nor rejecting what is presented, but verifying it through one’s own experience.
Students may continue their studies for as long as they wish. Some stay for a few terms and some for many years.
Associated Organizations
Through special projects the School of Practical Philosophy collectively works at achieving its secondary aim of seeking to work and live in such ways so as to serve and enrich the society and world in which we live.
St James Preparatory School
St James Preparatory is an independent, co-educational school which offers the international Cambridge Primary Curriculum to children in Grade 00 to Grade 7.
St James’s unique ethos is inspired by philosophy, the principles of which describe the true nature of the human being, the being’s ability to aspire to excellence, and the unity and truth in all things.
In line with our philosophy, the school is open to children of all faiths, and those of none. Our assemblies contain readings and prayers from a variety of western and eastern sources which emphasise the unifying principles common to all the great faiths and teachings of the world.
St James offers all parents an education that helps their children grow and develop their characters and ability to do good. While the primary interest is education for character, key outcomes include citizenship and leadership.
For further details about St James, kindly contact Mrs Page Jones via email. Private tours of the school can be also be arranged with Mrs Jones. We look forward to meeting you.
Jeppe Phakamisa Ubuntu
Upliftment and Fellowship in the Community
The School has also established the Jeppe Phakamisa Ubuntu (‘JPU’) community project. The JPU project is about upliftment and fellowship in the community, implemented through weekend activities for the children in the community.
In essence, through a variety of activities, the children are offered the possibility of taking the finer energy from the environment to use in their lives.
Through JPU the School of Practical Philosophy collectively works at achieving its secondary aim of seeking to work and live in such ways so as to serve and enrich the society and world in which we live.
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Other Studies in the School
Studies in practical philosophy can have a significant bearing on many other subjects. Students in the School have applied philosophy to more specialized fields including music, art, dance, language, education, ethics, economics and law and have found in their specialist subjects further opportunities to advance philosophic understanding.
Indeed it is possible to assert that all fields of human endeavour can be used to advance philosophic understanding and that philosophy has its application in all fields of human endeavour. The School works on this principle and encourages students to pursue their own interests with a philosophic perspective.
As a result more than forty books have been written by students in the School on a variety of subjects, as well as recorded music and lectures.
Below are some of the major areas of additional study in the school:
Sanskrita
Sanskrita is full of spiritual significance. It is measured, refined and ordered. The sounds of the language have a special power, purity, order and unity. The grammar reflects the laws of the creation and it has the power of conveying the truth fully. The study of Sanskrita allows for appreciation of wisdom at deeper levels.
The sheer beauty of the language and profound concepts stir the mind and heart to that which is pure and beautiful. The language has maintained its integrity over thousands of years. Its vast body of literature pays great attention to the inner life.
Economics
The School takes the view that the study and practice of economics has to be founded on principles of justice and equity and that economic injustices indicate failures to understand or observe basic principles of economics.
Economics is taught in the School as a human subject derived from observable principles of human nature and laws intrinsic to the natural world and universe and the human relationship with them.
All the major problems of contemporary economic life can be examined in this context with a view to offering practical policies and principles as the foundation of a more just and equitable economic system. Economics-with-justice can be studied on its own, but it is also an expression of practical philosophy applied to human society.
Non-Profit
The School is properly constituted through its Constitution, and is a registered public benefit, not for profit organisation. Each year, members of the School meet at an Annual General Meeting to elect five executive committee members who together with four branch chairpersons deal with the day-to-day management of the School’s funds and properties to ensure that the necessary facilities are available as needed for the provision of courses.
Funding
The School's primary source of funding is the fees paid by students attending courses. Fees are kept to the minimum necessary to provide for the facilities required to offer courses as widely as possible. In addition, the School depends a great deal on the generosity of students through gifts and bequests. Over the last fifty years in Gauteng, the School has acquired a number of properties which are all used for the provision of courses or the location of the children’s schools. The aim is to maintain and improve the properties as best possible to provide the most suitable surroundings for philosophical study. No member obtains an income from the School’s activities.