Event: Great Connections Weekend Seminar for Working and Retired Adults
Our Theme: Reason and Power
When: Thursday evening, October 1 to Sunday midday, October 4, 2015
Includes a special dinner and address by philosopher Tibor Machan on Saturday night.
Don’t miss out on our powerful weekend. We’ll:
- Delve deeply into “Types of Power” by Goldhammer and Shils to reveal the multiple variations of social power that influence our world.
- Experience the psychological power of art through our examination of sculpture and architecture.
- Bolster our understanding of the Constitution through our dialogue on Federalist 51, on the Separation of Powers.
And more! You will come away from our weekend, armed to understand and navigate social relationships, craft a better world for yourself through art, and fight against the erosion of our freedoms.
The weekend is coming up shortly – register soon! See all the detailed information below.
Would you like to experience the ideas, books, thinkers, and intellectual stimulation you may have missed out on when you went to college – and meet some of the most interesting people?
Well here’s your chance!
Join us to chew over some of the most intriguing works by the world’s great thinkers, and come to your own conclusions about them – for your own satisfaction, pleasure, and increased personal power. No tests, no assignments, no other pressures.
With our evidence and logic-based methodology, you will strengthen your first-hand judgment, your confidence in your own thinking, and your ability to collaborate with others – all great skills in work and life.
We’re offering a mix of challenging readings, provocative discussions, and entertaining and informative excursions to Chicago’s cultural attractions. We’ll examine works such as:
- The ancient Stoic, Epictetus, who managed to have power even though a slave.
- Machiavelli, on the social power of the Roman republic.
- Louis Sullivan, on the power of architecture.
- Ayn Rand, on conflicting views of ethical power.
We’ll discuss the power of art and architecture, and examine some remarkable examples while exploring the city of Chicago on a beautiful fall weekend.
We’ll watch and discuss selections from two famous films, aimed at influencing opinion – one by the Nazis, another by Americans.
You can see the entire schedule here. To get a flavor of what the fall seminar will be like, you can watch a video of our 2010 weekend seminar for adults here.
Meet the faculty
On Saturday night, we’ll have a gala dinner together and listen to philosopher, Tibor Machan, talk about his life from communist Hungary to fame as a thinker and staunch advocate of freedom.
After Dr. Machan was smuggled out of communist Hungary he immersed himself in American culture, focusing on political philosophy. Influenced by Ayn Rand, he helped create the Reason Foundation and forged a career as an independent scholar, influential professor, writer, and speaker. He will discuss his life as well as issues of timeless concern to us all, such as the importance of thinking objectively.
On Sunday, we’ll hear psychiatrist and research fellow at Columbia University, Raymond Raad, M.D., M.Ph., explain the research evidence for free will, and the power of self-awareness. Dr. Raad, himself, has attended several Great Connections seminars. Dr. Raad, himself, has attended several Great Connections seminars. He said:
“Every time I attend one, I gain deeper insight into an idea I thought I already knew well. These seminars have changed the way I read.”
I will be leading the program. You can read more about me here.
The instructors won’t simply deliver a lecture and depart but will be available for face-to-face discussions, both in and out of class. Furthermore, Dr. Machan and Dr. Raad will both join us as participants for our seminar discussions.
One caution: Because of the high level of personal and individual attention that the faculty will devote to each attendee, registration is strictly limited to 20.
Practical Accommodations
We’ll reside at an attractive downtown location, The Hotel Blake, surrounded by great restaurants and stunning sights. This stylish downtown hotel is set in a 19th-century beaux arts building in the Printers Row historic district, steps away from some of the city’s most magnificent attractions; Millennium Park, The Harold Washington Library, The Art Institute, The Board of Trade, Willis (Sears) Tower as well as some of the city’s best shopping, restaurants and entertainment.
In your room, you will discover complimentary internet access, free local phone calls with no access fees, LavAzza coffee makers, hairdryers, iron & ironing boards and complimentary water. There’s a casual coffee and juice bar downstairs. Our guest may also take advantage of our large spacious, well equipped complimentary fitness center and complimentary wireless internet in the lobby, and 24-hour business center.
We arranged for a special conference price of $189 per night for your room which was available until September 1st: call to check whether it is still available. Or book a room at one of the other many nearby facilities in Chicago’s dynamic city center.
At The Great Connections, you’ll benefit from the same distinctive learning method, absorbing curriculum, and top-notch faculty that has won rave reviews from the students who have participated in our “undergraduate” events every summer the past six years.
Stretch your mind
Experience an atmosphere of enjoyable collaboration resulting from our specially crafted, evidence-based discussion methodology, in which reason is the only authority. You’ll come away enlightened, with your powers of reasoning and first-hand judgment strengthened. And you’ll have forged “great connections” with the other fascinating people who will attend.
As a physicist from Stanford who has attended our programs several times said:
“Imagine you’re into yoga, but you do it by yourself – then you find this group where everyone is doing it! The high level of cognitive functioning, the intellectual stretching – that was really valuable to me. “
The program’s cost for the weekend is $475. Or, if you can’t take the time to join us for the entire weekend, attend our dinner on Saturday night and hear Dr. Machan. Dinner and the talk cost $90.
Unlock your hidden potential
Most people have vast potential they haven’t even begun to realize. Here’s an opportunity to expand your horizons and release the capabilities you didn’t even know you possessed!
Seize this opportunity to fulfill your intellectual curiosity, purely for the love of knowledge. You’ll stretch your mind and enrich your life.
Let’s face it: The world is complex and confusing. Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of anything. But this is precisely where the greatest thinkers of all time can help.
During our provocative seminar, you’ll learn the timeless, fundamental truths that help you make the world comprehensible. You’ll emerge with a better grasp of the meaning of current events and news headlines. You’ll build your confidence and be able to hold your own in any discussion.
Moreover, you’ll reap real-world rewards, both personal and professional. You’ll be equipped with tools for success, living well, and achieving your goals. You’ll sharpen your skills in reasoning, thinking, arguing, debating. You’ll make better decisions, increase your creativity, solve problems more rapidly and efficiently.
The “Great Connections” seminar is a unique “total immersion” experience and intellectual adventure packed into three days of intensive learning, interactive sessions, off-campus explorations, and rewarding camaraderie. Join us. (Event registration is expired.)
