Welcome to the 2023 Study Circle The IWC Study Circle meets in person and via Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 7:30–9:00 pm. We meet in person in the Concord Hall Seminar Room, 1407 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara, CA. To receive a link to attend via Zoom please email donna@worldculture.org Our discussion cover a wide diversity of topics and themes over the year reflected in the Institute's Theme for the Year and its Declaration of Interdependence MEETINGS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO ALL Participants will received a short article or essay a few days before each meeting. These resources will also be posted on this webpage (below) before each meeting.  The focus on our discussions is always how to apply what we learn in our lives for the benefit of the whole. It would benefit the discussion if everyone could look at the material beforehand. There will be a brief introduction to the topic at the beginning of each meeting and the rest of the time will be open for discussion. Our emphasis in the Study Circle is on learning how best to apply what we learn in our daily lives in a way that uplifts the whole. We very much look forward to your participation.    FEBRUARY 2023 PATHWAYS TO LEARNING – A GLOBAL PERSEPCTIVE In February, we will be lookinig at and discussing many perspectives and methods of learning around the globe. FEBRUARY 7, 2023 Confucian / Taoist Patterns of Learning A presentation of ideas on Confucian and Taoist ideas on learning will be an appropriate follow-up to the IWC Forum on "Knowledge and Knowing in Neo-Confucianism" scheduled for this coming Saturday, February 4th, in Crosbie Hall. Click here for more information on the forum. FEBRUARY 14, 2023 Montessori Methods Around the World A Montessori teacher who has taught in Africa, the United States, and other locations around the world will update us on Montessori methods used today. FEBRUARY 21, 2023 More to follow . . . FEBRUARY 28, 2023 More to follow . . . JANUARY 2023 EPICTETUS AND THE ART OF LIVING "For Epictetus, a happy life and a virtuous life are synonymous. Happiness and personal fulfillment are the natural consequences of doing the right thing . . . Part of his genius is his emphasis on moral progress over seeking moral perfection." – Sharon Lebell THE JANUARY STUDY CIRCLE WILL BE DEDICATED TO THE STUDY OF THE WORK OF THE STOIC PHILOSOPHER, EPICTETUS, THE TEACHER OF THE BETTER-KNOWN MARCUS AURELIUS. WE WILL BE USING SHARON LEBELL'S RENDERING OF THE WORK OF EPICTETUS – "THE ART OF LIVING: THE CLASSICAL MANUAL ON VIRTUE, HAPPINESS, AND EFFECTIVENESS" (FORMERLY PUBLISHED AS "A MANUAL FOR LIVING"). LEBELL IS ABLE TO TRANSLATE THE THOUGHT OF EPICTETUS INTO VERY ACCESSIBLE LANGUAGE WHILE MAINTAINING THE ORIGINAL MEANING. IN THE CRISIS ORIENTED, CONFUSING, VIOLENT AND SEEMINGLY UNJUST WORLD WE EXPERIENCE TODAY, EPICTETUS OFFERS US THE SOOTHING INFLUENCE OF A PHILOSOPHY APPLICABLE TO EVERY PERSON OF WHATEVER STATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE OR ERA. Click here for a printer-friendly schedule of topics JANUARY 3, 2023 In the meeting, we will watch a video: "Living the Best Possible Life" with Sharon Lebel Reading: The Art of Living, Prologue vii - xiii and pp. 2 and 3 Click here for reading JANUARY 10, 2023 Reading: The Art of Living, "Harmonize Your Own Actions With the Way Life Is", pp. 4 - 31 Click here for reading JANUARY 17, 2023 Reading: The Art of Living, "Self-Mastery is Our True Aim", pp. 32 - 57 Click here for reading JANUARY 24, 2023 Reading: The Art of Living, "Conduct Yourself with Dignity", pp. 58 - 79 Click here for reading JANUARY 31, 2023 Reading: Education and the Heart of Social Change by Robert W. Roeser Click here for reading