Socrates Society Seminars
"Wisdom begins in wonder"-- Socrates
The Socrates Society: A Forum for Dynamic Leaders
Socrates Society seminars are designed as a forum for emerging leaders to explore leadership challenges. Discussions are built around advance readings of classical and contemporary works, and led by dynamic moderators who encourage participants to share their interpretations. The weekend sessions are not lectures, but rather exercises in the Socratic method: the primary benefits derive from diverse, thoughtful and active contributions by Socrates participants.
Gary and Laura Lauder, venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, founded the Socrates program in 1996, and continue to collaborate with the Aspen Institute. In the past several years, hundreds of young leaders have come together for roundtable discussions on issues ranging from the "Dilemmas of the Digital Age" to "Entrepreneurship in a New Century" to "Leadership and Moral Decision-Making."
Seminar discussions are held each morning. Afternoons are free for participants to contemplate the day's discussions in the exquisite natural surroundings, with activities such as skiing in the winter, and river rafting and fly fishing in the summer. Participant dinners offer further opportunities to get to know each other.
A Vision For the Socrates Society
The Socrates Society has recently been formalized as an Aspen Institute initiative. With this new role comes great enthusiasm for developing more programming, broadening the reach of these seminars, and creating an endowment to ensure the participation of scholars both domestically and internationally. Read on for more insights to the goals and objectives of the Socrates Society.
Six Seminars for Summer 2004
July 2 - 5, 2004 in Aspen, Colorado: Discussions span the culture of Islam, Civil Liberties, the Media, and The Future and raise questions about America's role in the World
The Socrates Society will host up to 120 young leaders across six provocative, timely, and engaging seminar programs this July:
I. "Civil Liberties in an Age of Terror"
How to balance liberty and security in the shadow of 9/11 and amidst a growing fear of terrorism at home and abroad, moderated by legal scholar Jeff Rosen.
II. "Future Scenarios: Tunneling Through the Uncertainty Barrier"
A examination of the strengths and weakness of techniques for inventing scenarios of possible futures, and evaluating their implications, moderated by Neil Jacobstein.
III. Globalization and the U.S. Role in the World: From Sept. 11 to Iraq to the Outsourcing Debate"
Moderated by Andrew Shapiro, participants will explore the complexities of globalization through the lenses of culture, politics, and economics.
IV. "Islam's Civil War of Ideas"
A look at the political and social ideas in the world of Islam over the past century, moderated by Ambassador Husain Haqqani, noted journalist from Pakistan and advisor to Prime Ministers.
V. "News, Politics, and Entertainment: Media and the Public Interest" {This seminar is now FULL; we will accept names on a wait list only. Please contact Kitty Boone directly: 970-544-7926, or by email: kitty@aspeninst.org }
A discussion of the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of media in society today, moderated by James Steyer and Marty Kaplan
VI. " Understanding Democracy: Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary Views"
Moderated by Bill Cathers, an in-depth look at the meaning and application of "democracy" as discussed through the ages and into 21st century society.
Approximately 150 pages of readings will be assigned for each seminar; these will be sent to registered participants at the beginning of June.
Families are welcome as we plan a weekend complete with thoughtful dialogue, cultural entertainment, and outdoor activity. Visit 2004 Socrates Seminars below for seminar overviews. Syllabi will be posted in December.
For complete seminar synopses, click here: 2004 Socrates Seminars
Travel Advisory: JULY FOURTH Weekend is popular in Aspen--Book NOW!
This is one of the most popular weekends of the year in Aspen, so it is wisest to register earlier than later and to procure necessary travel arrangements now. The Socrates Society is now taking reservations at The Aspen Meadows, the Aspen Institute's lodging facility right on campus. Participants in the Socrates Society Forum are eligible to book rooms within the Socrates Society room block. Booking rooms is now simplified through our online registration process, where one can request a reservation. If you have a question, please contact Socrates' director Kitty Boone and she will assist you: 970-544-7926.
For additional lodging elsewhere in the community, we recommend contacting STAY ASPEN SNOWMASS, the community's central reservations service, for assistance with other lodging reservations: 888-452-2409; 970-925-9000.
Regarding air travel: Socrates has a block of seats available, through Aspen Ski Tours, on flights into Aspen over the holiday weekend. These include flights from New York, Washington DC, Chicago, and the Bay Area. Visit the Travel and Lodging pages of this site for complete information.
Fun Activities for Families, Kids
Socrates returns this July with a host of interesting and fun activities:
- Opening night at T-Lazy-7 Ranch-- a fun family barbeque for participants and guests on the banks of Maroon Creek.
"An Evening of Words and Music": A conversation with Thomas Friedman and Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute, as well as a special concert performed by the international students of the Aspen Music Festival and School, at the Aspen Music Tent, Saturday, July 3, 4pm. All Socrates registrants receive tickets with their registration; more are available to guests of participants.
Benefit Dinner on behalf of the Aspen Institute and the Socrates Society's Endowment Fund (for scholars), private home in Aspen, immediately following 4pm dialogue and concert. Tickets are available to Socrates seminarians and the spouse/guest as indicated on the online registration only. The cost is $250 per ticket ($150 of which is tax deductible).
For those NOT attending Benefit Dinner, Socrates offers dinner at Mezzaluna restaurant, an Italian eatery central in town and known for its energetic, fun ambience.
- River Rafting the Colorado, Fourth of July. Back by popular demand, Blazing Adventures will take interested Socrates participants and families on a memorable trip down the Shoshone section of the Colorado River. Ages 6+.
- Aspen's Annual Fourth of July Parade (for those not going down the river, this is completely fun!) afternoon of the 4th, following morning sessions.
- Socrates Family Fourth Of July Picnic Dinner, adjacent to Music tent on Aspen Campus, followed by Free Community Concert (Music Festival) and then the community's fireworks display.
- Closing Luncheon and panel discussion, July 5th (Subject, speakers to be announced).
For Kids only!
Adventure Weekend (Ages 8 +): Rock Climbing, Biking, and Orienteering (parents talk, kids actually do stuff, right?) and Camp Ecology (Ages 4 - 8): Socrates kids treated to a host of nature and fun outdoor activities while parents are in session. See Children's Activites and register directly with these program purveyors.
For more information about Socrates, please contact:
Kitty Boone
Executive Director
Socrates Society
kitty@aspeninst.org
phone: 970-544-7926
fax: 970-544-7908
The Aspen Institute
1000 North Third Street
Aspen, CO 81611 | 
