Notre Dame Centre for the History of Philosophy

Find out more here: buff.ly/F7dNqpT

There is still time to join us for our final session on Monday, 11 May 2026. We will be joined by Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, who will guide us through twentieth century Orthodox philosophy, focusing on the thought of Joseph Soloveitchik, Eliezer Berkovitz, and Jonathan Sacks.

We had a brilliant time last night at The Great Synagogue Sydney for the second session of our short course, Faith Meets Reason: A Journey in Jewish Philosophy.

Thank you to our three critics, to Chris, and to everyone who joined us in person and online.

Sandra Leonie Field (Monash), Peter Harrison (Notre Dame Australia), and Jessica Whyte (UNSW) brought sharp and generous critical commentaries – a fitting reception for what is already being recognised as an important new interpretation of Western modernity.

Yesterday CHOP hosted a wonderful author-meets-critics session with Christopher Watkin (Monash) on his new book, “The State of Nature and the Shaping of Modernity” (Cambridge University Press).

📣 Next CHOP Seminar — Julia Kindt (Sydney) "The Authority of the Prophetic Voice and the ‘Discovery’ of Truth in Classical Greece". Thurs 26 March | 1:00–2:30 pm AEDT IN PERSON: Moorgate Boardroom (NDS16), 10 Grafton St, Chippendale ONLINE: buff.ly/a4TFgQX

The episode explores how medieval Jewish thinkers engaged in deep intellectual exchange with the Islamic world, and why the modern “sacred vs secular” divide doesn’t map neatly onto pre-modern philosophy.

🎙️ Raphael Dascalu on ABC Radio National CHOP scholar Dr Raphael Dascalu recently joined ABC RN’s The Philosopher’s Zone for a conversation on “Medieval Jewish philosophy and the lessons of history”. buff.ly/x8sufHX

Sessions include: • Moses Maimonides: life, ideas, and legacy • Modernity East and West: Spinoza, Mendelssohn, Eastern Haskalah • 20th Century Orthodox Philosophy: Soloveitchik, Berkovitz, & Rabbi Jonathan Sacks 👉 Register now: buff.ly/2yNltsJ

📍 Where: The Great Synagogue, Sydney 📅 When: Three Monday evenings — 16 March, 20 April, 11 May 2026 ⏰ 5:30–8:30pm (with refreshments!) 💵 Cost: $50 | TGS members $40 | Students FREE 👥 Teachers: Dr Raphael Dascalu & Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton

We are delighted to partner with The Great Synagogue Sydney to present Faith Meets Reason: A Journey in Jewish Philosophy from Maimonides to Jonathan Sacks — a three‑session short course for anyone curious about big ideas, deep questions, and the Jewish intellectual tradition.

Come study with us at CHOP! seek.com.au/job/89892945

Read the coverage here: buff.ly/vKpztJ1 See CHOP's upcoming events: buff.ly/CjwdUoY

On 26–27 November, CHOP hosted Women in the History of Philosophy: On Nature conference. Over two days, eight scholars explored how women philosophers have shaped ideas of nature, from the Pythagorean women to Germaine de Staël and Edith Stein.

We’re thrilled to see our recent conference featured in Philosophy Now magazine: buff.ly/vKpztJ1

🔗 Register here: buff.ly/7h7Ofzp 🖼 View the poster: buff.ly/oVCkVDX

🚨 Last chance to register! Join us for DAVID HUME: ON HUMAN NATURE AND DARK EMOTIONS, a deep dive into the Humean psyche with Peter Kail (Oxford) and Anik Waldow (Sydney). 🗓 Friday, 12 December | Masterclass + Seminar 📍 Notre Dame Sydney & Online