February 2025 - The Acropolitan Magazine

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Reader,

As we step into 2025, the timeless invitation of philosophy calls us once more—to embark on a voyage of self-discovery and a deeper understanding of life itself. This issue of The Acropolitan explores themes that inspire us to reflect on what it means to truly live with insight and meaning.

Artificial Intelligence, with all its incredible potential, compels us to rethink human intelligence. Are we merely problem-solving machines, or are we, as Plato reminds us, beings of divine origin, capable of bridging the individual and the universal? Ancient wisdom suggests that the mysteries of the universe—and of ourselves—can be unraveled through the journey of self-evolution.

The Jatakas, meanwhile, offer reflections on karma and virtue, encouraging us to draw wisdom from past experiences to inform present actions and future growth. They challenge us to engage with life’s challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than rushing past them in search of quick fixes. This aligns seamlessly with the idea of hope—not as passive optimism, but as an active choice to move toward the light, one step at a time.

Discipline, too, emerges as a vital thread in this exploration. It is not merely an external imposition but a conscious choice that strengthens our will, stabilizes our emotions, and grants us the freedom to act in alignment with what we know to be right.Philosophy in the classical manner has been a method of inner transformation—a means to master ourselves, and connect with the universe. These themes unite in a simple yet profound call: to embrace philosophy as a way of life.

Philosophy in the classical manner has been a method of inner transformation—a means to master ourselves, and connect with the universe. These themes unite in a simple yet profound call: to embrace philosophy as a way of life.

May these reflections inspire you to explore the mysteries within and embark on a year of meaningful growth.

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

The Importance of Hope

February 3, 2025

By Shraddha Shetty

Why is hope so important? It comes from the Latin verb ‘sperare’ which has multiple meanings: to hope, to prosper, to thrive; implying that if a person is hopeful, there is a possibility of living and thriving and moving towards abundance.

The rainbow is an enduring symbol of hope in many cultures; the Bible tells us that God sent one to Noah after the flood to signify the end of the flood, as a promise of new beginnings;

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Spiritual Exercises in the Western Philosophical Tradition

February 3, 2025

By Julian Scott

What is the meaning of spiritual exercises? The term probably originates in the exercitia spiritualia of St Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit religious order in the 16th Century. But Ignatius himself developed these exercises on the basis of early Christian philosophy, which in turn derived from the exercises already existing in the philosophical schools of antiquity, where they were referred to under the general term askesis, from which we have the word “asceticism”.

Jatakas: The Eternal Interplay between Virtue and Karma

February 3, 2025

By malini nair

Jataka in Sanskrit means birth stories. The Jatakas are a collection of over 500 stories that recount the past lives of Siddhartha Gautama, the being destined to become the Buddha. These tales, preserved in the Pali Canon and dated between 300 BCE and 400 CE, are an integral part of Buddhist literature, encompassing profound moral and spiritual teachings expressed simply and directly, making it widely accessible.

Celebrating World Philosophy Day: Building Unity through Diversity

February 3, 2025

By The Acropolitan Editorial Team

By establishing World Philosophy Day, UNESCO has underlined the enduring value of Philosophy as a discipline that can transform individuals & societies, by developing critical thinking, & responding to the various moral and social challenges facing the world today. New Acropolis International celebrated this day with the theme Building unity through Diversity, in over 500 branches across 50 countries.

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Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence: A Philosophical Perspective

February 3, 2025

By Yaron Barzilay

When writing this article, artificial intelligence (AI) has been one of the most spoken-about topics worldwide for a while, with equally mixed views of great excitement and heavy concern, as it is a significant disruptor already involved in almost every aspect of our lives.

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The Joy of Discipline

February 3, 2025

By Zarina Screwvala

Perhaps, we can learn more if we ask ourselves: Is discipline something that comes from outside? Or from our own will and choices? And where does the joy come? This article examines Discipline and its accompanying Joy from various perspectives.

We are Whole

February 3, 2025

By New Acropolis Mumbai Members

Shared on the stage of World Philosophy Day ‘We Are Whole’ – a spoken poetry was written and performed by members of New Acropolis. It’s a poem which shares that regardless of all the separation we see, harmony can exist, but it must be through us.