Seeing Clearly

Oxford Pastorate

How do we cultivate vision in cynical and challenging times?

Somerville College

Living in a time overshadowed by multiple existential threats, and uncertainty in many dimensions of life, how can we develop a vision of possible futures – personal and social – which is neither overly idealistic nor overly cynical? Through an exploration of T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets, written as WWII loomed and peaked, we'll consider how we might cultivate clear sight – both of where we stand and where we might go – and how poetry, stories, and myths might help us navigate our way.Postgraduates and Early Career Researchers in all relevant disciplines are invited to join a roundtable discussion on the theme of vision. After a short talk introducing the theme within Eliot's work, participants will have time for small group discussion over brunch, thinking through how we live well in times of doubt and uncertainty; how we can cultivate a sense of vision within our respective fields of research; the ways in which poetry and narrative might help us to see the world differently; and the habits and practices which might cultivate new ways of seeing.<a href="https://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-alicia-smith" title="https://www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-alicia-smith" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr Alicia Smith</a>, Fellow at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, specialist in medieval literature and culture, will share her research on vision and the work of T S Eliot.A light brunch of pastries, fruit, tea and coffee will be provided at this free event.* Those on career breaks from postgraduate study or research are also very welcome to attend.__________________________________<a href="https://oxfordpastorate.org/chaplaincy/the-stella-aldwinckle-series" title="https://oxfordpastorate.org/chaplaincy/the-stella-aldwinckle-series" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">The Stella Aldwinckle Series</a> is inspired by the life and work of Stella Aldwinckle and her friends including Iris Murdoch and C.S Lewis.Aldwinckle was a graduate of St Anne’s college and the women’s chaplain of the Oxford Pastorate from the 1940s-1960s. Encouraged by women students at Somerville, Aldwinckle set up and chaired the University’s Socratic Club, inviting C S Lewis to stand as President. Over many years the great thinkers of the day came to debate philosophical and theological questions in an open and intellectually stimulating environment. Amongst them were Iris Murdoch, Elizabeth Anscombe and Dorothy L Sayers - who all studied at Somerville, the College we are delighted to use to hold this event.Through this series we hope to emulate these women in asking some of the big questions about what it means to live a good life.

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Seeing Clearly

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Seeing Clearly

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