Cultural Commentary Channel We have a channel where we interview thought leaders, and reflect on culture and society in the 21st century as it relates to the philosophy of the beautiful soul.
The Beautiful Soul Press We publish small books and articles which relate to the philosophy of the beautiful soul
The Beautiful Soul is based on 18th and 19th European tradition of Bildung, self-cultivation, and the philosophy of the Beautiful Soul,
offers private salon events, bespoke cultural experiences, and tuition in the art of self-cultivation to individuals, companies, and organizations. Our philosophical services develop intellectual, ethical and aesthetic faculties, and educate in ideas, culture, music, and the arts. We prepare our clients to flourish at the highest level in any context.
The Beautiful Soul trains our students in this practical philosophy. We cultivate our students’ minds through
We use great works of art and literature, cultural products, and teaching techniques to inspire a deep appreciation for knowledge that instills a refined sensitivity to the beauty in art, ideas and human sociability. We shape model citizens and virtuous leaders of the future.
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Tuition in The Beautiful Soul & Art of Self-Cultivation
The tradition of one to one private tuition, in which The Public Sphere Institute is grounded, shares its history with the tutorial system of universities today. In centuries past, those who were privileged enough to access education would have done so from the privacy of their own homes, often taught by the finest specialists and thinkers of the day. In particular, it was the future leaders who would receive tuition educations, notably Queen Christina of Sweden, tutored by Descartes, Nero tutored by Alexander of Aegae and Alexander the Great, tutored by Aristotle. Through ongoing discourse between Scholar and Tutor, students were provided with the training to develop their ideas, ways of thinking and modes of argumentation that proved essential to success in their intellectual trajectories and their careers.
The Public Sphere Institute provides our scholars with the opportunity to access this transformative teaching method. The Tutor is a role model, sounding board and mentor. She guides her student in life-long learning and nuanced approaches to knowledge. In cultivating intellectual bravery, strength of character, and ingenuity, she distinguishes her student from his peers and offers invaluable skills to excel at any milestone, be it preparing for an exam, applying to a university or job, or transitioning to a new stage in life.
Our Clients:
Child prodigies, gifted children, or highly motivated individuals who need new intellectual challenges beyond their formal education.
Secondary school students who wish to prepare themselves to apply to or attend Western prep schools or Universities. We have special experience in the Ivy League and Oxbridge.
Those who have not accessed elite educational institutions and would like a supplementary education to fill any gaps they might feel are an impediment in their life or work.
Business people and professionals who would like to further their self-cultivation for personal reasons, advancement at work, or to excel in society.
EXAMPLES OF CLIENT NEEDS
A foreign student studying in the UK who only socialises with their fellow countrywomen and men and would like the skills to expand their social horizons and comfortably assimilate into the new culture.
An individual who does not know how to engage in conversation beyond small talk and would like to learn the art of conversation.
An individual who would like to host an elegant event or graciously entertain others.
An individual who would like to educate themselves beyond formal education and stay engaged with ideas, culture and world affairs.
A professional who has an important occasion to prepare for and wants to refine their self-presentation and confidence in social situations.
Our Expertise:
We have expert knowledge and experience in many situations such as attending balls and galas, diplomatic events, and formal receptions with heads of state.
Our knowledge ensures that our clients feel confident in myriad contexts from preparing for entrance into a prestigious university, to going to the opera and symphony with ease, to entering new social networks and developing a cultured approach to life.
Private Tuition
Bespoke tutoring for entering cultured society
Ongoing or one-off private tuition with a Tutor at one of our Institute's locations, at home or online suitable for:
Children
16-18 year olds
18-24 year olds
Professionals
Renaissance Men and Women
OUR TUITION SERVICES
Ongoing Tuition. Private tutoring on an ongoing basis, for as long as is desired. Our private program is tailored to the client's level, age and specific needs. Our ongoing tuition takes place in London in the client's home or in our facilities. Other cities and online tuition are possible upon request. We are happy to accommodate unique desires or circumstances.
Recommended for:
- Those already in independent schooling or university in the UK from abroad facing adaptation issues.
- Those wishing to enrich their current educational experience or stretch themselves.
- Those who are committed to life long learning and personal development.
The Bildung Intensive. Our classic Private Bildung course is full-time and intensive over 3 days. Our private program is tailored to the client's level, age and specific needs. Bildung Cultivation Tutors are sent to the client's city for their convenience or the client can choose to come to stay in London in our facilities or at a venue of their choice.
Recommended for:
- Those entering independent schooling or university in the UK from abroad.
- Those relocating, moving due to work or experiencing a change in lifestyle.
-Those who wish to prepare for an important event or special occasion, such as a wedding, matter of diplomacy or business reception.
All of our cultivation services can be booked for individuals and for groups.
We may offer 1-2 day intensive tuition in preparation for last minute events upon request.
Elements of the Institute's Tuition Experience
Our cultivation tutors give private lessons on the curriculum fundamentals (see curriculum)
Tailored lessons according to individual needs, current educational setting and goals
We hold events such as formal dinners, afternoon tea, dinner at high table etc., to practice social etiquette and test skills
We organise salon discussion to synthesise what has been learned
We organise cultural excursions including attending the symphony, opera, and museums
Our Tutors
All Bildung Tutors are exemplary individuals in their own right, carefully selected for their intellect, kindness, sociability, inspiring activities and interesting passions and thoughtfully matched to our clients. Typically, our tutors have received doctorate degrees from Oxbridge or the Ivy League. They are trained by The Public Sphere Institute in Bildung pedagogy and salon methodology.
Residentials
Intensive residential courses preparing you for your next steps
Weekend and 5 day courses in beautiful locations across the UK and worldwide.
PROGRAMMES
Pre University Scholars
Our Pre University Programme caters to the needs of students who wish to enter elite universities in the UK, and the U.S.
Booking available for groups upon request
Renaissance Men & Women
Our classic Intensive for Professionals is tailored to the needs of the global citizen who wishes to excel at the next level in their career by developing their intellectual faculties, and honing essential self-presentation and conversational skills sets.
Booking available for the teams of companies and organizations upon request
Elements of the Institute's Tuition Experience
Our cultivation tutors give private lessons on the curriculum fundamentals (see curriculum)
Tailored lessons according to individual needs, current educational setting and goals
We hold events such as formal dinners, afternoon tea, dinner at high table etc., to practice social etiquette and test skills
We organise salon discussion to synthesise what has been learned
We organise cultural excursions including attending the symphony, opera, and museums
PREVIOUS RESIDENTIALS
Residential in the imposing Maloja Palace, St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Residential in the historic castle of Wartin in Brandenburg, Germany.
Application via arrangement with the administration. Please contact us at contact@publicsphereinstitute.com to discuss your needs. Fees upon request.
For Ongoing Tuition and 3 day intensive tuition, click here.
Our Schools
The Public Sphere Institute has five pillars, or schools, of its education model that cover the essential areas of self-cultivation. By developing skills in each school we train our scholars to be well-rounded individuals who are able to intelligently engage on any subject in myriad situations and social circumstances.
We do not train our scholars in a particular discipline or body of literature. We use great intellectual works, texts, and cultural experiences to teach an approach to knowledge and a method for cultivating oneself that is applicable in any context for life.
school of philosophy
Modules
· Critical thinking and problem solving skills
· Developing argumentative abilities and rational thinking
· Approaches to philosophical knowledge
· Cultivating wonder and curiosity in culture and ideas
Aesthetics
· Cultivation and refinement of tastes
· Knowledge and experience of global culture
· Developing the ability to converse on “high culture” in music and the visual arts
School of Ethics
· How to be the ideal friend, partner, host, guest or muse...
· How to practice virtues
exercise kindness and benevolence
· Ethical decision making
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
· Speaking skills and ease in society
· The basics of etiquette
· General sociability and confidence in social situations
· Developing an interesting and inspiring persona including mastering a passion
· Comportment and decorum
· Technological astuteness and online reputation
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Our Salons
A social gathering in which individuals came together to engage in the art of conversation, hosted by one of their favourite Salonnières, visionary women who created the spaces for ideas to flourish and contributed to the emergence of a public sphere in Europe.
By discussing ideas, listening to chamber music, and collaborating on cultural products, participants of the salon practiced self-cultivation in a spirit of fraternité and contributed to intellectual and artistic movements that forever changed the course of history. Salon culture ultimately transformed Bildung from an abstract, aesthetic ideal into a collaborative and performative reality. The basic tenets and meaning of this concept were elaborated upon and developed in its very enactment.
At The Public Sphere Institute we understand the need for merging theory and practice. It is not enough to help our students self-cultivate, we also create the spaces for them to do so, shaping a society that fosters this philosophy. By reviving salon culture, we hope to strengthen structures of participatory democracy, community in ideas, and the collective pursuit of self-cultivation for the betterment of society.
To learn more about the history and philosophy of salon culture, read our article in The European.
What is a Salon?
Why Salons Today?
Salons offer an essential foundation for constructive communication and a vital opportunity to engage with others through a subtle balance of sensitively structured interaction, intelligent analysis, thoughtful argumentation, and deep engagement with collective knowledge brought to bear on a given issue.
The benefits of salons include intellectual, moral, and aesthetic self-cultivation, the acquisition of knowledge in different fields, exposure to conflict resolution, problem solving, and the formulation of new projects and ideas. In the hyper-accelerated technological world in which we live, salons address the essential, yet under facilitated human need to interact with others and forge community through ideas in the real world, where they matter most.
About our Salons
Our salons typically take place over tea or an intimate, shared meal in a beautiful setting or location of your choice and are conducted by an Oxbridge or Ivy League educated Salonnière trained specifically for the role of moderator.
We extensively research the selected topic and create a structured framework for discussion: each salon is unique. At the beginning of the salon, we give a short, illuminating presentation on the topic or question so that everyone learns something new. Alternatively, your salon can be attended by an expert speaker on your chosen subject. The presentation is followed by a moderated conversation. Our salons are carefully curated, intellectually stimulating, educational and entertaining events.
By partaking in our salons you or your company enjoys the prestige associated with the tradition of salon culture and a Bildung education.
What we Offer
We believe that anyone, when asked the right questions and guided by a Salonnière, can intelligently converse on a topic. Our salons, therefore, retain intellectual rigor, but we also ensure that questions are general enough such that anyone can contribute meaningfully to the conversation without having extensive knowledge on the subject.
Our salons stimulate, challenge and inspire your guests while cultivating valuable personal and group skill sets, and provide a genuine opportunity to engage with colleagues and friends in an intimate, constructive environment.
WHAT WE OFFER
A trained Salonnière usually educated at Oxbridge or the Ivy league who is well versed in the art of moderating conversations and has a Bildung education
Extensive research on salon themes and topics including an individualised “Conversation Menu” to structure and guide the conversation
Educational texts and additional reference materials
Access to Bildung's community of experts, international musicians and the cultural elite
A carefully selected and culturally significant venue with a multiple course dinner, or a salon in your facilities, or a venue of your choice
SAMPLE SALONS
We are proud to present a selection of our previous salons here.
Private Salons for Companies & Organisations
A productive bonding activity and training opportunity
Our private salons for companies and organisations provide a productive bonding activity and training opportunities for company employees, executives, and clients. Salons are enjoyable events that allow team members to understand one another on a profound level, laying the foundation for trusting relationships that boost morale and motivation in the workplace. Through salon conversation, employees learn invaluable communication and presentation skills, social etiquette and the capacity to harness problem-solving techniques through a structured analysis of issues. Listening to and learning from the collective knowledge brought to bear on a particular salon topic or theme enhances employees’ ability to innovate and to arrive at collaborative solutions to problems.
OUR EXCELLENCE
Many team bonding activities on the market do not engage the higher faculties of intellect and reason. We believe that employees are more motivated and productive at work when their company values and develops their intellectual curiosity and potential. Our salons address this need. They stimulate, challenge, and inspire your team while cultivating valuable personal and group skill sets, and providing a genuine opportunity to engage with colleagues in an intimate, constructive environment. Our salons take place over tea or a gourmet dinner in a setting carefully selected for its beauty and cultural significance so that the experience is both productive for your company and pleasurable for participants.
By partaking in our salons your company enjoys the prestige associated with the historically rich, European tradition of salon culture.
BESPOKE
We tailor salon topics to our clients' priority issues and organisation's ethos. Therefore, your salon will directly advance your company’s goals and give employees a critical opportunity to reflect on the greater purpose of their work and work relationships. We are happy to accommodate any special requests and tailor our content, format, and services to your needs.
WHO BENEFITS?
We have developed salon formats to help your organisation achieve its goals in a variety of contexts.
We can create salons for:
Team members: motivating, rewarding and training your team members
Employees from different departments who could benefit from developing more effective communication skills
Executives who want to engage in conversations regarding long-term strategy, company vision, future directions, and values
Clients, especially when there are cultural barriers or when you have not yet established a relationship
Your company and members of the public to enhance public relations
Your company and private individuals or other companies with whom you would like to build strategic partnerships
Work
Commitment to workplace
Happiness in the workplace
Intellectual challenges
Motivation
Big picture thinking
Innovation
Fresh approach to learning and training
Skill Sets
Communication
Presentation
Problem solving
Listening
Social etiquette
Sociability
Confidence
Relationships
Overcoming cultural barriers
Working towards common goals
Trust and Respect
Overcoming differences
Tactfully communicating disagreement
Understanding/getting to know each other better
Private Salons for Events
The perfect cultural offering for clients to meet & interact
LUXURY HOTELS & EVENTS COMPANIES
If you are a luxury hotel or events company, we can host salons as a perfect in-house offering to add to your cultural program. We offer bespoke salons tailored to the needs of your guests or clients. In our salons, guests will discuss ideas, learn more about intellectual, cultural, and artistic landscapes, forging new connections and networks. You benefit by providing guests or clients with the exclusive opportunity to meet other interesting and influential people, experience something completely unique, and partake in the rich tradition of salon culture. Additionally, salons are a wonderful opportunity for guests or clients to partake in your company's existing amenities and gourmet dining: Our salons are conducted over lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner.
INDIVIDUALS
Private salons are a wonderful way to entertain guests and bring friends together in a new way. Overcoming uninspired, dull, or superficial small talk, we engage your party in stimulating conversation and create opportunities for meaningful interaction. Let us host a salon in your home for your dinner party. We can also arrange a beautiful dinner location and gourmet meal for you and your guests. In addition, to extend the salon experience, we offer private weekend salon retreats.
BESPOKE
All of our events are bespoke. We are happy to accommodate any special requests and tailor our content format, and services to your needs.