A PHILOSOPHICAL ANTIDOTE TO WAR, VIOLENCE, TERRORISM, RELIGIOUS HATRED AND 
EXCLUSIVISM ? 

SIR EDWARD HERBERT SYMPOSIUM – SEPTEMBER 30, 2006, 11.00– 5pm 

This unique event is being organised by the International Institute of Peace 
Studies and Global Philosophy to commemorate the life and work and influence 
of Sir Edward Herbert, one of the unsung heroes of the history of global 
philosophy and the early Enlightenment. Given the current fever surrounding 
Pope Benedict XVI’s recent speech at the University of Regensburg on 
philosophical dialogue, and the ongoing conflicts of the Middle East, this 
symposium will ask what insights Lord Herbert’s work can shed on these 
complex natters in our current era, and how religions, including paganism, 
can learn to live in peace together, notwithstanding their many differences. 

The Symposium is taking place at a beautiful private Welsh Country house in 
Montgomeryshire, near Welshpool,  Powys, Wales.  Everyone with an interest 
in Herbert as a historical figure is invited to attend to this historic 
event on the subject of his life and thought. Lunch, tea and coffee will be 
included, and weather permitting there will be a chance to explore the 
grounds. 

Herbert was one of the great figures of the rise of enlightenment philosophy 
and proposed a 5 fold universal system of common notions, which underpin all 
faiths and religions. 

His most famous work was De Veritate (On Truth), which almost 
single-handedly launched the European Enlightenment. He was esteemed by 
later figures such as Spinoza, Descartes, Kant, Voltaire, Hegel etc. 

The current Earl of Powys is a direct descendent of Herbert, who was also a 
brother to George Herbert the famous metaphysical poet. There is also a 
famous portrait of Herbert in Powys Castle which is well worth seeing. 
Coincidentally, Herbert had a summer palace at Llanerfyl, in the small 
castle there (now ruined) close to the IIPSGP’s base. He was also a diplomat 
and friend to King Charles, Prince Rupert, and Parliamentarian intellectuals 
such as John Selden. Above all he desired peace instead of the civil war 
then ravaging Britain, and his philosophy was intended as a contribution 
towards a philosophy of peace. 

Places at the Symposium will be limited due to space constraints so if you 
are interested in coming, please email the Institute at 
[log in to unmask] or contact: International Institute for Peace 
Studies and Global Philosophy, Rhos Gallt, Llanerfyl, Powys, Wales, SY21 
OER, 01938 820586, 07951 600959, www.educationaid.net  We ask for a donation 
of 15 pounds to include lunch, (except in cases of financial hardship).