“The only wisdom is in knowing, you know nothing.” -Socrates 

Socrates, who wanted to study & explore the essence of human existence rather than the natural world, claimed that true wisdom lay in acknowledging one's profound ignorance. He firmly distinguished between wisdom and knowledge, emphasising that self-knowledge was paramount. 

Socrates, a foundational figure in Western philosophy, also served as the mentor of another influential philosopher, Plato. Plato established the School of Athens, an ancient institution of higher learning. He nurtured his own student, Aristotle, and sought fresh insights into the human condition and wisdom through the lenses of justice and reality. 

The rendition of Raphael's iconic fresco from almost 500 years ago, 'The School of Athens,' adorns the ceiling of this room. Inspired by this masterpiece and the intellectual vigour of the earliest philosophers, you will embark on a journey to explore the curiosity and exchange of ideas that characterised classical period philosophers. Although millennia have passed, there remains a wealth of wisdom to be gleaned from their timeless insights.