School of Economic Science
Encyclopedia
The School of Economic Science (SES), a registered charity based in Mandeville Place, near Oxford Street
in London
, provides courses in what it calls "Practical Philosophy" (its core subject) and "Economics with Justice". The courses are based on the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta
, which sees an underlying unity in all things. The School also pursues a range of other studies and activities, all linked to the principles that it teaches. Those who continue their studies following the introductory course are encouraged to take up meditation and later to undertake voluntary work to help with the running of the School, and to attend occasional residential programmes. It is seen by some commentators as a cult
or new religious movement
.
with the support of his father Andrew MacLaren MP
; the aim was to study and expound the economic theories of the American economist Henry George
, an advocate of land value taxation. Although one reference claims Andrew MacLaren was the founder, elsewhere the same reference states it was Leon MacLaren.
Peter Goffin
's book, The Realm of Art (1946), influenced Leon MacLaren to introduce to the school courses in philosophy, and Goffin later presented its early public philosophy lectures. In the 1950s, MacLaren developed the courses in philosophy, which became and have remained the School's principal area of study. Also during the 1950s MacLaren was a member of the Society for the Study of Normal Psychology (now known as the Study Society), a spiritual organization influenced by the teachings of Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff
and P. D. Ouspensky
. After meeting the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
(later to find fame as the Beatles' guru) in London, MacLaren and the Study Society founded the School of Meditation in 1961, to promote the practice of Transcendental Meditation
.
In the 1960s the SES's philosophy courses became grounded in Advaita Vedanta
following a meeting between Leon MacLaren and Shantanand Saraswati, the 'Shankaracharya
of the North', one of the heads of the tradition in India. The Shankaracharya's successor Vasudevananda Saraswati continues to provide spiritual inspiration to the SES today.
A British member of SES donated Necker Island
to the organization, which then allegedly sold it to Sir Richard Branson for £124,214.
SES has steadily built up a property portfolio that now includes:
Leon MacLaren was succeeded upon his death in 1994 by Donald Lambie, the current leader of the School of Economic Science.
In 1999-2001, frescos were added to the SES's Waterperry property to create "a sacred space" "depicting the teachings of
Advaita Vedanta" intended "to last at least 500 years".
Notes on the project state:
During the late 1950s philosophy became the central subject of teaching and practice within the School. It is approached as an essentially practical study, to be applied in daily life. The material presented is drawn from a variety of sources within the philosophical writings and dialogues, scriptures and other literature of East and West, including the Bhagavad Gita
, the Upanishads, the Bible
, Plato
, Marsilio Ficino
and Hermes Trismegistus
.
The introductory philosophy course covers some basic principles, highlighting the main influences that govern human experience. After the introductory course, the various aspects of the subject are examined more deeply and philosophical texts are studied in detail.
Since the 1960s there has been a connection with a tradition in India that propounds teaching known as advaita vedanta
. Advaita means literally "not two"; vedanta refers to the knowledge underlying the creation. Together these are said to explain the essential unity of everything in creation and the source from which it arises. This teaching also speaks of a concept of ‘pure consciousness’ as the true essence of every being, and the human possibility of shedding the covers on this essence to allow it to be expressed in its purity.
Courses and studies in economics have continued with the emphasis on "Economics with Justice". As well as being inspired by the studies in philosophy, links have been established with several organisations with common aims. A discussion forum fosters open discussion on economics topics. The Economic Monitor is published by the economic faculty and several copies are available on-line.
(having formerly included St Vedast Independent Schools, separately for boys and girls, until 1985) and are run by a charity known as the Independent Educational Association Limited. They were founded with the object of 'restoring and revitalising the best educational traditions coupled with the philosophical principles taught by the School'. The School of Economic Science and the IEAL are legally and administratively separate, but retain a close association. St James has published an information booklet describing their relationship.
The SES runs an annual four day event called Art in Action
, also initiated in the 1970s. This brings together artists and craftspeople from many parts of the world and in recent years has attracted between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors a year.
Renaissance studies by SES have led to several published works, including translations from Latin of many of Marsilio Ficino
's letters
The Education Renaissance Trust, a UK registered charity, was founded by some senior students in the SES in 1998. Its aim is to 'help schools and support teachers who put spiritual values at the heart of education.'
There are currently 19 branches of the School in Great Britain
. There are also many associated but legally independent schools overseas.
School of Practical Philosophy
The School of Practical Philosophy
is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York
that began in New York City in 1964.
The School bases its courses on the precepts of Advaita Vedanta
. Advaita means literally "not two"; vedanta refers to the knowledge underlying the creation. Together these are said to explain the essential unity of everything in creation and the source from which it arises. This teaching also speaks of 'pure consciousness' as the true essence of every being, and the human possibility of shedding the covers on this essence to allow it to be realized and expressed in its purity.
The New York City School of Practical Philosophy has branches in the Hudson Valley and New Jersey. Additional locations in the U.S. include Rochester, NY, Albany, GA, Scottsdale, AZ, South Florida, San Francisco, CA, and Boston, MA. The main branch is located at 12 East 79 Street in Manhattan
.
Many New Yorkers recognize the School due to extensive advertising in the subway for "Philosophy Works", the main 10-week course offered by the School of Practical Philosophy.
and Andrew Hogg, alleged that the School was then a secretive cult 'penetrating the corridors of power’, with sinister links to the Liberal Party. From time to time since then there have been further allegations of secrecy. The School's website insists that these criticisms "greatly misrepresent the aims and activities of the School, but they have alerted it to the need to provide more information about the way its courses and associated activities progress."
The School of Economic Science was also the subject of a chapter in the 1994 book Spying in Guru Land: Inside Britain's Cults, by journalist William Shaw
, who attended the SES's course for several terms. The chapter recounted his experiences, a history of the organisation and interviews with former members.
In 2005, following complaints from a number of former St James Schools pupils on a discussion forum and elsewhere, the Governors of the St James Schools initiated an Inquiry into allegations of mistreatment of children, mostly during the period 1975 to 1985. The Inquiry concluded that there had been 'mental and physical mistreatment' of children, including 'criminal assaults' by some teachers, who were members of the School of Economic Science, although it reported there had been 'a real change of ethos and conduct of the schools' since then.
With the forum's then rapid growth, and following the inquiry, Channel 4 News
investigated the St James Schools and SES in 2006.
The actress Clara Salaman
has published a novel "based on her own experiences growing up at the secretive St James School of The School Of Economic Science".
A history of the School of Economic Science written by a member of the School of Economic Science was published in 2010. It included details of the economic and philosophical thought, coverage of the various adverse criticism, and what the author said were the more positive aspects of the organisation.
In May 2011, The New York Observer published an investigative feature
about the SES and its American branch, the School of Practical Philosophy.
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a major thoroughfare in the City of Westminster in the West End of London, United Kingdom. It is Europe's busiest shopping street, as well as its most dense, and currently has approximately 300 shops. The street was formerly part of the London-Oxford road which began at Newgate,...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, provides courses in what it calls "Practical Philosophy" (its core subject) and "Economics with Justice". The courses are based on the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
, which sees an underlying unity in all things. The School also pursues a range of other studies and activities, all linked to the principles that it teaches. Those who continue their studies following the introductory course are encouraged to take up meditation and later to undertake voluntary work to help with the running of the School, and to attend occasional residential programmes. It is seen by some commentators as a cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
or new religious movement
New religious movement
A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in...
.
History
The School of Economic Science was founded in 1937 by Leon MacLarenLeon MacLaren
Leon MacLaren was a barrister, politician, philosopher and the founder of the School of Economic Science MacLaren was inspired by Henry George, Socrates, Dr Francis Roles, Pyotr Ouspensky, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and finally the philosophy of Advaita Vedānta through the Shankaracharyas of Jyoti...
with the support of his father Andrew MacLaren MP
Andrew MacLaren
Andrew MacLaren was an Independent Labour Party politician. His passions were economic justice and art; he persistently campaigned for Land Value Taxation, and he was a painter. He represented Burslem for three separate terms during the 20th century.-History:Andrew MacLaren was born in a poor...
; the aim was to study and expound the economic theories of the American economist Henry George
Henry George
Henry George was an American writer, politician and political economist, who was the most influential proponent of the land value tax, also known as the "single tax" on land...
, an advocate of land value taxation. Although one reference claims Andrew MacLaren was the founder, elsewhere the same reference states it was Leon MacLaren.
Peter Goffin
Peter Goffin
Peter Goffin F.R.S.A. , was an English set and costume designer and stage manager, known for his work with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company.-Biography:...
's book, The Realm of Art (1946), influenced Leon MacLaren to introduce to the school courses in philosophy, and Goffin later presented its early public philosophy lectures. In the 1950s, MacLaren developed the courses in philosophy, which became and have remained the School's principal area of study. Also during the 1950s MacLaren was a member of the Society for the Study of Normal Psychology (now known as the Study Society), a spiritual organization influenced by the teachings of Georges Ivanovich Gurdjieff
G. I. Gurdjieff
George Ivanovich Gurdjieff according to Gurdjieff's principles and instructions, or the "Fourth Way."At one point he described his teaching as "esoteric Christianity."...
and P. D. Ouspensky
P. D. Ouspensky
Peter D. Ouspensky , , a Russian esotericist known for his expositions of the early work of the Greek-Armenian teacher of esoteric doctrine George Gurdjieff, whom he met in Moscow in 1915.He was associated with the ideas and practices originating with...
. After meeting the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi , born Mahesh Prasad Varma , developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and was the leader and guru of the TM movement, characterised as a new religious movement and also as non-religious...
(later to find fame as the Beatles' guru) in London, MacLaren and the Study Society founded the School of Meditation in 1961, to promote the practice of Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation refers to the Transcendental Meditation technique, a specific form of mantra meditation, and to the Transcendental Meditation movement, a spiritual movement...
.
In the 1960s the SES's philosophy courses became grounded in Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
following a meeting between Leon MacLaren and Shantanand Saraswati, the 'Shankaracharya
Shankaracharya
Shankaracharya, is a commonly used title of heads of mathas in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. The title derives from Adi Shankara, a 9th century CE reformer of Hinduism. He is honored as Jagadguru, a title that was used earlier only to Lord Krishna...
of the North', one of the heads of the tradition in India. The Shankaracharya's successor Vasudevananda Saraswati continues to provide spiritual inspiration to the SES today.
A British member of SES donated Necker Island
Necker Island (British Virgin Islands)
Necker Island is a small island in the British Virgin Islands just north of Virgin Gorda, located at . All of the land on the island is owned by Sir Richard Branson, famous for his Virgin brand, and it is part of the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio of luxury properties...
to the organization, which then allegedly sold it to Sir Richard Branson for £124,214.
SES has steadily built up a property portfolio that now includes:
- A mansion at NanpantanNanpantanNanpantan is a small village in the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is located in the south-west of the town of Loughborough, but the village is slightly separated from the main built-up area of Loughborough...
Hall, Leicestershire - A large period town house at Mandeville Place, central London
- A mansion and country estate at WaterperryWaterperryWaterperry is a village beside the River Thame about east of Oxford in Oxfordshire and close to the county boundary with Buckinghamshire.The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary the Virgin has Saxon origins and notable medieval stained glass, sculptural memorials, Georgian box pews and...
House, Oxfordshire - Brinscall Hall in Lancashire
- St. James public schools
- A mansion in Upper East Side Manhattan, New York
Leon MacLaren was succeeded upon his death in 1994 by Donald Lambie, the current leader of the School of Economic Science.
In 1999-2001, frescos were added to the SES's Waterperry property to create "a sacred space" "depicting the teachings of
Advaita Vedanta" intended "to last at least 500 years".
Notes on the project state:
The initial founder of the school of Economic Science Mr. Leon MacLaren first met with the then Shankaracharya of the North, Shantananda Saraswati, in 1964 and under his direction developed the school in London. Since then there has been a regular dialogue between the school and Shantananda Saraswati. These conversations have become an essential part of the study of the School and it became obvious that some of the subject matter that conveyed the essence of this philosophy, should be the basis of the works for the hall. The Advaita Vedanta philosophy is a teaching that is traditionally conveyed orally from teacher to student, containing many stories, analogies, examples, principles, etc. It is not possible to show everything, but a selection has been made for the Waterperry project that would illustrate the main tenets of this philosophy.
The Teachings
The School’s founders explored new possibilities for a system that would bring about economic justice, against the background of the severe economic depression of the early 1930s. This approach to the study of economics led to the study of philosophy - "the love of wisdom" – in order to gain deeper insights into what they saw as the natural laws governing humanity and the origin of those laws.During the late 1950s philosophy became the central subject of teaching and practice within the School. It is approached as an essentially practical study, to be applied in daily life. The material presented is drawn from a variety of sources within the philosophical writings and dialogues, scriptures and other literature of East and West, including the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
, the Upanishads, the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, Plato
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
, Marsilio Ficino
Marsilio Ficino
Marsilio Ficino was one of the most influential humanist philosophers of the early Italian Renaissance, an astrologer, a reviver of Neoplatonism who was in touch with every major academic thinker and writer of his day, and the first translator of Plato's complete extant works into Latin...
and Hermes Trismegistus
Hermes Trismegistus
Hermes Trismegistus is the eponymous author of the Hermetic Corpus, a sacred text belonging to the genre of divine revelation.-Origin and identity:...
.
The introductory philosophy course covers some basic principles, highlighting the main influences that govern human experience. After the introductory course, the various aspects of the subject are examined more deeply and philosophical texts are studied in detail.
Since the 1960s there has been a connection with a tradition in India that propounds teaching known as advaita vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
. Advaita means literally "not two"; vedanta refers to the knowledge underlying the creation. Together these are said to explain the essential unity of everything in creation and the source from which it arises. This teaching also speaks of a concept of ‘pure consciousness’ as the true essence of every being, and the human possibility of shedding the covers on this essence to allow it to be expressed in its purity.
Courses and studies in economics have continued with the emphasis on "Economics with Justice". As well as being inspired by the studies in philosophy, links have been established with several organisations with common aims. A discussion forum fosters open discussion on economics topics. The Economic Monitor is published by the economic faculty and several copies are available on-line.
Associated bodies and activities
The 1970s saw the founding of independent schools for children, which continue today. These are now known as the St James Independent SchoolsSt James Independent Schools
St James' Independent Schools in London are three private schools for children aged 4 to 18. The juniors' and senior girls' schools are in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the senior boys' school in Ashford, Surrey.-History:...
(having formerly included St Vedast Independent Schools, separately for boys and girls, until 1985) and are run by a charity known as the Independent Educational Association Limited. They were founded with the object of 'restoring and revitalising the best educational traditions coupled with the philosophical principles taught by the School'. The School of Economic Science and the IEAL are legally and administratively separate, but retain a close association. St James has published an information booklet describing their relationship.
The SES runs an annual four day event called Art in Action
Art in Action at Waterperry
Art in Action is an arts and crafts festival held in the grounds of Waterperry House in Oxfordshire. For 4 days each summer artists and craftsmen set up their studios in the many marquees so that visitors can watch them at work. The public are able to question and learn from the artists, as well as...
, also initiated in the 1970s. This brings together artists and craftspeople from many parts of the world and in recent years has attracted between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors a year.
Renaissance studies by SES have led to several published works, including translations from Latin of many of Marsilio Ficino
Marsilio Ficino
Marsilio Ficino was one of the most influential humanist philosophers of the early Italian Renaissance, an astrologer, a reviver of Neoplatonism who was in touch with every major academic thinker and writer of his day, and the first translator of Plato's complete extant works into Latin...
's letters
The Education Renaissance Trust, a UK registered charity, was founded by some senior students in the SES in 1998. Its aim is to 'help schools and support teachers who put spiritual values at the heart of education.'
There are currently 19 branches of the School in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. There are also many associated but legally independent schools overseas.
School of Practical PhilosophySchool of Practical PhilosophyThe School of Practical Philosophy is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York that began in New York City in 1964 as an offshoot of the School of Economic Science....
The School of Practical PhilosophySchool of Practical Philosophy
The School of Practical Philosophy is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York that began in New York City in 1964 as an offshoot of the School of Economic Science....
is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
that began in New York City in 1964.
The School bases its courses on the precepts of Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta
Advaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
. Advaita means literally "not two"; vedanta refers to the knowledge underlying the creation. Together these are said to explain the essential unity of everything in creation and the source from which it arises. This teaching also speaks of 'pure consciousness' as the true essence of every being, and the human possibility of shedding the covers on this essence to allow it to be realized and expressed in its purity.
The New York City School of Practical Philosophy has branches in the Hudson Valley and New Jersey. Additional locations in the U.S. include Rochester, NY, Albany, GA, Scottsdale, AZ, South Florida, San Francisco, CA, and Boston, MA. The main branch is located at 12 East 79 Street in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
Many New Yorkers recognize the School due to extensive advertising in the subway for "Philosophy Works", the main 10-week course offered by the School of Practical Philosophy.
Reputation
Secret Cult, a 1984 book by Peter HounamPeter Hounam
Peter Hounam is a British journalist who has worked for Sunday Times, The Mirror, the London Evening Standard, and BBC Television, as well as having published several books:...
and Andrew Hogg, alleged that the School was then a secretive cult 'penetrating the corridors of power’, with sinister links to the Liberal Party. From time to time since then there have been further allegations of secrecy. The School's website insists that these criticisms "greatly misrepresent the aims and activities of the School, but they have alerted it to the need to provide more information about the way its courses and associated activities progress."
The School of Economic Science was also the subject of a chapter in the 1994 book Spying in Guru Land: Inside Britain's Cults, by journalist William Shaw
William Shaw (writer)
William Shaw works as a journalist and writer in the US and in the UK. One of his most noticeable works is the 1999 book called Westsiders. He worked on Details magazine and remains a contributing editor there...
, who attended the SES's course for several terms. The chapter recounted his experiences, a history of the organisation and interviews with former members.
In 2005, following complaints from a number of former St James Schools pupils on a discussion forum and elsewhere, the Governors of the St James Schools initiated an Inquiry into allegations of mistreatment of children, mostly during the period 1975 to 1985. The Inquiry concluded that there had been 'mental and physical mistreatment' of children, including 'criminal assaults' by some teachers, who were members of the School of Economic Science, although it reported there had been 'a real change of ethos and conduct of the schools' since then.
With the forum's then rapid growth, and following the inquiry, Channel 4 News
Channel 4 News
Channel 4 News is the news division of British television broadcaster Channel 4. It is produced by ITN, and has been in operation since the broadcaster's launch in 1982.-Channel 4 News:...
investigated the St James Schools and SES in 2006.
The actress Clara Salaman
Clara Salaman
Clara Salaman is an actress based in Britain.She is known for playing the role of DS Claire Stanton in the long running ITV drama The Bill....
has published a novel "based on her own experiences growing up at the secretive St James School of The School Of Economic Science".
A history of the School of Economic Science written by a member of the School of Economic Science was published in 2010. It included details of the economic and philosophical thought, coverage of the various adverse criticism, and what the author said were the more positive aspects of the organisation.
In May 2011, The New York Observer published an investigative feature
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
about the SES and its American branch, the School of Practical Philosophy.
External links
- SES homepage
- St James Schools
- History of the founding of SES
- Discussion board dealing with issues concerning the SES
- St James Inquiry SES page
- Art In Action
- At The Crossroads - unofficial SES members' discussion board
- Latest INFORM leaflet on the SES
- Course or Cult 1990s article in The Philosophers' Magazine
- information on the founder
- Summary of Criticisms of SES
- Criticisms and excerpts from Belgium Parliamentary report and the book Secret Cult
- School of Practical Philosophy