School of Economic Science

Not to be confused with London School of Economics.

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"^[1] (its core subject) and "Economics with Justice".^[2] The courses are based on the Hindu philosophy of Advaita Vedanta,^[3] 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.^[4][5] 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.^[6]

History

The School of Economic Science was founded in 1937 by Leon MacLaren 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.^{[7][8][9][10]} Although one reference claims Andrew MacLaren was the founder,^[11] elsewhere the same reference states it was Leon MacLaren.^[12]

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.^[13][14] 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),^[15] 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^[16] 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.^[17]

SES has steadily built up a property portfolio that now includes:

• A mansion at Nanpantan Hall, Leicestershire^[18]
  
• A large period town house at Mandeville Place, central London^[19]
  
• A mansion and country estate at Waterperry House, Oxfordshire^[20]
  
• Brinscall Hall in Lancashire^[21]
  
• St. James public schools^[22]
  
• A mansion in Upper East Side Manhattan, New York^[23]
  

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" ^[24] "depicting the teachings of Advaita Vedanta" intended "to last at least 500 years". ^[25]

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.^[24]

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, 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.^[26] A discussion forum fosters open discussion on economics topics.^[27] The Economic Monitor^[28] 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 Schools^[22] (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^[29] 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 ^{[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]}

The Education Renaissance Trust,^[38] 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

East 79th Street "The School of Practical Philosophy"

The School of Practical Philosophy^[39] is a not-for-profit corporation chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York^[40][41] that began in New York City in 1964.^[42] The School bases its courses on the precepts of Advaita Vedanta.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[43][44][45]

Reputation

Secret Cult, a 1984 book by Peter Hounam and Andrew Hogg, alleged that the School was then a secretive cult 'penetrating the corridors of power’, with sinister links to the Liberal Party.^[46] 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."^[47]

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. ^[48]

In 2005, following complaints from a number of former St James Schools pupils on a discussion forum^[49] and elsewhere, the Governors of the St James Schools initiated an Inquiry^[50] 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.^[51]

The actress Clara Salaman has published a novel^[52] "based on her own experiences growing up at the secretive St James School of The School Of Economic Science".^[53]

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.^[54]

In May 2011, The New York Observer published an investigative feature about the SES and its American branch, the School of Practical Philosophy. ^[55]

Notes

1. ^ Details of Philosophy Courses http://www.philosophycourse.com/
2. ^ Details of Economics Courses http://www.economicswithjustice.co.uk/
3. ^ Richard King, Orientalism and Religion, Routledge, 1999, page 135-6.
4. ^ Link to SES Language Studies http://www.schooleconomicscience.org/courses/other-studies/
5. ^ Dorine Tolley (2009). The Power Within: Leon MacLaren, A Memoir of His Life and Work. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishing. ISBN 1-4392-1030-6.  p216-219.
6. ^ Colin Slee, "New Religious Movements and the Churches", in Bryan R. Wilson, Jamie Cresswell (eds), New Religious Movements: Challenge and Response, Routledge (1999), page 170; George D. Chryssides, Exploring New Religions, Continuum International Publishing (1999), page 374.
7. ^ Land and Liberty, Henry George Foundation of Great Britain, 1933 p 231; 1935 p89; 1936 p94, 1937 p97.
8. ^ Land and Liberty, 1936 p129, p161, p164.
9. ^ John Stewart (2009). Standing for Justice. BookSurge Publishing. ISBN 0856831948.  page 65
10. ^ Dorine Tolley (2009). The Power Within: Leon MacLaren, A Memoir of His Life and Work. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishing. ISBN 1-4392-1030-6. p52, p68.
11. ^ George D. Chryssides, Exploring New Religions, Continuum International Publishing (1999), page 374.
12. ^ George D. Chryssides, Exploring New Religions, Continuum International Publishing (1999), page 293.
13. ^ John Stewart (2009). Standing for Justice. BookSurge Publishing. ISBN 0856831948.  p. 67
14. ^ Dorine Tolley (2009). The Power Within: Leon MacLaren, A Memoir of His Life and Work. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishing. ISBN 1-4392-1030-6.  p. 76-77.
15. ^ The Study Society - Home
16. ^ The School of Meditation - promoting and teaching Advaita meditation in London and the UK
17. ^ Poster Children of New York’s Happiness Academy – The School Of Practical Philosophy | The New York Observer | Page 2
18. ^ Nanpantan Hall | School of Economic Science
19. ^ School of Economic Science
20. ^ Waterperry House | School of Economic Science
21. ^ Brinscall HallPractical Philosophy | Practical Philosophy
22. ^ ^{a b} St James Schools - London - Education from 4 to 18
23. ^ United States Affiliates | The School of Practical Philosophy
24. ^ ^{a b} Cacioppe.com
25. ^ http://www.cacioppe.com/files/waterperry-fresco.pdf
26. ^ Coalition for Economic Justice http://www.c4ej.com/
27. ^ Economics Discussion Forum http://schooleconomicscience.org/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=16&sid=3ceb7b83d7e902b4ea64f62a16223e09/
28. ^ Economic Monitor http://www.economicswithjustice.co.uk/economic-monitor/
29. ^ http://www.stjamesschools.co.uk/v2/about.htm
30. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. I, 1975. ISBN 0-85683-010-0
31. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. II, 1978. ISBN 0-85683-036-4
32. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. III, 1981. ISBN 0-85683-045-3
33. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. IV, 1988. ISBN 0-85683-070-4
34. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. V, 1999. ISBN 0-85683-129-8
35. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. VI, 1999. ISBN 0-85683-167-0
36. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. VII, 2003 ISBN 0-85683-192-1
37. ^ The Letters of Marsilio Ficino. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishers.vol. VIII, 2010. ISBN 0-85683-242-1
38. ^ Education Renaissance Trust
39. ^ The School of Practical Philosophy http://www.philosophyworks.org/
40. ^ New York State Certification
41. ^ "The Manhattan family guide to private schools" - Google Books
42. ^ "Practical Philosophy puts thinking to the test of daily use" - Times Herald-Record
43. ^ "Taste. Smell. Ahhhh, Wisdom." - New York Times
44. ^ "A reverie runs through it; Room for Doubt Wendy Lesser Pantheon" - Los Angeles Times
45. ^ Philosophy Works
46. ^ Peter Hounam, Andrew Hogg, Secret Cult, ISBN 0-85648-837-2, Lion Publishing 1984.
47. ^ | School of Economic Science
48. ^ William Shaw (1994). Spying in Guru Land: Inside Britain's Cults. Fourth Estate. ISBN 9781857023299. 
49. ^ http://www.ses-forums.org (formerly at whyaretheydead.net)
50. ^ Inquiry Report
51. ^ Homepage - Channel 4 News
52. ^ Clara Salaman, Shame on You, Penguin Books, 2009, ISBN 0-141-0412-6
53. ^ Shame On You - Clara Salaman | Guardian bookshop
54. ^ Brian Hodgkinson (2010). In Search of Truth: The Story of the School of Economic Science. Shepheard-Walwyn Publishing. ISBN 9780856832765. 
55. ^ Poster Children of New York’s Happiness Academy – The School Of Practical Philosophy | The New York Observer

External links

• SES homepage
• St James Schools
• School of Economic Science, Registered Charity no. 313115 at the Charity Commission
• 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