The mission of the Philosophical Research Society is the same as it was at its founding in 1934—to provide resources for seekers to find meaning and wisdom. To do this we seek out wisdom wherever it can be found, from any area of the world, any era in history, any way of knowing that has shown itself to be worthy by praxis. As a nonprofit, on-campus, and online society dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom, our vision is a community of seekers who are continually discovering, applying, cultivating, and rediscovering practical and profound wisdom in the 21st century. Guiding us as we guide seekers are the following values that we apply daily:
- Inclusiveness: PRS looks to include wisdom from its every source and to make it accessible to all who value it.
- Objectivity: PRS transcends any particular tradition, philosophy or personality.
- Freedom: PRS supports free and open inquiry into ways of knowing and being that are at the same time open to critique and dialogue.
- Community: PRS fosters a learning community characterized by stimulating and good-faith interaction.
Please consider donating your time and/or resources to one of the causes below.
@reclaimtheblock @colorofchange @theokraproject
@blklivesmatter @blmlosangeles
@reclaimtheblock @colorofchange @theokraproject
@blklivesmatter @blmlosangeles
PRS Online Community
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Mitch Horowitz lectures on "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" and "The Initiates of the Flame." The 16-video lecture series is available to purchase and watch anytime.
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Our newest course, "The Basic Keys to The Secret Teachings of All Ages," is currently running. To learn more about upcoming classes please visit our online classes page.
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Visit the PRS YouTube channel for previously recorded lectures with Greg Salyer, PhD. The most recent series "Seeking Wisdom
in Troubled Times" is now available. To pursue “practical and profound wisdom for the 21st century,” as we do at PRS, means to oppose racist ideologies and practices. You can find a selection of videos on the PRS YouTube Community Channel focusing on practical and profound wisdom from scholars, thinkers, and writers including James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Toni Morrison, Jesmyn Ward, Ibram X. Kendi, Rachel Cargle, and Megan Ming Francis. |
free food by artist Lani Trock is a continuous series that explores ideas of interdependence, gift economics, mutual aid, sovereignty and the de-commodification of food systems through the regeneration of backyard farming and communal sharing practices. To participate, you can select an edible seedling to pickup on 7/10 here
"What Women Want: The modern implications of an ancient tale on the difficulties of being a woman in a violent world, from King Arthur’s court to the Black Lives Matter Movement." A mytho-poetic approach. A lecture by Dr. Raïna Manuel-Paris available on 6/30 here |
"Walking the Dao: Introduction to Internal Martial Arts" with Yunuen Rhi
"Tools for Being Human: Buddhist Practices" with Carlyle Coash "Films to Heal Part One, Part Two, and Part Three" a meditative film series by Courtney Sell with sound bowls by Kristin Palombo |
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Explore the history of the PRS Library and view the famed alchemical manuscripts collected by Manly P. Hall seen in "The Art of Alchemy" exhibit at the Getty Research Institute
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PRS Online Store is open for shipping and curbside pickup.
Curbside pickup hours are Fridays 12-4pm. You can read more about shipping and safety protocols here. *Daily Words of Wisdom eBook now available to download for free! |
Discover hours of free video lectures and presentations available to all
FEATURED VIDEO: "Love: The Primal Element of Change" with Raïna Manuel Paris, PhD |
Online Classes
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Current class:
More information is available on our online classes page. |
PRS President's Class | Recent Events at PRS
Still going! The President's Class (now on YouTube). We have suspended campus programming to help our staff and community stay safe during the pandemic, so we are moving our President's Class online. Look for the next lecture/discussion to appear on our YouTube page and watch previously recorded lectures from Greg Salyer, PhD. Text the code "SUPPORTPRS" to 44-321 or go here to donate (suggested $10). We look forward to continuing our dynamic and edifying discussions with you and welcome the larger YouTube community.
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About PRS
The Philosophical Research Society (PRS) was founded in 1934 by wisdom scholar and prolific author Manly P. Hall as a repository of the world’s wisdom. His international travels culminated in the collection of manuscripts, rare books, artwork, and esoterica that became the foundation for the library, designed by architect Robert Stacy-Judd in 1935. The historic Mayan-inspired campus is home as well to an art gallery, auditorium, bookstore, and lecture room. A nonprofit institution, PRS offers a full calendar of lectures, online courses, workshops, wellness classes, concerts, and special events to the general public. As the 1959 inscription on the cornerstone of Hall's auditorium reads, PRS is "Dedicated to the truth seekers of all time."
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Contact us: Philosophical Research Society 3910 Los Feliz Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 (323) 663-2167 / info@prs.org Visit us: CURRENTLY CLOSED Bookstore Tuesdays 10am-2pm and 5-7:30pm; Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm (place shipping or curbside pickup orders here) Library Tuesdays 5-7pm; Fridays 11am-4pm Gallery Tuesday 5-7pm, Friday 11am-4pm, and by appointment Closed Mondays Parking: We are located on the southwest corner of Los Feliz Blvd. and Griffith Park Blvd. There is a front parking lot accessible from Los Feliz Blvd if you are coming from Hollywood, and a back parking lot via the alleyway off Griffith Park Blvd (the closest alley to Los Feliz). Street parking is also available. |
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