A Philosophy of Belonging: Academic Retreat Led by Dr. James Greenaway
This academic retreat will concentrate on A Philosophy of Belonging by the philosopher James Greenaway. The desire for belonging is a fundamental human experience. How does this desire, along with its fulfillment or disappointment, shape our perception of ourselves, one another, and the world? Ranging from the cosmic order to political community and interior reflection, Greenaway explores how belonging can inform reality and the person’s place within it.
Led by the author himself, this retreat explore the text in seminar and lecture. Through shared reading, discussion, and reflection, participants will deepen their understanding of belonging and its illumination of the human condition.
Retreat Details
Our multi-day academic retreats are small gatherings focused on great texts, thoughtful conversations, and intellectual friendship. Each retreat is led by a professor and centers on a specific thinker, theme, topic, or text.
The heart of the retreat is a robust academic program of twelve one-hour sessions—typically nine seminars and three lectures. Seminars are limited to 15 or fewer participants and emphasize close reading, intellectual humility, and the shared pursuit of truth. The professor's lectures synthesize themes and situate the readings within a broader whole.
The atmosphere is intentionally contemplative and relational—free from digital distraction and grounded in attentiveness, presence, and receptivity.
Location
Our academic retreats are held at our Kingfisher Center, which is located on the southwest side of Austin, Texas.
Cost
For accepted participants, the Valor Institute will cover the cost of the program fee, texts, lodging, and meals. We ask for participants to pay for their own travel to and from the retreat — though we do offer travel scholarships for those in need. We do not want cost to be a barrier for anyone desiring to participate in our programs.
Schedule
A typical retreat day runs from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. including time for lunch, dinner, and breaks.
Preparation
Participants are expected to carefully read and annotate all texts before arriving at the retreat. Because of academic retreats involve a significant amount of time in seminar, preparation is essential.
Registration & Questions
Space in our retreats is limited, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. For any questions, please contact us.
About the Leader
Dr. James Greenaway holds the San José-Lonergan Chair in Catholic Philosophy at Saint Mary’s University. He received his Ph.D. from the University College Dublin, where he wrote on medieval political philosophy. In addition to A Philosophy of Belonging, he has also published The Differentiation of Authority: The Medieval Turn toward Existence (Catholic University of America Press, 2012) and has co-authored and edited Human Dignity, Education, and Political Society: A Philosophical Defense of the Liberal Arts (Lexington Press, 2020).
As the San José-Lonergan Chair, Dr. Greenaway facilitates interdisciplinary seminars for faculty, administration and professional staff across campus, using Bernard Lonergan’s work on interiority as a foundation. In addition to his academic responsibilities at Saint Mary’s, he has also taught in prisons through courses that aim at restoring and cultivating a reverence for human dignity among inmates.