About Socrates

Socrates Society is a forum in which next generation thought-leaders from across the various sectors of society come together in Aspen and in selected cities across the country to explore contemporary leadership issues that evoke conflicting and not easily reconcilable ideas and points of view. Through moderated, thoughtful conversation, outdoor activities, and ample time for informal relationship-building, Socrates brings together a leadership cadre faced with tackling the global challenges of the 21^st century. 

Socrates seminars and salons take up such diverse and important topics as energy security, civil liberties in times of war, bioethical dilemmas, and media and values. Join the substance of the seminars and salons with former members of Congress, former cabinet members, award-winning journalists, high-ranking United Nations officials, and other intellectuals and opinion leaders who are among those moderating the conversations, and you have a recipe for a very special experience.

The program began with one seminar, Dilemmas of the Digital Age, over 4^th of July weekend 1996. At the beginning, Socrates primarily drew participants from the extended personal and professional networks of the program’s founders and champions, Silicon Valley venture capitalists Gary and Laura Lauder.  Since that time, the program has expanded to more than a dozen seminars and salons each year; and participant profiles have expanded to include accomplished entrepreneurs, senior corporate executives, heads of leading NGOs, leading policy experts, journalists, lawyers, government officials, and others.  Ages of attendees generally range from 28 to 50.

Between a third and half of those at any given session are return participants, with some having participated in seminars going back over a decade. Socrates is a leading source of new and younger talent for participation in Institute programs, and the seminars are a prime lure for other traditional Institute offerings.