Philosophical Research Society

Philosophical Research Society
Formation1934
FounderManly P. Hall
Location
  • Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California

The Philosophical Research Society (PRS) is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1934, by Manly P. Hall, to promote the study of the world's wisdom literature, philosophy, comparative religion, mysticism and metaphysics.[1] PRS is located at 3910 Los Feliz Blvd in Los Angeles.[2] Hall believed the accumulated wisdom of mankind is the birthright of every individual and founded the facility to serve the general public to this end.

The PRS side entrance.

As of 2024, its president is John Pillsbury, who replaced the third president, Greg Salyer in 2022. Dennis Bartok is the current executive director. Salyer was a graduate of Emory University's Graduate Institute of the Liberal Arts. Following Mr. Hall's death in 1990, Obadiah Harris served as the second president and in 2001 opened the University of Philosophical Research, an accredited online university offering graduate programs in consciousness studies and transformational psychology and an undergraduate degree in liberal studies. PRS closed this university in 2019 in favor of offering non-degree courses and certificates with lower costs and greater access to seekers of wisdom.

PRS maintains a research library of over 50,000 volumes, and also sells and publishes metaphysical and esoteric books, mostly those authored by Hall. In 2018 PRS opened the Hansell Gallery to exhibit works of art that express the concept of wisdom in all of its forms. PRS offers a variety of events and lectures throughout the year that incorporate art, cultural studies, literature, philosophy, mythology, among others disciplines.

Its headquarters are in Los Angeles, California. The building at 3910 Los Feliz Boulevard in the Los Feliz neighborhood was designed by architect Robert Stacy-Judd and designated as a Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument.[3]

  • Historic-cultural monument plaque for the PRS.
    Historic-cultural monument plaque for the PRS.
  • A shrine at the PRS.
    A shrine at the PRS.
  • Cornerstone of the auditorium.
    Cornerstone of the auditorium.
  • Egyptian monument at PRS inscribed with the words "Blending heart and mind towards the eternal as thy goal, realizing the oneness of thy self with the eternal through unified consciousness. Man know thyself."
    Egyptian monument at PRS inscribed with the words "Blending heart and mind towards the eternal as thy goal, realizing the oneness of thy self with the eternal through unified consciousness. Man know thyself."
  • The Mayan Revival library.
    The Mayan Revival library.
  • A look inside the PRS bookshop.
    A look inside the PRS bookshop.
  • Front entrance to the PRS.
    Front entrance to the PRS.
  • Statue out front of PRS with inscription "Thou sun, who has covered the truth with thy golden disc, do thou remove the veil so that I may see the truth within thee and know the meaning of thy rays of glory for the truth which is within thee is within me, and I am that."
    Statue out front of PRS with inscription "Thou sun, who has covered the truth with thy golden disc, do thou remove the veil so that I may see the truth within thee and know the meaning of thy rays of glory for the truth which is within thee is within me, and I am that."
  • Part of the PRS courtyard.
    Part of the PRS courtyard.
  • Spiritual figure carved into the PRS library door.
    Spiritual figure carved into the PRS library door.
  • Inside the PRS auditorium.
    Inside the PRS auditorium.
  • Night view of the PRS library.
    Night view of the PRS library.

References

  1. ^ "'We're not a cult!' A mysterious L.A. society reinvents itself for modern 'truth seekers'". Los Angeles Times. September 11, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  2. ^ Dunehoo, Matthew (February 19, 2024). "Secret Teachings of Los Feliz: Step Inside the Philosophical Research Society". LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  3. ^ Designated Historic-Cultural Monuments, Los Angeles City Cultural Heritage Commission
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