Inside the controversial organisation that Hugh Jackman considers his church – and actress Emily Watson claims was ‘unpleasant’ and ‘cruel’
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It’s the organisation that Aussie A-lister Hugh Jackman considers his ‘church’.
But for critics of The School of Practical Philosophy, it is a quasi-religious ‘sect’ that has been described by some as cult-like.
The organisation was founded in 1938 by British politician Andrew MacLaren and his son Leon as the Henry George School of Economics.
Initially a study group that focused on the theories of American economist Henry George, its focus shifted when MacLaren junior inherited the organisation and changed the name to the School of Economic Science (SES) in 1942.
The group retained the name until 2019, when it changed to the School of Philosophy and Economic Science (SPES).
The organisation also operates under the name the School of Practical Philosophy in countries like the US and Australia.
It is also known as the School of Philosophy for various international branches in Canada, Ireland and New Zealand.
It offers non-academic courses using insights from Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, including orthodox Hindu philosophy, Advaita Vedanta, as well as meditation and learning Sanskrit.
It has also founded several independent schools in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Jackman joined the organisation back in 1992, when he was 24, and has often spoken about the positive effect it had on his life.
Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2006, Hugh revealed that his son, Oscar, now 25, attended one of the independent schools operated by the group.
‘Capitalism is a wonderful idea, but it isn’t a cure-all. So this nondenominational group of people wanted to get together, find the truth, then apply it. Now the school is all over the world,’ Jackman explained.
‘The school accepts everyone. There’s even a school for children. Our son, Oscar, attends.
‘I always thought it would be fascinating to raise a child to understand the principles of divine order. That is a reason to have children.’
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