Διαδικτυακή διάλεξη με ομιλητή τον Robert W. Wallace, καθηγητή κλασικών σπουδών (Πανεπιστήμιο Northwestern, Illinois ΗΠΑ)

Το Κέντρον Ερεύνης της Ελληνικής Φιλοσοφίας της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών σας προσκαλεί στο πλαίσιο του Μηνιαίου Σεμιναρίου Φιλοσοφίας

στη διαδικτυακή διάλεξη με ομιλητή τον Robert W. Wallace, καθηγητή κλασικών σπουδών (Πανεπιστήμιο Northwestern, Illinois ΗΠΑ),

που θα διεξαχθεί την Τετάρτη 11 Μαΐου 2022, 5-7μμ,

με θέμα: «Plato at Play».

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The Research Centre for Greek Philosophy at the Academy of Athens

Invites you in the course of the Monthly Seminar of Philosophy

to the online lecture of Robert W. Wallace, Professor of Classics (Northwestern University, Il USA)

which will be held on Wednesday 11 May 2022, 5-7pm,

titled: «Plato at Play».

Το σεμινάριο θα πραγματοποιηθεί μέσω του ακόλουθου συνδέσμου Zoom / The seminar will be broadcast via the following Zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87477377099?pwd=Y1RsRzQ1YnBOM2ZNWkwvZzBoQ1Fhdz09

Meeting ID: 874 7737 7099

Passcode: 467009

Περίληψη / Summary

In the Phaedrus (275d-276d), Plato’s Sokrates explains that one cannot do philosophy in writing, because if a reader misunderstands or has an objection, the philosopher is not there to explain. So whenever a philosopher writes instead of conversing, «he will plant the gardens of letters, it seems, for the sake of amusement», paidia. When he writes, he is playing, paizein.

How far are Plato’s dialogues playing? In fact, playfulness is a major element of many dialogues. Do his paidiai conceal a serious purpose? In my view very often, but different scholars identify Plato’s purpose according to their own interests. As among my most important teachers were ancient historians, I often see the purpose of Plato’s humor as attacking democracy and defending Sokrates and himself. However, other approaches can be discussed. To give my presentation a focus, I shall consider especially humor in the openings of Euthyphro, Apology, Phaedrus, Protagoras, Charmides, Republic, and Laws, and what has been called Plato’s use of dramatic framing in his dialogues.

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