Critical Approaches to Ancient Philosophy
University of Bristol
21-22 March 2009 (2 pm Saturday- 1 pm Sunday)
While the diversity of disciplines influenced by classical philosophers is
a testament to their works’ fecundity, all too often it happens that
specialists approaching them from the perspective of the history of
philosophy, literary theory and “continental” philosophy, and ancient
cultural history do not communicate. When they do happen, encounters
between these perspectives are sometimes marked by confusion and
frustration. Even with abundant good will, we may get the feeling that we
simply are not speaking about the same texts. The purpose of this workshop
is to bring scholars from different backgrounds into a round-table format
in order to consider the feasibility and desirability of breaking down
these “disciplinary walls.” Speakers will give a series of
methodologically self-conscious papers on ancient philosophical texts,
reflecting on the preconceptions about the means and aims of “philosophy”
particularly and “scholarship” generally that underlie their approaches.
Equal time will be given to papers and discussion, and there will also be
a closing discussion.
There is no cost for this workshop, but those interested in attending
should contact the convener, Kurt Lampe (clkwl@bristol.ac.uk).
Postgraduates are welcome.
Speakers:
Robert Wardy (Cambridge), “Unapproachable Philosophy”
Kurt Lampe (Bristol), “Authenticity inside and outside the Text: the
Reception and Meaning of the Platonic Theages”
Miriam Leonard (UCL), “Hegel’s Socrates”
Wilson Shearin (Stanford), “Philosophical Things: the Materiality of
Language and the Practice of Reading in Epicureanism”
John Sellars (UWE), “Conceptions of Philosophy and Genres of Philosophy:
The Case of Marcus Aurelius”
Christopher Rowe (Durham) will chair the first day’s papers, and David
Konstan (Brown) will chair the second day and introduce the closing
discussion.
This workshop is supported by BIRTHA (The Bristol Institute for Research
in the Humanities and Arts), the Bristol Institute of Greece, Rome, and
the Classical Tradition, and the Bristol Institute for Advanced Studies
Inquiries about accommodation or other particulars should be directed to
Kurt Lampe (clkwl AT bristol.ac.uk).
Website: http://www.bris.ac.uk/ias/events/2009/257?t=10:27:57
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