Philosophy Presentations

Doug Al-Maini (St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia) will speak on “Plato’s Critique of Writing,” on Friday, March 5, 10:30-11:20, AE 164.

“The Greeks of the classical era are not so far removed from the introduction of writing into their culture as to be unable to assess its pros and cons with fairly fresh eyes. They are particularly sensitive to the impact writing might have on their political institutions. I shall attempt to make sense of Plato’s unfavourable judgement of writing in this context. In the Phaedrus, Plato harshly compares writing with speech, but upon further investigation it appears that the criticisms of writing he makes are applicable to speech as well. If this is true then it would seem part of Plato’s aim involves undermining the distinction between speech and writing and applying his analysis beyond the written word. The Greeks in general and Athenians in particular are notorious for being chatty; more formally we might say they are preoccupied with discourse, especially in their political practice. Taking Plato’s concerns in the Phaedrus to be relevant to all discursive practice, I shall investigate what the implications of Plato’s analysis are for the political culture of both classical Greece and our own. ”

Everyone welcome.

Dr. Doug Al-Maini’s is the first of three philosophy presentations by candidates for a position in Ancient Philosophy. Subsequent presentations will take place March 12 and 19. More information to follow.