Please join the Affect and Emotions Workshop
on Monday, June 1 when
Amber Ace
PhD Candidate
Department of Classics
University of Chicago
presents the paper:
“Philosophy is reproduction:
reproductive metaphors, attachment and argumentative justice in Plato’s Theaetetus“
Monday, June 1 | 4:30-6pm
Zoom: https://uchicago.zoom.us/j/97662340830
Respondent: Sarale Ben Asher, Philosophy
Description: In Plato’s Theaetetus, Socrates compares himself to a midwife. This is part of an intricate extended metaphor comparing philosophy to sexual reproduction. In this chapter, I argue that Plato uses this metaphor to explore the (often negative) emotional experience of having philosophical conversations. It is painful to have arguments debunked because, as with children, people are attached to their own creations and become angry and upset when they are under attack. By encouraging readers to think of philosophy as reproduction rather than fighting, he leads them to understand these emotions differently.
The paper, to be read in advance, will be distributed to the Affect and the Emotions Workshop mailing list and is available in the post below with a password.
We are committed to making our sessions accessible to all persons. Questions, requests, or concerns may be directed to the coordinator by email. To join our mailing list, please click here.
