Philosophy Shorts: The Virtues of the Student

What We’ll Explore

What are the qualities of an excellent student? Or, as ancient Greek philosophers would put it, what are the virtues, or excellences, which belong to students in general, and especially to students of philosophy?

In this evening’s Zoom program, we’ll examine some short passages on this theme, written by thinkers at both ends of the thousand-year tradition of Hellenic philosophy. We’ll begin with a few short excerpts from Plato, in which Socrates compares the lackluster standards of Athens with the far superior pedagogy of the Persian royal court, and Aristotle on the special class of “intellectual virtues.” We’ll then move nearly 900 years forward in time, to visit with two of the last heads of the Platonic Academy in Athens: Proclus, who famously declares — in a rebuttal of Aristotle — that “the highest good is not contemplation,” and examines three key virtues of young Socrates as a student, and Damascius, who uses this same list of three virtues in some scathing critiques of the intellectuals of his day.

Through lively conversation and dialogue — both with the ancient authors, and with each other — we will explore the goals and methods of education in Hellenic philosophy, and the virtues (or excellences) that correspond to that educational program. And we will consider the applicability of those goals, methods, and virtues to our own lives as students and seekers after wisdom.

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday, February 18th
6pm-8pm (MST)
via Zoom 

ZOOM INFO
To join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88569988299?pwd=cgIOaadUvAeblfbbSRBtW8anpNhd1L.1
Meeting ID: 885 6998 8299
Passcode: sZDXW5

COST
Free (Donations appreciated)

OTHER
View & Download the document. You are welcome to read in advance, but it is not required. We'll be referencing it periodically during our event so having it handy then will be helpful.