Psychological Liberation and the Flying Philosopher in Plato’s Theaetetus

Guest Speaker Professor John Proios will present: In Plato’s Theaetetus, Socrates argues that while philosophers look like silly, bumbling fools to everyone else, they are really the only ’free’ people. I argue that he means that philosophers are free because they engage in a specific social activity—called philosophy—which uniquely positions them in relation to the rest of society. Understanding the nature of this freedom yields interesting results when it comes to Plato’s conception of philosophy, the liberation of the soul, and social life.

For more information or questions about this event, please reach out to the Program Assistant of the Philosophy Department, Brandon Marsh, at bmarsh@usfca.edu.