Aristotle Colloquium 2016

Papers are invited for a colloquium at the University of Pretoria in celebration of Aristotle’s 2400^th birth year.

Keynote speakers are Pedro Tabensky and Larry Bloom (both at Rhodes University).

Abstracts of Keynotes

Larry Bloom: Aristotle on Substance as Actuality

This talk will examine two, or three, central ideas in Aristotelian metaphysics: the ideas of substance (or “thinghood”) and the untranslatable idea generally translated as actuality. We will begin by looking at some of Aristotle’s arguments against understanding substance as the matter or underlying being of the thing and use this as a jumping off point from which to understand why he ends up concluding that substance is in fact essence understood as actuality. Thus, we will be examining some of the central moves in the central books of Aristotle’s Metaphysics. What I hope to provide in this talk is a deeper appreciation for the pivotal role of actuality in Aristotle’s philosophy in general and of what a striking and revolutionary idea the idea of actuality is. In short, I suggest that this one idea is the heart of what separates Aristotelian philosophy from that of Plato and makes Aristotle a great philosopher in his own right.

Pedro Tabensky: My Life With Aristotle

Aristotle cured me of my fresh-faced scepticism. He gave me a clear language to speak about ethics. And as soon as I became fluent, rather ungratefully, I parted company with him, although he remains one of my principal philosophical interlocutors. In my talk I will explore the nature of my agreements and disagreements with Aristotle, and show the extent to which this conversation can help us better understand the postcolonial. His ethics, after all, was a psychology or, more precisely, a political psychology. One of his principal concerns was to understand the relationship between mind and society, which is one of the central concerns of contemporary postcolonial thinking.

Contributed talks: Details of abstracts

• All areas of Aristotle’s work may be covered, but preference will be given to papers on his metaphysics, logic and ethics.
• Abstracts (350 words) should reach Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem ([email protected]) on or before 15 October 2016, and acceptance letters will be sent by 21 October 2016
• There will be 20-30 minute slots, depending on the number of papers selected
• There are only 12 slots available

Venue & Fee

• The venue will be on the University of Pretoria Hatfield Campus in Pretoria and will be specified in your acceptance letter.
• There is no colloquium fee. Tea/coffee/water and a very small lunch will be available.

General

• Accommodation is participants’ own responsibility
• NB! For reasons of space and catering non-participants must also please inform us ([email protected]) by 15 October 2016 of their intention to attend.