• G • A • P • S •
Georgia Ancient Philosophy Seminar
GAPS 2021: Gorgias and the Socratic Response
▷ READING:
Participants must read closely in advance:
The extant works of Gorgias of Leontinoi. (Recommended: R.K. Sprague, The Older Sophists, Hackett, 2001, pp. 30-67 [here].)
Plato's dialogue, the Gorgias. (Recommended: Trans. Zeyl, Hackett, 1987 [here].)
Knowledge of Greek is not necessary to participate, but Greek editions are available for some of Gorgias here and for all of the Plato dialogue here.
▷ DETAILED SEMINAR SCHEDULE:
Seminar events will be held ONLINE ONLY due to the unpredictable status of the Delta variant locally. Link for all events: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84516781208?pwd=NGwvUkJCUytVcGpuY2QzVS9sZEZlUT09.
Saturday, September 25th Schedule:
9-9:30am - Gathering, Introductions, and Ground Rules
9:30-10:45am - Session 1: Plato's Gorgias and Polus - In this session we will discuss Plato, Gorgias, 447a-481b.
10:45-11am - Break
11am-12:15pm - Session 2: Plato's Callicles and Socrates - In this session we will discuss Plato, Gorgias, 481b-527e.
12:15-2pm - Break
2-3:15pm - Session 3: The Works of Gorgias - In this session we will discuss primarily Gorgias's "On the Nonexistent"; "Funeral Oration"; "Encomium of Helen"; and "Defense of Palamedes".
3:30-3:45pm - Break
3:45-4:30pm - Session 4: Open Dialogue
▷ DISCUSSION SUGGESTIONS:
GAPS involves a series of moderated conversations around a selected work in translation. (Choice of translation is up to the participant, though we make recommendations.) Participants are free to enter the conversation at will and without permission, but nobody should feel specifically obligated to speak. The core goal of our discussion is to practice the virtues of respectful dialogue. With this aim in mind, we suggest these additional Conversational Guidelines:
Do the reading. This is the basic requirement for contributing to the conversation.
Avoid chasing topics. The conversation should be textually grounded, so try to avoid ideas that wander from the text.
Avoid appeals to authorities (e.g. secondary interpretations). Only reference other sources if you can briefly provide everyone with the relevant context.
Practice conversational courtesy. Listen first. Respond to what was said. Be slow to introduce new topics.
Avoid long speeches. Give room to others to enter the conversation. (The moderators reserve the right to cut off long speeches.)
Try to practice the virtues under investigation. Much of ancient philosophy is devoted to exploring virtue. Thus, we should occasionally stop and assess whether/how our conversation enacts (or fails to enact) what we are exploring.