The Department of Philosophy Colloquium Series is pleased to present

The Gregory Vlastos Memorial Lecture

given by

Dr. Brad Inwood, Yale University

Varieties of Stoicism: The strange case of Marcus Aurelius

Abstract: Ancient Stoicism lasted for about 500 years, so inevitably there was a good deal of variety in the school’s philosophical methods and doctrines. But no Stoic is more puzzling than the last one, the emperor Marcus Aurelius. After considering some of the main features of his thought, as revealed in the philosophical diary we know as the ‘Meditations’, I zero in on what I believe to be an important innovation in the area of metaphysics. His distinctive views on causation and matter have important connections to the practical ethics for which he is best known, but I also raise the possibility that his explorations in this area led him to ideas so novel that they test the boundaries of what it meant to be a Stoic.

Thursday, April 5, 4:00 pm, Watson Hall 517

A Reception follows at the University Club, Stuart Street

EVERYONE WELCOME 

If you have accessibility requirements, please contact Noreen Haun (noreen.haun@queensu.ca)