Philosophy Laboratory: Texts and Interpretations

Founded in 2016 (Greek Official Gazette [FEK] Β 1794/17.6.2016)

Objective: Τhe study of the texts of the philosophical tradition and more broadly of the theoretical tradition in its entirety, including the multiple interpretations of this tradition.

Director:

Members:

Associate Members:

Postdoctoral Researchers:

  • Dimitra Giannara
  • Christos A. Pechlivanidis
  • Panagiota Tempridou

Address: Faculty of Philosophy, New Building, Office 421e

Postal address: “Philosophy Laboratory: Texts and interpretations” – AUTH, Dept. of Philosophy – GR 54124 Thessaloniki

Tel.: 2310.99.7374

Email: George Zografidis, zograf@edlit.auth.gr

Description:

The research axis of the Laboratory is based on the conviction that the texts of the philosophical tradition do not constitute robust and unchangeable meaning units; instead, they receive their meaning through their continuous hermeneutical interaction and further they are enriched by the manifold ways of their reception throughout the history of thought. It is the reception of the philosophical tradition that constantly gives meaning to the texts and in fact it is the only possible way that they can be preserved as a vivid reference point. The Laboratory aims to serve as a node for juxtaposition, comparison and dialogue between diverse methodological approaches regarding the texts of the philosophical tradition. These texts are taken to maintain their significance only to the extent that they remain (or can be) placed within contemporary interpretative horizons.
The Laboratory offers the institutional frame for the meeting of scholars from various departments of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki who conduct their research in diverse fields, and represent different hermeneutical traditions or approach the philosophical tradition from divergent perspectives. A common conviction of the researchers who participate in the Laboratory’s activities is that the encounter with the philosophical tradition does not confine itself in its theoretical reconstruction but it also comprises as a constituent part translating major texts of this tradition into Modern Greek.

The task of translating is considered and exercised as a necessary condition for a constructive dialogue with the philosophical tradition; and furthermore as a substantial contribution to the establishment of a Greek philosophical scientific community that does not work isolated but as an integral part of the international scientific community.

Research Projects:

  • The moral status of the child in Plato and Aristotle: Τhe transition from mere living (ζην) to living well (ευ ζην) – funded by the Programme Support of Young Scientists (ΕΔΒΜ34), 2017-19.

Academic Advisor: Panagiotis Thanassas

Participants:

Dr. Despina-Eleni Konstantinidi
Dr. Dimitra Balla
Ioannis Alysandratos, Phd. Cand.

Activities and events:

  • 28-29.3.2018
    Postgraduate student and PhD candidate workshop
  • 28.3.2017, Lecture:
    Dennis Walter (Bonn), “Cicero’s use of the Stoic Concept of Cosmopolitanism”
  • 21.3.2018, Lecture:
    Demetris Portides (University of Cyprus), “The Concept of Critical Thinking within the Framework of Empiricism”
  • 25–26.5.2017, Symposium:
    Plato’s “Phaedo”
  • 26.4.2017, Symposium:
    Aris Alexandrou, hic et nunc
  • 26.4.2017, Lecture:
    Michalis Bartsidis (Hellenic Open University), “Imagination and internal limits in the philosophy of subjectivity”
  • 29.3.2017, Lecture:
    Christoph Horn (Bonn), “Which Constitution represents Aristotle’s Ideal City?”
  • 21.12.2016, Lecture:
    Panos Dimas (Oslo): “False Pleasures: Philebus 32d–42e”
  • 7–9.10.2016, Greek–Turkish Philosophy Conference (Humboldt–Kolleg):
    The Flight of the Owls. Ways of Reception of Ancient Greek Philosophy in Germany
  • 12.5.2016, Seminar:
    Modern Greek language as a material for poetry. Participants: Sotiria Kalasaridou and Dimitris Kokoris.
  • 11.5.2016, Lecture:
    Nikos Avgelis (Em. Prof., AUTH), “Philosophy and Literature: interpreting literature texts”