Research summary
Philosophy can be traced back to the sixth century B.C., when the first scientists of Western history, the pre-Socratics, advanced revolutionary theories. Even though these philosophers developed their theories thousands of years ago, they continue to offer valuable perspectives to help us better understand the world we live in today. As Canada Research Chair in Ancient Philosophy, Dr. Rachel Barney is sharing her knowledge of these philosophers by completing three books.
The first book will explore how the pre-Socratic Greek philosopher Protagoras pioneered central methods of philosophical argument and influential ideas in ethics and political philosophy. Her second book will be based on her Wallace Lectures series about the contemporary value of politics in Plato’s Republic. The third book will adapt Barney’s Tanner Lectures at UC Berkeley, which discuss the concept of craft (technê) and its relevance to contemporary ethics.