Ancient Philosophy Society

Congratulations to Marina McCoy on the publication of her book, Plato on the Rhetoric of Philosophers and Sophists, with Cambridge University Press. 

From the catalogue entry on the Cambridge site, the description reads: n this book, Marina McCoy explores Plato’s treatment of the rhetoric of philosophers and sophists through a thematic treatment of six different Platonic dialogues, including Apology, Protagoras, Gorgias, Republic, Sophist, and Phaedrus. She argues that Plato presents the philosophers and the sophists as difficult to distinguish insofar as both use rhetoric as part of their arguments. Plato does not present philosophy as rhetoric-free but rather shows that rhetoric is an integral part of the practice of philosophy. However, the philosopher and the sophist are distinguished by the philosopher’s love of the forms as the ultimate objects of desire. It is this love of the forms that informs the philosopher’s rhetoric, which he uses to lead his partner to better understand his deepest desires. McCoy’s work is of interest to philosophers, classicists, and communications specialists alike in its careful yet comprehensive treatment of philosophy, sophistry, and rhetoric as portrayed through the drama of the dialogues.

Marina McCoy is assistant professor of philosophy at Boston College. A former National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, she has published articles in several journals, including Ancient Philosophy and Philosophy and Rhetoric.

We have just completed a very successful conference at the New School this year. The program is accessible in .pdf format here.  

The entire Society would like to thank the New School for its generous support and, in particular, Claudia Baracchi, for her excellent planning and tireless work to make this a stimulating, elegant and excellent conference.   She also had help from some excellent graduate students, including: David Craig, Daniel Restrepo, Christopher Roberts, Fanny Soderback, Meghan Robison, Naz Su Madenci and Jeffrey Golub.

Here is a picture of some of us at the Banquet on Saturday, April 12th. The photo is courtesy of Kalliopi Nikolopoulou of SUNY Buffalo. Thanks Kalliopi!