November 20, 2006
Ethics Scholar to Lecture at Clark on Plato's Anti-Hedonism
Worcester, Mass. - The Philosophy Department at Clark University will present "Plato's Anti-Hedonism," a lecture by Assistant Professor Matt Evans, of the University of New York, 7 p.m. Thursday, December 7, in the Jefferson Academic Center, Room 218.
Professor Evans will speak on a neglected passage in Plato's Philebus. These forgotten words provide a fascinating and powerful argument against Hedonism, which is the widely-held view that, at least sometimes, an action is justified simply because it is pleasant.
Professor Evans is the author of "Can Epicureans Be Friends?" He has two areas of research: ethics and the history of ancient philosophy. His current research explores possible applications of ancient Greek ethical theories in contemporary debates about the moral status of mental states and the norms of practical reasoning.
Professor Evans received his Ph.D. in 2004 from the University of Texas. He also received his B.A. in religion from Vassar College.
The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is co-hosted by the Clark University Departments of Philosophy. Verity Harte, professor of Philosophy and Classics at Yale University, will provide commentary on Evans's lecture.
For more information, contact the Philosophy Department, 508-793-7414.