HPhil Seminar: December 14, 2023

The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2023/24 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists while also creating opportunities to emerging scholars, aiming to promote advanced studies in groundbreaking debates and the permanent training of its academic community.

In this session of the seminar, Anna Pavani (University of Cologne) will present a paper entitled “The Regimentation of (Tensed) Language. Timaeus’ Lesson”.

The session will take place on December 14, 2023 at 5 p.m., in the Room C201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). The entrance is free.

 

Abstract:

Right after the “definition of Time” (Tim. 37d5–7), Timaeus focuses on the way we do and should speak about what always is and what never is, but always changes. Timaeus warns us
that we say that the eternal Being was and is and will be, but according to the true account (kataton alêthê logon) only is befits it” (Tim. 37e6–38a1). By contrast, “was and will be are properly
said about Becoming that proceeds in Time” (Tim. 38a1–2). In this paper, I deal with Timaeus’ phenomenology of our ordinary language and its regimentation. I do so by focusing on the degree of accuracy (akribeia) required by what Timaeus himself classifies as an eikôs logos. Why does “is” befit only the eternal Being? If so, can we then address what “is” (such and such) here and now? Other passages in the Timaeus, such as the so-called “much-misread passage” (Tim. 49c7–50b5), as well as other dialogues, such as the Theaetetus, confirm that what strictly speaking never is, but always changes can be somehow addressed by means of our language – if regimented. For the task of the dialectician consists precisely in constantly testing if and how our language cuts reality at its joints (Phdr. 265e1–3).