Research

Projects

Text and Idea of Aristotle's Science of Living Things

The goal of this project is a new overall interpretation of Aristotle's science of living things. The project departs from the methodological interpretative approach that has dominated research on the so-called ‘psychological’ writings of Aristotle and in particular on his famous "De anima" in the last five decades, and according to which these writings belong to the philosophy of mind. Contrary to this trend, TIDA wants to show that De anima is not concerned with philosophy of mind as such, and that such an approach would, in fact, be alien to Aristotle's way of thinking; instead De anima is primarily concerned with the definition of a first principle of a much more comprehensive science of living things (humans, animals, and plants). TIDA aims to bring out how De anima and other writings share the explanatory work of scientifically explaining the phenomena of living things in order to then show what exactly Aristotle's science of living things has to say on the fundamental questions of philosophy of mind. How does Aristotle approach the questions and problems of philosophy of mind from his rather biological perspective?

Methodologically, TIDA consists in a philosophical-philological cooperation: Aristotle's treatise On the Soul (De anima) and related treatises should be subjected to a new and comprehensive philosophical interpretation; at the same time, the original Greek text of De anima is to be made accessible such that it adheres to the contemporary standards of textual criticism. TIDA is based on the belief that only the closest collaboration between philosophers and philologists leads to good and robust results. By the end of the project, there should be improved original texts and a new and more philosophically informative perspective on Aristotle's science of living things.

Link to the Project Site at the Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Center

Tübinger Platontage

The international “Tübinger Platon-Tage” are based on the idea of increasingly bringing back specialists' attention to Tübingen's rich Plato tradition, both at home and abroad, and stimulating them with new ideas from contemporary Plato research.

The “Tübinger Platon-Tage” take place every two years. The topics of the conferences are organized around overarching, central questions regarding Plato's Dialogues, but also aim to take into account the reception of Plato in the Imperial Era, Late Antiquity, and Renaissance.

Both renowned experts and younger researchers with relevant expertise from within Germany and abroad are invited. Moreover, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from Tübingen here have the opportunity to present their research results for a select audience of experts.

Students at the University of Tübingen are expressly invited to attend all talks, discussions and reading groups.