Socrates’ Religion
with Cynthia Rutz
Kibbitznest Liberal Arts Discussions are a collaboration with
The University of Chicago Graham School
to host presentations and discussions of original research.
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In Athens in 399 BCE the famous Greek philosopher Socrates was put on trial and condemned to death for not believing in the gods of the state. But is he a complete atheist as his accuser believes? In his defense, Socrates says that he does believe in a “daimon” or a divine inner voice that tells him when he is about to do something wrong. Does he mean it, or is this more of Socrates’ famous irony? Does he really only believe in dialogue and inquiry? Or can a person believe in both revelation and reason? In this discussion we will talk about these questions and look at the evidence in Plato’s Dialogues for Socrates’ religious beliefs.
About CYNTHIA RUTZ:
CYNTHIA RUTZ received her PhD from the University of Chicago in 2013. Her dissertation topic is Shakespeare’s King Lear and its folktale analogues, a subject on which she has delivered several lectures. For several years she worked with Mortimer Adler on his Paideia Project, an education reform project which encourages high school and elementary school teachers to help students think critically through Great Books seminars and coaching. Her academic interests include mythology, folktales, Milton, Willa Cather, and ancient Greek philosophy and literature. She joined the Basic Program in 1991, serving as Staff Chair from 1999 to 2004, and is currently Director of Faculty Development at Valparaiso University.
FREE & OPEN to the public
Sponsor: Kibbitznest Books, Brews & Blarney
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