Philosophy Research Seminar - Fiona Ellis

Fiona Ellis (Heythrop College)

Desire and the Platonist tradition

Abstract:

How are we to comprehend Plato's conception of desire? And is the position defensible? I shall respond to some familiar objections, and argue that there are good reasons for taking seriously his idea that desire is a mode of cognition. I shall draw out some implications for an understanding of the 'ladder of love' and the envisaged spiritual ascent.