Professors Matt Flamm and Shawn Klein are heading this Spring’s Reading Group, which starts this Friday, January 28:

In The Birth of Tragedy (1872), Nietzsche analyzes artistic expression, focusing on Greek tragedy.  In On the Genealogy of Morals (1887) Nietzsche traces out the “origin of our moral prejudices,” identifying “slave morality” (exemplified by Christian values) and its opposite, “master morality” (exemplified by Ancient Greek and Roman values).

Each meeting will take place at the Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship office on the second floor of Burpee, from 3-4 pm. There will be light refreshments. A free copy of the book will be provided to participants. This group is open to all members of the college community.

Dates:

Jan 28: Introduction

Feb 11: Birth of Tragedy 1

Feb 25 Birth of Tragedy 2

Mar 18: Genealogy 1

Apr 8: Genealogy 2

Professors Shawn Klein and Matt Flamm are conducting a new reading group this semester on Plato’s works on the trial and death of Socrates. From the flyer:

In 399 BCE, Athens executed Socrates for impiety and corrupting the youth. Plato immortalized the trial and death of Socrates in his dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo. These are not merely historical dialogues, but philosophical treatises that examine the nature of piety, philosophy, justice, and death. The Reading Group will discuss each of these dialogues and the philosophical issues they raise.

Each meeting will take place at the Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship office on the second floor of Burpee, from 1-2pm. There will be light refreshments. A free copy of the book will be provided to participants.

Dates:
September 10: Overview and Introduction
September 17: Euthyphro
October 1: Apology
November 5: Crito
November 19: Phaedo

The Department of Philosophy and the Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship are sponsoring two new reading groups, which are open to all interested members of the Rockford College community.

The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smith. This group will meet from 1-2 pm in the CEE office on the second floor of Burpee on the following dates:

January 22
February 5
February 26
March 19
April 9
April 30
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The discussions will be led by Professor Shawn Klein, with Prof. Matthew Flamm. Also, there will be complementary snacks at each meeting!

Honor: A History by James Bowman. This group will meet from 6-7 pm in Scarborough 204 on the following dates:

February 9
February 23
March 16
March 30

The discussions will be led by Professors Stephen Hicks and Shawn Klein.
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Free copies of the books will be given to all who are interested in participating. Stop by the CEE office on the second floor of Burpee (open 9-5 weekdays) to pick up your free copy, or feel welcome to get one at the first meeting.

Also, view the PDFs of the Adam Smith group and the Honor group flyers.