James Garvey on "The Story of Philosophy"

Thursday 07 June 2012
18:00 to 19:30

With Jeremy Stangroom, James Garvey, editor of The Philosophers' Magazine, has recently written a lavishly illustrated history of western thought for the general reader, and this evening he will be talking about the book and the impact of philosophers' lives:

"How much bearing should the lives of philosophers have on our interpretations of them?" he asks. " It’s said that Thales fell into a ditch while stargazing.  Aquinas paced back and forth between scribes, dictating the lines of separate philosophical treatises to them at the same time. Kant held carefully organized house parties, with time allocated to political discussion and the telling of amusing anecdotes. Schopenhauer pushed a woman down a flight of stairs. Suicide runs in the Wittgenstein family. 
 
Does biography matter, when it comes to understanding what a philosopher said?  

To flip that question around, how much bearing should philosophy have on our own lives?  There’s some interesting new research that suggests, as a matter of fact, philosophy doesn’t shape our lives much at all.  But should it?"

Kingston Philosophy Cafe hasn't looked much at the history of philosophy or the role of biography, though we have occaionally argued about philosophy as a guide to life - so this should be a useful and interesting evening for both experts and beginners.

Bridges evening entrance is from Kingston riverside, next to The Gazebo pub. Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6.00pm prompt start. 

Location
Bridges cafe, Kingston Riverside
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey
KT1 1PH
(view map)
Cost Free, but donations welcome. There may be books for sale too.

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