Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
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In Spec. 3.1-6 the Jewish-Hellenistic philosopher Philo of Alexandria (20 BCE-49 CE) describes the ascent of the soul to heavens to "see God", a topic well-known from Plato. Philo, however, does...Show moreIn Spec. 3.1-6 the Jewish-Hellenistic philosopher Philo of Alexandria (20 BCE-49 CE) describes the ascent of the soul to heavens to "see God", a topic well-known from Plato. Philo, however, does not only use the concept for reasons of epistemology, but also to reflect about a personal experience that some scholars have labelled as a "mystic experience" and which had a tremendous impact on later neo-Platonic and Christian literature. The thesis explores several aspects of the passage, comparing its epistemological relevance by looking at its Platonic base, while a striking Ciceronian parallel allows reflection on the human aspects and a philosopher's duty between otium and negotium. The main question of this thesis’ "close reading" of the selected texts is "how does Philo as Jewish-Hellenistic thinker evaluate the role of God and human beings regarding seeing God?". In sum, this thesis presents an extensive contextualising discussion of Philo of Alexandria’s claim about heavenly ascent. By putting an emphasis on the distinct Philonian preoccupations and motivation, this thesis attempts to arrive at a novel way of understanding Spec. 3.1-6Show less
In recent years, the philosophy of Iris Murdoch has seen a rise in attention, both from philosophers who seek to use elements from her philosophy for their ethical theories, and from those more...Show moreIn recent years, the philosophy of Iris Murdoch has seen a rise in attention, both from philosophers who seek to use elements from her philosophy for their ethical theories, and from those more directly interested in understanding her metaphysics. These latter authors have often either criticised or tried to solve the ambiguity of the metaphysical status of the idea of the Good in her writing. I, too, address the problems in her metaphysics: in what sense does Good exist for Murdoch, and is she able to offer a ‘sophisticated’ form of realism? My theses are, first, that Good, for Murdoch, is a transcendental element in consciousness, i.e., a condition of possibility for the experience of the world, and an ideal end point suggested by experience. To answer the second question I will argue that once Good is read as I argue for, and its role in knowing reality is understood, it becomes clear that Murdoch’s view does not fall into subjectivism or any other form of idealism. Important in this account is love, which, attracted by Good, motivates the work needed for a better grasp of the world.Show less
Based on the interpretations of Plato, Epicurus and Augustine, it is not possible to clarify Socrates’ death with one solid answer. Therefore, it is necessary to return to Frey’s interpretation of...Show moreBased on the interpretations of Plato, Epicurus and Augustine, it is not possible to clarify Socrates’ death with one solid answer. Therefore, it is necessary to return to Frey’s interpretation of suicide. With the explanation of Frey’s other-inflicted suicide it is possible to make sense of Socrates’ death. Socrates has placed himself knowingly and willingly in a position where he had to die. Because he manipulated the state, he was forced to drink the hemlock. This approach of hurting himself cannot be seen as a rejection of the gods, yet he can achieve his desired premature death. It is possible to solve the discrepancy in Phaedo about Socrates’ death with the clarification that Socrates has committed other-inflicted suicide.Show less
If one looks at love in popular culture one sees that the current attitude towards love is one of idolatry. This thesis explains what this popular conception of love is (largely) based on. Current...Show moreIf one looks at love in popular culture one sees that the current attitude towards love is one of idolatry. This thesis explains what this popular conception of love is (largely) based on. Current love has its roots in Christianity and thus, by extension, Platonic thought. This thesis therefore examines some of the most essential characteristics of love in Christianity. These characteristics help to analyze the resemblance between love in Christianity and love in popular culture. Furthermore this thesis explores whether or not popular love could have been born out of ancient Greek philosophy or that these resemblances between popular and Christian love come from the fact that both schools are simply right about the nature of love. It is for that reason that this thesis briefly examines the potential heritage (of love) between Christianity and ancient Greece. Moreover, while it is impossible to prove that Christianity and popular culture are not right about love, this thesis provides a secular conceptualization of love which does not share the previously mentioned essential characteristics. This conceptualization ‘love as bestowal and affirmation’ is deeply rooted in the works of Singer, May and Nietzsche and will provide a secular view on love. This to show that it is possible to create a probably conceptualization of love completely separate from the Christian framework.Show less
In his dialogue Meno, Plato compares the finding of a mathematical theorem (that of “doubling the square”) to an initiation into the mysteries, and to other decidedly unscientific phenomena such as...Show moreIn his dialogue Meno, Plato compares the finding of a mathematical theorem (that of “doubling the square”) to an initiation into the mysteries, and to other decidedly unscientific phenomena such as the remigration of souls, remembrance (anamnêsis), and divine madness. The present MA-thesis explains how this comparison between mathematics and the mysterious is not simply allegorical, but issues from Socrates’ peculiar treatment of mathematics, which does not follow the axiomatic-deductive method and order of rigorous proof, but seizes on misleading thought tendencies, the apparent transparency of colloquial Greek, opaque features of diagrams (especially concerning the constructibility of √2), and the avoidance of technical vocabulary.Show less
The thesis proposes a perspective on contemporary visual arts through the viewpoint of Plato’s notion of χώρα (chôra) – a concept, which in Plato’s philosophy is defined as a third kind of being...Show moreThe thesis proposes a perspective on contemporary visual arts through the viewpoint of Plato’s notion of χώρα (chôra) – a concept, which in Plato’s philosophy is defined as a third kind of being and is designated as a space between the World of Being and the World of Becoming, necessary for the world to originate and become manifested. The text engages with the idea of χώρα in Plato’s dialogue Timaeus, the understanding of the concept in contemporary thought in the work of the philosophers Jacques Derrida and Julia Kristeva, and investigates two distinct yet interconnected artworks – HAEM Blood Bound (2016) by Cecilia Jonsson and Cracks in Time (2009) by Michal Rovner, through the viewpoint of χώρα. In the text, art is considered equal to χώρα, as, it is argued, approaching the main features of Plato’s receptacle – the crucial aspects of ontology, motility and ‘in-betweenness’ as art characteristics could enable a rediscovery of the significance of the messages it implies for contemporary society. In this manner the research offers a different approach towards art, a prospect for widening its understanding, which, in turn, would allow examining its role and disclosing what it can contribute to the societal issues of the present-day world.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
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Desiderius Erasmus is known for his famous and influential works. In the 16th century he became one of the greatest humanists in Northern Europe. His publication of the revised version of the New...Show moreDesiderius Erasmus is known for his famous and influential works. In the 16th century he became one of the greatest humanists in Northern Europe. His publication of the revised version of the New Testament in Greek in 1516 meant a revolutionary breakthrough in the field of theology. During the age of Renaissance humanist intellectuals shared thoughts and influenced each other in many ways. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to the general understanding of scholasticism and humanism as its successor and to demonstrate some of the most distinguished charges against Erasmus. The Dutch scholar was able to make friends and also enemies with his sometimes revolutionary thoughts. Four important figures form the points of discussion: Alberto Pio III, Diego López de Zúñiga, Noël Beda and Julius Caesar Scaliger. By looking at these reactions and relating them to each other, one gets a clear picture of the various accents within the controversies.Show less
Master thesis | Classics and Ancient Civilizations (MA)
open access
This MA thesis attempts to detect as much as possible democratic and undemocratic features in the Laws of Plato. At the next stage there is a comprehensive analysis on how and why these features...Show moreThis MA thesis attempts to detect as much as possible democratic and undemocratic features in the Laws of Plato. At the next stage there is a comprehensive analysis on how and why these features could be characterized as democratic or undemocratic. In the end of the thesis there is a concise comparison of Magnesia with democratic Athens and also with Callipolis, the ideal society from the Republic of Plato. Finally there is an attempt to decribe the political color of Magnesia.Show less
