Profiles
Dirk Baltzly
Dirk Baltzly
Professor of Philosophy
Room 360 , Humanities
(03) 6226 7848 (phone)
Dirk Baltzly is Professor of Philosophy in the School of Humanities at the University of Tasmania. His area of specialisation is ancient Greek Philosophy, though he also does work in contemporary virtue ethics.
Biography
Dirk completed his first PhD in Philosophy at Ohio State University in 1992. Since then he has worked at King's College, London (1992-94) and Monash University (1994-2013). He has been a visiting fellow at the Institute of Classical Studies at the University of London (2000) and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton (2010-11). He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities (2008) in both the Philosophy and Classics sections. He is the 2021-22 President of the Australasian Academy of Humanities.
Career summary
Qualifications
- PhD, Classics, Monash University, October 2008
- PhD, Philosophy, The Ohio State University, USA August 1992
- MA, Philosophy, The Ohio State University, USA March 1988
- BA with Honors in Philosophy and History, The Ohio State University, USA August 1985
Memberships
Other
- Australasian Association for Philosophy
- Australasian Society for Classical Studies
- American Philosophical Association
- International Plato Society
Teaching
Pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, Stoics, Epicureans, Neoplatonism. Metaphysics, philosophy of mind, aesthetics, just war theory, ethics
Teaching expertise
- HPH104 Introductory Philosophy: Moral & Political Philosophy
- HPH207 The Right and the Good
- LAW181 Ethics, Social Responsibility & the Law
Like most philosophers, Dirk’s teaching expertise runs wider than his research specialisation. Across his career he has taught units in: critical thinking, metaphysics & epistemology, philosophy of religion, moral theory, military ethics, philosophy of art, and history of philosophy. In 2021 Dirk taught:
Research Appointments
- NEH-funded Member, Institute for Advanced Studies, Princeton, 2010–11
- Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Classical Studies, University of London, 2000
View more on Professor Dirk Baltzly in WARP
Expertise
- History of Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy
- Ethics
- Metaphysics
- Aesthetics
- Just War Theory
Collaboration
- Dirk has collaborated with Prof H. Tarrant on a number of edited volumes.
- Reading Plato in Antiquity, H. Tarrant and D. Baltzly (eds), Duckworth, 2006.
- Power and Pleasure, Virtue and Vice: Essays in Ancient Moral Philosophy, D. Baltzly, D. Blyth and H. Tarrant (eds), Prudentiasupplementary volume, Auckland, 2001 Harold Tarrant, Danielle Lane and François Renauld, Dirk Baltzly The Brill Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity (2017)
Awards
- Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities (2008)
Current projects
One of Dirk's projects is a 3-volume translation with notes of the only surviving commentary on Plato's Republic to survive from the ancient world. His collaborators on this project are Graeme Miles (UTAS, Classics) and Prof John Finamore (University of Iowa, USA). Vol 1 (2018), Vol 2 (2022), Vol 3 (2024).
Another project is a 3-volume translation with notes of the only surviving commentary on Plato's Phaedrus to survive from the ancient world. His collaborator on this project is Michael Share (UTAS). Hermias' On Plato's Phaedrus will appear in the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series, edited by Richard Sorabji and published by Bloomsbury. Vol 1 (2018), Vol 2 (2022), Vol 3 (2025).
Fields of Research
- History of philosophy (500208)
- Classical Greek and Roman history (430305)
- Religious studies (500499)
Research Objectives
- Religion (130599)
- Expanding knowledge in philosophy and religious studies (280119)
- Expanding knowledge in language, communication and culture (280116)
Publications
Dirk's recent publications generally fall into two categories: basic research and synthesis.
In the category of basic research there are translations, with introduction and notes, to philosophical works from late antiquity that have had no previous English translation. These are dense and difficult texts that presupposed an original audience well-versed not only in Philosophy, but also astronomy, astrology, poetry, mystery religions and mathematics. The simple act of making these texts accessible to modern readers requires a level of annotation that is generally about one third as long as the text translated. In the category of synthesis are articles evaluating the significance of ancient Platonism for philosophers now. Even if we cannot today believe the conclusions of these ancient philosophers, can we nonetheless learn something important from the complex ways in which teaching and the goal of personal transformation entered into their project?
Total publications
50
Highlighted publications
(7 outputs)| Year | Type | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Book | Baltzly D, Share M, 'Hermias: On Plato Phaedrus 227A-245E', Bloomsbury, United Kingdom, pp. 352. ISBN 9781350051904 (2018) [Authored Research Book] Co-authors: Share M | |
| 2018 | Book | Baltzly DC, Finamore J, Miles G, 'Proclus: Commentary On Plato's Republic, vol 1', Cambridge University Press, Australia, pp. xi + 385. ISBN 9781316650899 (2018) [Authored Research Book] DOI: 10.1017/9781316650899 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3 Co-authors: Miles G | |
| 2017 | Chapter in Book | Baltzly Dirk, 'The human life', All from one: a guide to Proclus, Oxford University Press, P D'Hoine and M Martijn (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 258-275. ISBN 9780199640331 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2014 | Journal Article | Baltzly DC, 'Plato's authority and the formation of textual communities', The Classical Quarterly, 64, (2) pp. 793-807. ISSN 0009-8388 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1017/S0009838814000500 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 10Web of Science - 9 | |
| 2013 | Book | Baltzly D, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus, part V - Proclus on Time and the Stars: A translation with notes and introduction', Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. xiii + 344. ISBN 9780521846585 (2013) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2009 | Book | Baltzly D, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus, part IV - Proclus on the World Soul. A translation with notes and introduction', Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. xv + 428. ISBN 9780521845960 (2009) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2007 | Book | Baltzly Dirk, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus, part III - Proclus on the World's Body. A translation with notes and introduction', Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. xiii + 428. ISBN 9780521845953 (2007) [Authored Research Book] |
Journal Article
(13 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Baltzly D, 'The starry heavens above (and within)', The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition, 16 pp. 1-9. ISSN 1872-5082 (2022) [Non Refereed Article] | |
| 2021 | Baltzly D, 'Jamming with the gods reflections on writing the history of late antique Platonism', Sophia, 60 pp. 225-231. ISSN 0038-1527 (2021) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2021 | Goddard E, Grant R, Tatman L, Baltzly D, Leon de la Barra B, et al., 'Women in Philosophy, Engineering & Theology: gendered disciplines and projects of critical re-imagination', Women's Studies International Forum, 86 Article 102479. ISSN 0277-5395 (2021) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1016/j.wsif.2021.102479 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Grant R; Tatman L; Leon de la Barra B; Black R | |
| 2017 | Baltzly D, 'The Skopos assumption: Its justification and function in the neoplatonic commentaries on Plato', International Journal of the Platonic Tradition, 11, (2) pp. 173-195. ISSN 1872-5082 (2017) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2017 | Bliss S, Baltzly D, Bull R, Dalton L, Jones J, 'A role for virtue in unifying the knowledge and caring' discourses in nursing theory', Nursing Inquiry, 24, (4) Article e12191. ISSN 1320-7881 (2017) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1111/nin.12191 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3Web of Science - 4 Co-authors: Bliss S; Bull R; Dalton L; Jones J | |
| 2016 | Baltzly DC, 'Divine Immutability for Henotheists', Sophia, 55 pp. 129-143. ISSN 1873-930X (2016) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11841-015-0472-2 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 1Web of Science - 2 | |
| 2015 | Baltzly Dirk, 'Two Aristotelian puzzles about planets and their Neoplatonic reception', Apeiron: a journal of ancient philosophy and science, 48, (4) pp. 483-501. ISSN 0003-6390 (2015) [Refereed Article] | |
| 2014 | Baltzly DC, 'Plato's authority and the formation of textual communities', The Classical Quarterly, 64, (2) pp. 793-807. ISSN 0009-8388 (2014) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1017/S0009838814000500 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 10Web of Science - 9 | |
| 2013 | Baltzly D, 'Proclus and Theodore of Asine on female philosopher-rulers: Patriarchy, metempsychosis, and women in the Neoplatonic commentary tradition', Ancient Philosophy, 33, (2) pp. 403-424. ISSN 0740-2007 (2013) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.5840/ancientphil201333229 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4 | |
| 2012 | Baltzly Dirk, 'An Octave of Straw'', Polis: the journal for ancient greek political thought, 29, (2) pp. 321-331. ISSN 0142-257X (2012) [Contribution to Refereed Journal] | |
| 2010 | Baltzly DC, 'Is Plato's Timaeus Panentheistic?', Sophia, 49, (2) pp. 193-215. ISSN 0038-1527 (2010) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1007/s11841-010-0170-z [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 3 | |
| 2009 | Baltzly DC, 'Gaia gets to know herself: Proclus on the self-perception of the cosmos', Phronesis, 54 pp. 261-285. ISSN 0031-8868 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.1163/156852809X441331 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 4Web of Science - 2 | |
| 2009 | Baltzly DC, 'Mereological modes of being in Proclus', Ancient Philosophy, 28, (2) pp. 395-411. ISSN 0740-2007 (2009) [Refereed Article] DOI: 10.5840/ancientphil200828223 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3 |
Book
(11 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Baltzly D, Share M, 'Hermias on Plato Phaedrus 245E - 257C', Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, United Kingdom, pp. 256. ISBN 9781350051928 (2022) [Authored Research Book] Co-authors: Share M | |
| 2022 | Baltzly DC, Finamore J, Miles GRI, Miles G, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's 'Republic', Vol 2', Cambridge University Press, Australia, pp. 1-434. ISBN 9781316650912 (2022) [Authored Research Book] DOI: 10.1017/9781316650899 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3 Co-authors: Miles GRI; Miles G | |
| 2018 | Baltzly D, Share M, 'Hermias: On Plato Phaedrus 227A-245E', Bloomsbury, United Kingdom, pp. 352. ISBN 9781350051904 (2018) [Authored Research Book] Co-authors: Share M | |
| 2018 | Baltzly D, Share M, 'Hermias On Plato Phaedrus 227A - 245E', Bloomsbury, United Kingdom, pp. 316. ISBN 9781350051881 (2018) [Authored Research Book] Co-authors: Share M | |
| 2018 | Baltzly DC, Finamore J, Miles G, 'Proclus: Commentary On Plato's Republic, vol 1', Cambridge University Press, Australia, pp. xi + 385. ISBN 9781316650899 (2018) [Authored Research Book] DOI: 10.1017/9781316650899 [eCite] [Details] Citations: Scopus - 3 Co-authors: Miles G | |
| 2018 | Tarrant H, Layne DA, Baltzly D, Renaud F, 'Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity', Koninklijke Brill NV, Netherlands, pp. 682. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2018) [Edited Book] | |
| 2013 | Baltzly D, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus, part V - Proclus on Time and the Stars: A translation with notes and introduction', Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. xiii + 344. ISBN 9780521846585 (2013) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2009 | Baltzly D, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus, part IV - Proclus on the World Soul. A translation with notes and introduction', Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. xv + 428. ISBN 9780521845960 (2009) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2007 | Baltzly Dirk, 'Proclus: Commentary on Plato's Timaeus, part III - Proclus on the World's Body. A translation with notes and introduction', Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. xiii + 428. ISBN 9780521845953 (2007) [Authored Research Book] | |
| 2006 | Tarrant H, Baltzly Dirk, 'Reading Plato in Antiquity', Bloomsbury Publishing, United Kingdom, pp. 278. ISBN 9780715634554 (2006) [Edited Book] | |
| 2001 | Baltzly Dirk, Blyth D, Tarrant H, 'Power and Pleasure, Virtue and Vice: Essays in Ancient Moral Philosophy', University of Auckland * Department of Classics and Ancient History, New Zealand, pp. 300. (2001) [Edited Book] |
Chapter in Book
(22 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Baltzly D, 'The Myth of Er and Female Guardians in Proclus' Republic Commentary', Women and the Female in Neoplatonism, Brll, J Schultz and J Wilberding (ed), Leiden, pp. 104-121. ISBN 9789004510463 (2022) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2020 | Baltzly D, 'Journeys in Plato's Phaedrus: Hermias' Reading of the Walk to the Ilissus', Studies in Hermias' Commentary on Plato's Phaedrus, Koninklijke Brill NV, JF Finamore, CP Manolea and S Klitenic Wear (ed), Leiden, pp. 7-24. ISBN 9789004414310 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2020 | Baltzly D, 'The World Soul in Proclus' Timaeus commentary', World Soul - Anima Mundi: on the origins and fortunes of a fundamental idea, De Gruyter, Helmig C (ed), Germany, pp. 364. ISBN 9783110628463 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2020 | Baltzly D, 'Civic Virtues and the Goal of Likeness to God in Proclus' Republic Commentary', Eastern Christianity and Late Antique Philosophy, Brill, E Anagnostou-Laoutides and K Parry (ed), Leiden, Netherlands, pp. 197-217. ISBN 9789004411883 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2020 | Baltzly D, Gardiner Q, 'Hermias on the Unity of the Phaedrus', Studies in Hermias' Commentary on Plato's Phaedrus, Brill, JF Finamore, CP Manolea and S Klitenic Wear (ed), Leiden, The Netherlands, pp. 68-83. ISBN 978-90-04-41431-0 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.1163/9789004414310_007 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Gardiner Q | |
| 2020 | Baltzly D, Miles G, 'Der Spiegel der Seele. Architektonische Ekphrasis in antiken Quellen', Betrachtungen der Architektur: Versuche in Ekphrasis, transcript-Verlag, T Kammasch (ed), Germany, pp. 35-45. ISBN 9783839449943 (2020) [Research Book Chapter] DOI: 10.14361/9783839449943 [eCite] [Details] Co-authors: Miles G | |
| 2018 | Tarrant H, Layne DA, Baltzly D, Renaud F, 'Introduction', Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity, Koninklijke Brill NV, H Tarrant, DA Layne, D Baltzly, and F Renaud (ed), Netherlands, pp. 1-7. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2018) [Other Book Chapter] | |
| 2018 | Tarrant H, Layne DA, Baltzly D, Renaud F, 'Introduction: The Old Academy to Cicero', Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity, Koninklijke Brill NV, H Tarrant, DA Layne, D Baltzly, and F Renaud (ed), Netherlands, pp. 10-27. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2018) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2018 | Tarrant H, Layne DA, Baltzly D, Renaud F, 'Introduction: Early Imperial Reception of Plato', Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity, Koninklijke Brill NV, H Tarrant, DA Layne, D Baltzly, and F Renaud (ed), Netherlands, pp. 92-99. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2018) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2018 | Tarrant H, Layne DA, Baltzly D, Renaud F, 'Introduction: Early Christianity and Late Antique Platonism', Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity, Koninklijke Brill NV, H Tarrant, DA Layne, D Baltzly, and F Renaud (ed), Netherlands, pp. 252-269. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2018) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2017 | Baltzly D, 'Amelius and Theodore of Asine', Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity, Koninklijke Brill NV, H Tarrant, DA Layne, D Baltzly, and F Renaud (ed), Netherlands, pp. 383-399. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2017 | Baltzly D, Kennett J, 'Intimate Relations: Friends and Lovers', Love, Reason and Morality, Routledge, Kroeker EE and Schaubroeck K (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 110-124. ISBN 978-1138941717 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2017 | Baltzly Dirk, 'The human life', All from one: a guide to Proclus, Oxford University Press, P D'Hoine and M Martijn (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 258-275. ISBN 9780199640331 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2017 | Tarrant H, Baltzly D, 'Hermias: On Plato's Phaedrus', Brill's Companion to the Reception of Plato in Antiquity, Koninklijke Brill NV, H Tarrant, DA Layne, D Baltzly, and F Renaud (ed), Netherlands, pp. 486-497. ISBN 978-90-04-27069-5 (2017) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2016 | Baltzly D, 'The ethics of celestial physics in late antique Platonism', Soma [SO ]: Korperkonzepte und korperliche Existenz in der antiken Philosophie und Literatur, Meiner Felix Verlag, Buchheim T, Meissner D and Wachsmann N (ed), Hamburg, pp. 183-197. ISBN 978-3787329281 (2016) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2016 | Baltzly DC, 'Transformations of Pythagorean Wisdom and Psychic ασκηις in Proclus' Timaeus Commentary', Pythagorean knowledge from the Ancient to the Modern World: Askesis, Religion, Science, Harrassowitz Verlag, Renger A-B and Stavru A (ed), Germany, pp. 199-210. ISBN 9783447105941 (2016) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2014 | Baltzly DC, 'The Stoics', Simple Living in History: Pioneers of the Deep Future, Simplicity Institute, Samuel Alexander and Amanda McLeod (ed), Australia, pp. 37-44. ISBN 9780987588494 (2014) [Other Book Chapter] | |
| 2012 | Baltzly Dirk, 'Dialectic', Continuum Companion to Plato, Continuum, GA Press (ed), London, pp. 159-61. ISBN 9780826435354 (2012) [Other Book Chapter] | |
| 2009 | Baltzly DC, 'Proclus', A History of Western Philosophy of Religion: Volume I - Ancient Philosophy and Religion, Equinox, G Oppy and N Trakakis (ed), United States, pp. 263-276. ISBN 9780195394283 (2009) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2009 | Baltzly DC, 'High Philosophy', The Oxford Handbook of Hellenic Studies, Oxford University Press, G Boyes-Stones, B Graziosi, and P Vasunia (ed), United Kingdom, pp. 530-540. ISBN 9780199286140 (2009) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2009 | Baltzly DC, Eliopoulos N, 'The Classical Ideals of Friendship', Friendship: a history, Acumen and Oxford University Press, B Caine (ed), United States, pp. 1-64. ISBN 978-1845531973 (2009) [Research Book Chapter] | |
| 2008 | Baltzly DC, Shortridge A, 'Antiphon', The Sophists: An Introduction, Duckworth, P O'Grady (ed), London, pp. 83-92. ISBN 978-0715636954 (2008) [Research Book Chapter] |
Review
(2 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Baltzly D, 'THE DEMIURGE - O'Brien (C.S.) The Demiurge in Ancient Thought. Secondary Gods and Divine Mediators', The Classical Review (2016) [Review Single Work] | |
| 2016 | Baltzly D, 'Second Sailing: Alternative Perspectives on Plato, Helsinki: Societas Scientiarum Fennica, 2015', Australasian Journal of Philosophy (2016) [Other Review] |
Entry
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Baltzly D, 'Proclus', The Encyclopedia of Philosophy of Religion, S Goetz and C Taliaferro (ed), USA (2021) [Entry] |
Other Public Output
(1 outputs)| Year | Citation | Altmetrics |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Baltzly D, 'The Humanities in Service of Empire', Humanities Australia, Australian Academy of the Humanities, Australia, 11 (2020) [Magazine Article] |
Grants & Funding
The Republic of the Demiurge: textual communities and the commentary tradition in late antique Platonism, Australian Research Council, 2012–15. $265,000. This project applies the notion of textual communities to the Platonic schools of late antiquity.
Plato's Myth Voice: the identification and interpretation of inspired speech in Plato. Australian Research Council, 2012–14. $292,000. In collaboration with Rick Benitez, Harold Tarrant and others. This project uses recent discoveries about the language of ancient myths, oracles and allegories to understand similar discourse in Plato and the Platonic tradition. Academies Under Stress: the Reinvention and Survival of the Platonist Schools, 360 BC – 565 CE. Australian Research Council, 2009–2011. $211,000. In collaboration with Harold Tarrant, Rick Benitez, Francois Renaud and Julius Rocca. This project examines the way in which the understanding of Platonism adapted to changing cultural contexts in late antiquity.
Funding Summary
Number of grants
5
Total funding
Projects
- Description
- This project brings together representatives of all three disciplines to work on identifying parallels/similarities and differences between the three cases that emerge when we look at these three separate and disconnected literatures in conjunction. Our primary research question is: 'Does the radical diagnosis of philosophical reason as itself gendered (cf. Dodds & Goddard, 2013) find any parallels in the literature on women's under-representation in Engineering and Theology and Religious Studies? Or are these disciplines still dominated by 'chilly climate' or 'pipeline' diagnoses that were previously the norm in Philosophy?'
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($3,800)
- Scheme
- Grant-CAL Hothouse Research Enhancement Program
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Baltzly DC; Goddard EMC; Tatman LA
- Year
- 2018
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($16,950)
- Scheme
- Contract Research
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Baltzly DC
- Period
- 2017 - 2019
- Description
- The ancient notion that the goal of living an ethical life was 'becoming like god' can seem particularly remote and strange to our secular age. Nonetheless, this is a pervasive idea at least from Plato (5th-4th centuries BC) throughout antiquity and into Christianity and Islam. My proposed project is part of a broader attempt to understand what this idea meant to a range of ancient thinkers: Christians, Jews, Muslims and pagans, some with a belief in a non-material reality, others materialists. To understandthis on the ancients' own terms contributes to our understanding of ancient religion and philosophy, and the legacy of ancient thought in the present day. It contributes a deeper understanding of the natureof philosophy and of an ethical life, and of the changing concepts of divinity across cultures and religions.
- Funding
- University of Tasmania ($11,684)
- Scheme
- Grant-Research Enhancement (REGS)
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Miles GRI; Baltzly DC
- Year
- 2016
- Description
- Using new evidence for the interpretation of mythical, oracular, and religious discourse since 430BC we will examine such discourse in the myths and 'inspired' passages of Plato, focussing particularly on differences from standard argumentative discourse. We aim to discover the philosophical and practical significance, for the Platonic community, of discourse that asserts superiority over logic while challenging listeners to grasp its deeper meaning. We consider how far later Platonists could recognise Plato's myth voice as the vestiges of an oral society founded on myth-telling progressively faded, and whether the decline of allegorical traditions led to basic misunderstandings in the interpretation of Plato today.
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($292,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Discovery Projects
- Administered By
- University of Sydney
- Research Team
- Benitez E; Kindt J; Baltzly DC; Johnson M; Tarrant H
- Period
- 2012 - 2014
- Grant Reference
- DP120102425
- Description
- This project has two main aims. First, it will further advance our knowledge of late antique Platonism (200-600 CE) by producing a translation and commentary on a significant and difficult ancient Greek text from the period - Proclus' Commentary on Plato's Republic. Second, it will produce a book of an interdisciplinary nature that seeks to make the study of late antique Platonism more relevant to contemporary philosophy. This book will analyse the Platonic schools as textual communities and will argue that both the form and content of the neoplatonic commentary tradition makes sense when we understand the role their written works play in maintaining textual communities.
- Funding
- Australian Research Council ($265,000)
- Scheme
- Grant-Discovery Projects
- Administered By
- University of Tasmania
- Research Team
- Baltzly DC
- Period
- 2012 - 2014
- Grant Reference
- DP120102158
Research Supervision
Dirk has supervised 18 successful MA and PhD theses since 1994. Some examples include
- Fiona Leigh (PhD, Monash), Being as Power: a reading of Plato's Sophist (2007). Leigh is now senior lecturer in Philosophy at University College London.
- Craig Barrie (PhD, Monash), Plato on Educating Citizens (2014).
- Anuradi Jayasinghe (MA, Monash), Art and Education in the Ideal City: the fifth essay of Proclus' In Platonis rem publicam commentarii (2014).
In addition to topics in ancient philosophy, Dirk has supervised projects in aesthetics, moral psychology and ethics. He welcomes expressions of interest from new MA or PhD students in any of these areas.
Current
6
Completed
2
Current
| Degree | Title | Commenced |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | The Origin and Role of Pre-socratic Philosophic Text: Aletheia and Askesis | 2017 |
| PhD | Change is on the Horizon: Shifting attitudes toward divinisation in Second to Third Century biography and their later reception | 2018 |
| PhD | Making the Doing of a PhD: bureaucratic compliance as mystical participation | 2018 |
| PhD | Professional Codes of Ethics: The development of the Taxonomy of Ethics | 2018 |
| PhD | A Cosmic Paradigm for Justice: Philo of Alexandria and Proclus | 2018 |
| PhD | A Secular Encounter with Holiness: ritual atheism, imaginative engagement in religious practice | 2020 |
Completed
| Degree | Title | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Proteus and Poikilia. The Influence of Philostratus the Elder on the Dionysiaca of Nonnus of Panopolis, with Particular Emphasis on Ekphrastic and Metamorphic Elements Candidate: John Charles Pickstone | 2021 |
| PhD | Centaurs, Sophists and Satire: Hybridity in the Works of Lucian of Samosata Candidate: Megan Campbell Abel | 2018 |