Schedule for Semester 2, 2025

29 July

Isis Urgell (Monash University)

TBA

TBA

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5 August

Tyler Paytas (Australian Catholic University)

If it Pleases the Gods: The Socratic Piety of Epictetus

Epictetus’ Stoicism is distinguished by the centrality of Socrates, who serves as both role model and authorizer of the core teachings in the Discourses. A second distinctive feature is Epictetus’ unique conception of piety and the central importance he assigns to this virtue. The primary aim of this paper is to elucidate Epictetian piety and its Socratic origins. Epictetian piety comprises three attitudes inspired by the life and teachings of Socrates: optimism, gratitude, and obedience. After outlining the nature and interrelations of these attitudes, I explain how Epictetian piety can be manifested independent of religious belief. I argue that this form of piety is a neglected virtue that can promote human flourishing and ethical living in a modern secular context.

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12 August

TBA (TBA)

TBA

TBA

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19 August

Simine Vazire (University of Melbourne)

Journal prestige can and should be earned

With prominent threats to trust in science around the world, it is especially important to make clear why scientific institutions, including journals, are worthy of trust. Too often, journals’ reputations are unearned—based on flawed metrics such as impact factors, or simply the inertia of prestige. But journal prestige can and should be earned. Journals that invest in and facilitate both pre- and post-publication quality checks, error detection, and correction are the ones that deserve the most trust, and the most prestige.

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26 August

TBA (TBA)

TBA

TBA

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2 September

Marc Cheong (University of Melbourne)

TBA

TBA

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9 September

TBA (TBA)

TBA

TBA

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16 September

TBA (TBA)

TBA

TBA

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23 September

[No meeting - Mid-semester break]

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30 September

[No meeting - Mid-semester break]

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7 October

Christopher Lean (Macquarie University)

TBA

TBA

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14 October

Cristian Larroulet Philippi (University of Melbourne)

TBA

TBA

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28 October

Wendy Higgins (Melbourne University)

Fine Attention, Broad Awareness: Avoiding the Cost of Ignorance

TBA

4 November

Joanne Faulkner (Macquarie University)

TBA

TBA