CONF: Teleology in the Ancient World. The Dispensation of Nature

Venue: The University of Exeter, 8-11 July 2009

Organisers: Dr. Julius Rocca and Prof. Christopher Gill

An international conference which will discuss the ways teleological arguments were used in medicine and philosophy in antiquity, and how these arguments have continued to inform and influence current debate on evolution, creationism, and intelligent design. As well as examining philosophical contributions to the subject, ranging from Platonism to Stoicism, a special aim of the conference is to show how ancient medical thinking on this topic relates to ancient philosophical ideas. Examining teleological methodologies in ancient medical thought from Hippocrates to Galen will offer a critical evaluation on the place of teleology within medical science, its cultural contexts, its account of human development, and teleological responses to competing explanatory theories of human structure and function.

Keynote speaker Professor David Sedley, University of Cambridge, “Socrates’ place in the history of teleology.”

Other speakers include: Elizabeth Craik, University of St. Andrews; John Dillon, Trinity College, Dublin; Rebecca Flemming, University of Cambridge; R. J. Hankinson, The University of Texas at Austin; M.R. Johnson, University of California, San Diego; Mariska Leunissen, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri; Jan Opsomer, University of Cologne; Mark Schiefsky, Harvard University; Samuel Scolnicov, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; R.W. Sharples, University College London; Harold Tarrant, University of Newcastle, Australia; Philip van der Eijk, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.

For further information, including accommodation and conference booking, please contact:

Dr Julius Rocca or Professor Chris Gill,

Department of Classics and Ancient History,

University of Exeter,

Amory Building,

Rennes Drive,

Exeter, EX4 4RJ,

UK

J.S.C.Rocca@exeter.ac.uk

C.J.Gill@exeter.ac.uk