CBD 2019: Professor Grant Parker discusses Aristotle's Way: How ancient wisdom can change your life

Date
Tue October 29th 2019, 5:15 - 6:30pm
Event Sponsor
Stanford Department of Classics, Department of Medicine Stanford Prevention Research Center, Contemplation By Design
Location
Toyon Lounge, Toyon Hall, 455 Arguello Way, Stanford, CA 94305
CBD 2019: Professor Grant Parker discusses Aristotle's Way: How ancient wisdom can change your life

Discover how Aristotle can be a resource for your happiness. Professor Grant Parker, Stanford Dept. of  Classics, chair 2015-18, will explore Aristotle's practical ideas on virtue, work, friendship and happiness as portrayed in Edith Hall’s book Aristotle’s Way.

In a 2019 New York Times book review, John Kaag, professor of philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, wrote “Aristotelian life is...about identifying the particular talents or natural proclivities that each of us has, and then pursuing a path, consistently and deliberately, over the course of a life. This will make one deeply happy. Hall’s new book clears a rare middle way for her reader to pursue happiness, what the ancient Greeks called eudaimonia, usually translated as well-being or prosperity. This prosperity has nothing to do with the modern obsession with material success but rather 'finding a purpose in order to realize your potential and working on your behavior to become the best version of yourself.' Aristotle’s Way carefully charts the arc of a virtuous life that springs from youthful talent, grows by way of responsible decisions and self-reflection, finds expression in mature relationships, and comes to rest in joyful retirement and a quietly reverent death. Easier said than done, but Aristotle, Hall explains, is there to help.”

Grant Parker joined Stanford from Duke University in 2006. He teaches mostly Latin, as well as topics linked to the exotic and geographic elements of Roman imperial culture. His book, The Making of Roman India, was published in 2008, while new projects have addressed ancient travel literature as well as Rome's Egyptian obelisks. His interest in classical reception is reflected in his 2001 book, The Agony of Asar (critical edition of a former slave's defense of slavery, written in Latin [Leiden 1742]).

Free and open to Stanford Hosptial and LPCH employees and Stanford University faculty, students and staff and their families and community members. 

BeWell Berry is awarded to Univeristy faculty/staff for registered participation.