'Empty is that philosopher's argument by which no human suffering is therapeutically treated. For just as there is no use in a medical art that does not cast out the sicknesses of the body, so too there is no use in philosophy, unless it casts out the suffering of the soul.' Epicurus

Explore the contemporary relevance of Plato's philosophy for love and the concept of love in all its manifestations. Examine the conflict between hedonistic and carnal love (Aphrodite) and platonic love (Socrates / The Stoics). Can they ever be reconciled through the intermediary of romantic love? An original play accompanies the talk and discussion. Written/produced by Edward Spence; Direction by Anna Messariti and Michael Bates; Performed by Nino Allessi, Fay Akrivou and Christopher Ryan.

Join the show's stars afterwards @ the Festival's Closing Party hosted by Miltons Restuarant.

Reviews:

"Edward Spence, who teaches at CSU, is a great booster for the Greek Stoics. As identity and personal authority are increasingly under threat from inscrutable forces, he argues, the Stoics can aid us by advancing the value of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. Virtue is, for the Stoics its own reward; in philosophical parlance, it's both necessary and sufficient for happiness, or eudaimonia." LUKE SLATTERY, The Australian, February 20, 2002.

"Edward Spence has a bold prediction: stoic philosophy is going to become the practical philosophy of everyday life for the new millennium" JACQUI TAFFEL, Sydney Morning Herald, February, 2-3, 2002.

"Philosophy, as Spence and others of his ilk see it, is an antidote to the incantations of postmodern theory - regarded by traditional academic philosophers as both unphilosophical and ideological. It's also more importantly, a bridge back to ancient notions that will not go away. Such as truth and goodness (Plato) and the art of living (the Stoics and Epicureans)." LUKE SLATTERY, The Australian, November 25, 1998.

Credits:

Edward Spence - Creator, writer and producer
Direction facilitated by Anna Messariti and Michael Bates
Nino Allessi, Fay Akrivou and Christopher Ryan - Performers

Additional Links:

www.sydneyoperahouse.com/thestudio/

www.csu.edu.au/faculty/arts/cappe/PhilosophyNights/
phi_nights.htm

Background:

Edward Spence (BA (Hons), PhD, Philosophy) first conceived of the Philosophy Plays project in 1997. Since its inception in 1997, there have been seven annual series. Each annual series is organised around a generic theme selected by Edward Spence.

The object of the Philosophy Plays is to introduce philosophy to the general public through philosophical presentations by professional philosophers incorporating drama. To this end the philosophy plays aim at making philosophy, and especially Western Philosophy, more accessible to the general public.

The Philosophy Plays has created a public domain for philosophy where relevant issues and topics of public interest and importance, such as love, immortality, happiness, friendship, religion, trust, and others, can be presented by professional philosophers and discussed in an open forum with members of the general public.

The philosophy plays, like Platonic dialogues, seek to engage their audiences both intellectually (primarily through the philosophical talk) and emotionally (primarily through the drama).
The philosophy plays always aim to be at once entertaining and informative but most importantly, transformative. For it is only through a personal and authentic transformation that the examined life as philosophy conceived as practical wisdom can become a way of life, a "viou techne"or the art of living.