The VIII Symposium Platonicum, on the topic of Plato’s Philebus, was held in Dublin from July 23 – 28, 2007, under the auspices of the Dublin Centre for the Study of the Platonic Tradition, based in Trinity College, Dublin, but participated in also by colleagues from the Departments of Philosophy and Classics of University College Dublin, the National University of Ireland – Maynooth, and All Hallows College, Dublin. We are most grateful for the input of colleagues from all of these institutions, as well as for institutional support from the first two, specifically from the Trinity Association and Trust, the Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies Programme, and Department of Philosophy in TCD, and the Office of the Dean of Research and the Department of Philosophy in UCD.
The Organising Committee comprised : John Cleary (NUI-M) ; John Dillon (TCD) ; Brendan O’Byrne (TCD) ; Patrick Quinn (All Hallows) ; Fran O’Rourke (UCD) ; Vasilis Politis (TCD). We are also most grateful to graduate students Barry Dixon, Eleni Kaklamanou, and Carl O’Brien for providing much essential help both before and during the conference.
The conference was attended by approximately 180 people, including 152 full participants, graduate students (particularly from Italy), and some part-time attenders. The opening C.J. de Vogel lecture, held in the impressive surroundings of the Great Hall of Dublin Castle (made available by kind permission of the Taoiseach [Prime Minister], Bertie Ahern),, on the evening of July 23, was delivered by Professor Dorothea Frede of the University of Hamburg, on the topic ‘Life and its Limitations : the conception of happiness in the Philebus’, and was followed by a reception. Subsequent sessions were all held in the Arts Building of Trinity College Dublin, except for those of the
morning of Thursday, July 26, which were held in the fine surroundings of Newman House, a conference centre belonging to University College Dublin.
Excursions took place on the Wednesday afternoon (July 25) to the prehistoric site of Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, and to the monastic site of Glendalough in Co. Wicklow. The Banquet was held on Thurasday evening, in the Dining Hall of Trinity College, accompanied by traditional music from the distinguished piper Kevin Rowsome.
The conference expenses were broadly within budget, and a modest surplus was passed on the new organising committee in Tokyo.
Please see the documents containing the program.