This volume, the 38th year of published proceedings, contains four papers and commentaries presented to the Boston Area Colloquium in Ancient Philosophy during 2023. Topics: Theophrastus’s interpretation of De Anima III 5 defended against the traditional readings; a new interpretation of Empedocles’ cosmology, aiming to deflect Aristotle’s criticism; analysis of the role of Adeimantus in Plato’s Republic, arguing that he is responsible for the turn to politics in the dialogue; explication of Metaphysics book Epsilon, in which Aristotle argues for the necessity of a first philosophy beyond physics. The commentators subject each paper to critical review, and they support, challenge, or reject what they find.
Gary M. Gurtler, S.J., is Professor of Philosophy at Boston College. He has published on ancient philosophy, including three books, most recently From the Alien to the Alone: A Study of Soul in Plotinus (2022) as well as articles and reviews in various scholarly journals.
Daniel P. Maher, PhD (1997, Boston College) is Professor of Philosophy at Assumption University. He has published on ancient philosophy and other topics in journals such as Review of Metaphysics, Logos, Interpretation, Hermathena, Society, and Proceedings of the ACPA.
All those interested in recent scholarship within different traditions of interpretation in ancient philosophy and classics, including scholars and graduate students.