This book explores the discursive interrelation between the fields of philosophy, sophistry and r... more This book explores the discursive interrelation between the fields of philosophy, sophistry and rhetoric in the High Roman Empire. Through a discussion of twelve Imperial intellectuals, the author offers a bottom-up reconstruction of the various paradigms of philosophical and intellectual self-fashioning. A second part deals with Maximus of Tyre's place in this complex discursive minefield, and aims to revalue his dialexeis as an interesting source for our understanding of the negotiation of power and authority implicit in popular branches of ancient philosophy.
This paper offers a psychological (largely Lacanian) reading of Athenaeus' Dinner of the Sophists... more This paper offers a psychological (largely Lacanian) reading of Athenaeus' Dinner of the Sophists. The almost exclusive attention to the verbal signifiers seems symptomatic for Imperial culture's obsession with language and cultivated self-representation. It is argued that the narcissistic embrace of sophisticated self-display may obstruct a 'real' experience of the food at the dinner table.
In Materiali e discussioni per l'analisi dei testi classici, Sep 1, 2015
This paper argues for the occurrence of narcissistic character traits in Philostratus' Life of Po... more This paper argues for the occurrence of narcissistic character traits in Philostratus' Life of Polemo of Laodicea. Moreover, it is argued that this narcissism is shaped and in a way legitimated by the specific conditions of Second Sophistic speech delivery.
systems oF soPhistry and PhilosoPhy the case oF the second soPhistic Personen können nicht ohne s... more systems oF soPhistry and PhilosoPhy the case oF the second soPhistic Personen können nicht ohne soziale Systeme entstehen und bestehen, und das gleiche gilt umgekehrt.
Rabaté enjoys his temporary stay in Leuven, Belgium. Despite a marathon four-hour session teachin... more Rabaté enjoys his temporary stay in Leuven, Belgium. Despite a marathon four-hour session teaching a specialised course in literary theory earlier in the afternoon, Rabaté looks impressively lucid and ready to answer our questions -"the hours around and after midnight are my best," he confesses. Very calm and relaxed, at times thoughtfully staring in his glass of brandy, Rabaté talks about his work, literature, psychoanalysis and the American "I-like-your-shirt" syndrome.
This paper highlights some tendencies in Imperial Greek literature which are intertwined with the... more This paper highlights some tendencies in Imperial Greek literature which are intertwined with the transfer from book reading to the reproduction of knowledge. It is argued that the tense competition for the title of pepaideumenos probably motivated the popular sophists of this age to develop a functional way of dealing with literature and culture, which quite self-evidently led to processes of canonization and epitomization. In conclusion, these dynamics of the oral performance of literature and culture might invite us to reconsider the place of literature in Imperial Greece, the influence of the oral performative climate on other sorts of literature and the function of Second Sophistic oratory against its wider social backdrop.
Rhetoric in Society 4 “Contemporary Rhetorical Citizenship: Purposes, Practices, and Perspectives... more Rhetoric in Society 4 “Contemporary Rhetorical Citizenship: Purposes, Practices, and Perspectives”. Copenhagen, 15-18 January 2013
This book explores the discursive interrelation between the fields of philosophy, sophistry and r... more This book explores the discursive interrelation between the fields of philosophy, sophistry and rhetoric in the High Roman Empire. Through a discussion of twelve Imperial intellectuals, the author offers a bottom-up reconstruction of the various paradigms of philosophical and intellectual self-fashioning. A second part deals with Maximus of Tyre's place in this complex discursive minefield, and aims to revalue his dialexeis as an interesting source for our understanding of the negotiation of power and authority implicit in popular branches of ancient philosophy.
This paper offers a psychological (largely Lacanian) reading of Athenaeus' Dinner of the Sophists... more This paper offers a psychological (largely Lacanian) reading of Athenaeus' Dinner of the Sophists. The almost exclusive attention to the verbal signifiers seems symptomatic for Imperial culture's obsession with language and cultivated self-representation. It is argued that the narcissistic embrace of sophisticated self-display may obstruct a 'real' experience of the food at the dinner table.
In Materiali e discussioni per l'analisi dei testi classici, Sep 1, 2015
This paper argues for the occurrence of narcissistic character traits in Philostratus' Life of Po... more This paper argues for the occurrence of narcissistic character traits in Philostratus' Life of Polemo of Laodicea. Moreover, it is argued that this narcissism is shaped and in a way legitimated by the specific conditions of Second Sophistic speech delivery.
systems oF soPhistry and PhilosoPhy the case oF the second soPhistic Personen können nicht ohne s... more systems oF soPhistry and PhilosoPhy the case oF the second soPhistic Personen können nicht ohne soziale Systeme entstehen und bestehen, und das gleiche gilt umgekehrt.
Rabaté enjoys his temporary stay in Leuven, Belgium. Despite a marathon four-hour session teachin... more Rabaté enjoys his temporary stay in Leuven, Belgium. Despite a marathon four-hour session teaching a specialised course in literary theory earlier in the afternoon, Rabaté looks impressively lucid and ready to answer our questions -"the hours around and after midnight are my best," he confesses. Very calm and relaxed, at times thoughtfully staring in his glass of brandy, Rabaté talks about his work, literature, psychoanalysis and the American "I-like-your-shirt" syndrome.
This paper highlights some tendencies in Imperial Greek literature which are intertwined with the... more This paper highlights some tendencies in Imperial Greek literature which are intertwined with the transfer from book reading to the reproduction of knowledge. It is argued that the tense competition for the title of pepaideumenos probably motivated the popular sophists of this age to develop a functional way of dealing with literature and culture, which quite self-evidently led to processes of canonization and epitomization. In conclusion, these dynamics of the oral performance of literature and culture might invite us to reconsider the place of literature in Imperial Greece, the influence of the oral performative climate on other sorts of literature and the function of Second Sophistic oratory against its wider social backdrop.
Rhetoric in Society 4 “Contemporary Rhetorical Citizenship: Purposes, Practices, and Perspectives... more Rhetoric in Society 4 “Contemporary Rhetorical Citizenship: Purposes, Practices, and Perspectives”. Copenhagen, 15-18 January 2013
Uploads
Books by Jeroen Lauwers
Papers by Jeroen Lauwers
Talks by Jeroen Lauwers