There are, quite simply, too many THINGS IN THE WORLD. Not only do we
spend most of our time producing and consuming stuff, but we have
entire industries dedicated to helping us to manage and control the
THINGS WE ACCUMULATE. But are THINGS REALLY NECESSARY FOR OUR
HAPPINESS? Given that THINGS CAN’t really be avoided, what is the
correct attitude to take towards them? How might we replace a
grasping, clutching attitude with an appreciative, light touch? This
talk will explore these questions through an examination of the works
of two ANCIENT PHILOSOPHERS: the Zhuangzi, a Daoist text from CHINA
FROM THE 4TH CENTURY BC; and the work of Epictetus, a Greek Stoic who
was a slave in Rome in the 1st Century AD.Professor O’Leary is a
philosopher who has worked and studied in Ireland, Paris, Hong Kong,
and Australia. His research is in the area of contemporary European
philosophy, in particular the work of Michel Foucault, and has also
researched widely on the topic of the relations between ethics and
aesthetics. He has published two monographs, including most recently
Foucault and Fiction: The Experience Book, (Bloomsbury, 2011). He has
co-edited numerous edited collection and journal special issues.
Before taking up the position of Head of School Humanities & Languages
at UNSW in 2018, he taught philosophy for 17 years at the University
of Hong Kong.
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03/04/2020 Last update