PoEthics: for a new 'tragic' ethics of affection

PoEthics investigates the role of affection in ethics, with a specific focus on two ancient Greek poets, Homer and Sophocles. Both depict moral dilemmas of evil, violence and injustice. Conflicts, such as in the stories of Achilles or Antigone, seem unavoidable in the community.

On the other hand, sensible characters, like Hector, Ajax or Deianeira, overwhelmed by bad luck and compelling passions, fail to save themselves and their beloved ones.

The problem vividly expressed in these literary works is how men can find a solution in such hostile situations avoiding violence, pain, sorrow, and death. Is rationality, practical reasoning, or observance of principles whether divine or positive ones enough?

PoEthics will explore if the subtler ethical message lies in human sensitivity and bonds of affections, often symbolized by minor characters whose significance need to be re-evaluated.

Bernard Williams has endorsed a moral model which takes into account the irrationality of luck and the concreteness of every single persons desires, hopes and emotions in ethical judgments and actions. On the same path are the works by Nussbaum.

Lvinas, Arendt and following feminist though, especially Cavarero and Butler, instead, put at the center of moral discourse the concept of 'shared vulnerability' and the role of the 'other'.

PoEthics engages with these contemporary strands in ethics but proposes a new approach, which puts at the core of moral behaviour the role of personal affections. This novel ethical paradigm addresses concrete societal and individuals problems involving complex ethical issues. PoEthics aim will be to spread the knowledge of these ancient texts to specialistic theater and general audience.

Through the fellowship I intend to enhance my expertise in reception and classical studies and to expand my knowledge in moral philosophy. At Utrecht University, my host institution, I will be working at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.