Dear Sir/Madam,  

The Institute for Philosophical Studies at Seoul National University is pleased to host Professor Agnes Callard from the University of Chicago for an invited lecture on the topic, "What is Socratic Intellectualism." We cordially invite all those interested to attend.  

- Date and Time: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 4:00–6:00 PM  
- Venue: Humanities Building 6, Room 403 (Institute for Philosophical Studies)  
- Speaker: Professor Agnes Callard (University of Chicago)  
- Title: What is Socratic Intellectualism  

Lecture Abstract
One approach to ethics suggests that living rightly involves following universalizable rules for how one should treat others. This is known as Kantianism, deontology, or contractualism, and has its roots in ancient Stoicism. Another approach emphasizes maximizing the number of good outcomes for humanity (or perhaps all sentient beings), advocating for the greatest good for the greatest number. This is called utilitarianism or consequentialism and is descended from ancient Epicureanism. A third perspective promotes embodying virtues such as justice, courage, generosity, and moderation—each involving the mean between two corresponding vices. This is referred to as Virtue Ethics or Neo-Aristotelianism and traces its origins to Aristotle's ethical works.  
In this talk, I introduce a fourth possibility: living rightly involves the pursuit of knowledge, with the best life being one devoted to inquiry. This perspective is derived from the thought of Socrates, as presented in Plato's early and middle dialogues.  

**Speaker Introduction**  
Agnes Callard is currently an Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago, specializing in ancient philosophy and ethics. In her 2018 book *Aspiration: The Agency of Becoming*, Professor Callard explores the process of personal transformation, introducing the concept of "aspiration," which involves the development of new values and preferences.  
In addition to her academic work, she actively engages in public philosophy through contributions to outlets such as the *New Yorker* and the *New York Times*. In this lecture, she will present a new form of virtue ethics theory, Socratic Intellectualism.