The UKRI-funded Aristoteles Pezographos research group at Durham University hypothesizes that Aristotle’s notion of compositional style (lexis) influences many aspects of his philosophy.
In order to test this hypothesis, we are asking scholars to consider a number of relevant questions: what, exactly, are the characteristics of Aristotle’s notion of lexis? How does Aristotelian lexis, which is chiefly formulated in Rhetoric Book III, inform his scientific methodology and technical practice, including his theories of philosophy and dialectic? What are the limits of lexis, i.e., at what stages of human activity are the characteristics of style operative (or non-operative)? Is lexis the same, or different, for the ‘exoteric’ and ‘esoteric’ writings of Aristotle? Does lexis have a specific function in Aristotelian theories of learning? What role does lexis play in the constitution of the human subject? How does lexis inform and even condition emotional response and human action? Does lexis operate according to fundamental principles of structure, e.g., parts and wholes? What is the exact nature of lexis, and what are its correspondences with reality as expressed through speech? Finally, in the light of these questions, what impact does Aristotelian lexis have on the methodologies of post-Aristotelian philosophers, scientists, technical, or medical writers?
In order to pursue answers to these and other related questions, Aristoteles Pezographos plans to hold a workshop in Durham, in co-sponsorship with the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (DCAMP), on 11-13 June 2025. The workshop will be divided up according to three separate but interlinked aims:
(1) Defining Aristotelian lexis and recognizing its methodological applications across Aristotle’s corpus;
(2) Determining the impact of lexis on the constitution of the human agent in Aristotle’s works (including, but not exclusive to, rhetoric and poetics);
(3) Evaluating the ancient reception of Aristotelian lexis in philosophical, scientific, technical, and medical literature after Aristotle’s death (from the 4th century BCE – the 6th century CE)
This conference is open to the public and will be hybrid. To register your attendance, please contact Dr Rosie Wyles (mary.r.wyles@durham.ac.uk) with an expression of interest no later than 2 June 2025. Dr Wyles will then be able to provide a link for those wishing to attend remotely.
Conference programme
Wednesday 11 June 2025 (2pm) – Friday 13 June 2025 (12pm)
Department of Classics & Ancient History, Durham University
38 N. Bailey
Durham, DH1 3EU, UK
And available via Teams Link (email Dr Rosie Wyles mary.r.wyles@durham.ac.uk for the link)
Please register by 2 June 2025 by contacting Dr Wyles at the above email address
Day 1: Wednesday 11 June 2025 (Ritson Room – CL007)
2.00–2.15: Welcome
2.15–3.45: “Constitutive elements of Aristotelian style” · Dr Laura Viidebaum (NYU)
3.45–4.00: Tea break
4.00–5.30: “Style in Aristotle's Analytics?” · Prof. Phillip Horky (Durham University)
5.30–6.15: “λέξις in the Context of Aristotle's Poetics” · Andreas Kindler (University of Tübingen)
Day 2: Thursday 12 June 2025 (Seminar Room – CL108)
9.30-11.00: “Aristotle's Aesthetic Austerity in Rhetoric" · Dr Jamie Dow (University of Leeds)
11.00-11.30: Coffee
11.30-1.00: “Aristotle on How to use Metaphors in a Philosophical Context” · Prof. Pierre Destrée (University of Louvain)
1.00-2.30: Lunch break
2.30-4.00: “Some Examples of Aristotle's Argumentative Style in His Lost Dialogue Peri Philosophias” · Dr Edoardo Benati (University of Padua)
4.00-4.15: Tea break
4.15-5.45: “Stylistic Ventriloquism in Aristotle’s published works” · Prof. Doug Hutchinson (University of Toronto) & Prof. Monte Johnson (University of California, San Diego)
5.45-6.30: “The ‘Weapons’ of Rhetoric in Aristotelian Politics: How Language Adapts to Context” · Dr Myriam Lazzaro (University of Catania)
Drinks and Conference supper
Day 3: Friday 13 June 2025 (Ritson Room – CL007)
9.00–10.30: “Aristotle on measure: style and method” · Dr Giulia Bonasio (Durham University)
10.30–11.00: Coffee
11.00–12.00: Plenary Roundtable
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