Philosophy Talk: Fran O'Rourke (University College Dublin)

Prof. Fran O'Rourke (University College Dublin), will present: "Beauty in Thomas Aquinas and James Joyce", on Wednesday, September 18, in 140 DeBartolo Hall at 3:00 pm.

Abstract:
James Joyce constructed his aesthetic theory from some basic notions gleaned from Aquinas. He was familiar with the statement ‘pulchra dicuntur quae visa placent’, as well as the requisites integritas, consonantia, and claritas. His interpretation and application of these concepts, however, diverged significantly from Aquinas. The resulting theory might be described either as a careless distortion or an ingenious invention. My presentation will compare the texts of Aquinas with Joyce’s interpretation, with special attention to the transcendental notions of beauty, goodness, and truth.