Inside the Core this week, we are very excited to have our second Scholars' Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition for this academic year of 2022-2023 on Wed., October 26, at 4 p.m. via TEAMS. Dr. Donovan Sherman, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the English Department, will be presenting on his recent book, The Philosopher's Toothache: Embodied Stoicism in Early Modern English Drama (Northwestern University Press, 2021). Dr. Sherman's first book, Second Death: Theatricalities of the Soul in Shakespeare's Drama, was published as part of the Edinburgh Critical Studies in Shakespeare and Philosophy (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2016).
The Philosopher's Toothache, as described by Dr. Sherman, "proposes that early modern Stoicism constituted a radical mode of performance. Stoicism—with its focus on bodily sensation, imagined spectatorship, and daily mental and physical exercise—exists as what the philosopher Pierre Hadot calls a 'way of life,' a set of habits and practices. Informed by work in both classical philosophy and performance studies, the book argues that Stoicism infused the complex theatrical culture of early modern England." These issues, linked as they are with philosophy, are deeply relevant to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Dr. Sherman explains further, "My chapter on atheism and different spiritual traditions centers on a reading of Paul's Mars Hill speech, though I bring in spirituality throughout, certainly in ways germane to the Catholic intellectual tradition. (I also engage with Alvin Plantinga, no slouch in CIT.)" It promises to be a very interesting discussion.

The Scholars' Forum in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition is co-sponsored by the University Core, the Catholic Studies Program, the Catholic Studies Center, and Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.

Click here to access the presentation via TEAMS.

Upcoming Scholars’ Forum event (the link will be the same for each event):
Nov. 30 -- Dr. Dermot Quinn, History Department, Arts and Sciences.
More to be scheduled for the spring semester!