Philosophy on Tap

Political Philosophy and Ostracism:

Cormac McCarthy’s The Road

Francesc Badrines

Official institutions are the basic instruments that structure human life meaning-
fully. Thus, when civilization collapses, chaos appears. The road described by
McCarthy in his novel is an instrument for civilization: the same path built for
good can be used for bad if the system falls.

Dr Badrines will link the destruction of civilization, as narrated in the novel,

with the Ancient Greek institution of ostracism, created by Cleisthenes and used
throughout the 5th century BC. Ostracism meant being expelled from Athens
for 10 years, which was one of the heaviest punishments that any Athenian citi-
zen could endure at that time. Thus, the content of The Road will be made ex-
plicit through the Ancient Greece Political Philosophy, and Walter Benjamin’s
Philosophy and Theology of History.
THURSDAY 27th
JANUARY 2011
Francesc Badrines was born in Barcelona in 1975. He holds an Undergraduate
in Philosophy, an MA in Philosophy with a translation of a book by Saint Tho- 7:30 — 9:00 PM
mas Aquinas, and a PhD in Philosophy by the University of Barcelona with a
thesis linking Aristotle with the writer and scholar C.S. Lewis. He worked as a
Spanish language teacher in Greece, and as a Modern Greek translator, literary Venue :
critic, and literary agent in Spain. Currently he is a member of the LogicMills
LogicMills
teaching staff. Learning Centre
155B Rochor Road
Bugis Village
What is Philosophy on Tap?

There’s at least one thing the ancient Greeks got right—when doing philosophy
you’ll want to have plenty of beer. Taking this nugget of wisdom to heart, the
people at LogicMills have decided to do something about the drab and dreary
state of philosophy these days. Thus was born the monthly discussion series
Philosophy on Tap! The goal of this venture is to provide a public forum for
unfettered debate and conjecture on assorted topics of social, political, ethical,
aesthetic, and/or metaphysical relevance. Anyone and everyone interested in
thought provoking conversation is requested to attend. No prior philosophical
experience required!

ALL ARE WELCOME!

For further inquiries or to RSVP please write to:

philo@logicmills.com