Ancient philosophers’ views on women

On 25–26 September 2025, the University of Tartu will host international scholars of ancient philosophy. This year’s Tartu Workshop in Ancient Philosophy focuses on ancient philosophers’ views on women, but other topics will be discussed as well. The workshop is organised by Riin Sirkel, Associate Professor of Ancient Philosophy at the University of Tartu.

Philosophicum, Jakobi 2–114, Tartu.

Thursday, 25 September

14:00–15:15 Riin Sirkel (Tartu), Musonius Rufus on Women: Stoic Feminism?

15:30–16:45 Caterina Pellò (Geneva), Theano and Aristotle in Dialogue: Rethinking Pythagorean Number Theory

17:00–18:15 Sean Coughlin (Czech Academy of Sciences), Athenaeus and Galen on Female Powers

Friday, 26 September

10:00–11:15 Toomas Lott (Uppsala, Tartu), Making it Personal: Plato’s Laches

11:30–12:45 Liva Rotkale (Latvia), A Difficulty Concerning the Structure of Social Objects in Aristotle

14:30–15:45 Katerina Ierodiakonou (Athens, Geneva), The Role of Light in the 'De coloribus'

16:00–17:15 Marta Jimenez (Madrid), Aristotle on Climate, Natural Slavery, and the Blurring of Gender Differences among Some Non-Greeks

The workshop is supported by the Estonian Research Council grant STP58, “Ancient Greek Philosophy, Warts and All: Aristotle on Women”, led by Riin Sirkel.