Acting and Behaving: The Philosopher in Ancient Greece and Late Modernity

Around the world scientific output has reached ungovernable levels; far more is written than can possibly be read. Also, there are increasingly clear signs of rampant conformity within the scientific community. Where does philosophy stand in all this? Can we continue to claim that the role of knowledgeable persons and the discourse with which they impart their knowledge are (free, individual) ways of acting? Or should both role and discourse be considered mere modes of (conformist, impersonal) behaviour? By comparing modern practices to models of ancient Greek philosophy, philosophy of language enables us to reflect (especially historically) on the meaning of a life in theory, the role of logos, and the praxis within current discursive and philosophical practices. Our thesis is that the doing of the ancient philosopher (his form of life) works as a discourse, and that this discourse is also a discourse on the limits of language.