On February 15, 2019, Demetra Sfendoni –Mentzou, Professor Emerita of Philosophy of Science and President of the “Interdisciplinary Center for Aristotle Studies,” of A.U.TH., gave a lecture at the Sala Napoleonica of the Neo-Classical Palazzo Greppi (18th Century) of the Università degli Studi di Milano. The event, which was organized under the auspices of the University of Milano and the Embassy of Greece in Rome, was honored with the presence of the Honorary Consul of Greece in Milan, Mr. Nikolaos Sakkaris and the Vice-Regional Governor of Region of Chalkidiki, Mr. Ioannis Giorgos, as well as of Professors of several disciplines of the University of Milano.
The speaker, who spoke on “Aristotle and Contemporary Thought,” was introduced by two Professors of the University of Milano: Giuseppe Zanetto, Professor of Greek Language and Literature, and Franco Trabattoni, Professor of Ancient Philosophy. In her speech, Professor Demetra Sfendoni-Mentzou analyzed the basic principles of the dynamic model of nature of the Macedonian philosopher Aristotle and tried to shed light on the conceptual relationship between Aristotle and contemporary scientific thought. She, thus, emphasized the fact that we should not approach Aristotle as a museum piece that belongs to the past, but as a contemporary philosopher with whom we can now open a dialogue on issues, that are of interest today in the fields of society, politics, ethics and the sciences. In particular, she pointed out that we need to re-read that part of Aristotle’s work, the value of which has been underestimated for many centuries, i.e., his Philosophy of Nature, in the light of the discoveries in all fields of science. The benefit of such an approach is twofold: on the one hand, Aristotle’s work takes on new life and content, and, on the other, it can offer us the conceptual tools in order to arrive at a deeper understanding of the spectacular discoveries of contemporary science.
See also here.