Entitled Opinions (about Life and Literature)

Monika Greenleaf, an Associate Professor of Slavic Studies and Literature at Stanford, dives deep into the complexities of Nabokov's works. She discusses the lasting impact of 'Lolita' and its reflections on American youth. Greenleaf explores Nabokov's escape from Nazi Europe and his unique voice in literature. The conversation highlights his critiques of Darwinism, the boundaries of satire, and the cultural controversies surrounding his writings, particularly in the context of shifting interpretations of relationships across generations.

Michel Serres, a renowned French philosopher celebrated for his insights into science and technology, discusses the profound impact of communication evolution, from oral traditions to the digital age. He delves into the distinction between information and knowledge, highlighting the risks of confusing them in modern science. Furthermore, he examines how technology shapes our understanding of complex concepts and alters social interactions, emphasizing the enduring importance of connectivity in the digital era.

Jean-Marie Apostolidès, a French literature professor at Stanford, dives into the world of Albert Camus. He discusses the role of poverty as a creative force and contrasts Camus's philosophies with those of Sartre. The conversation reveals how Camus's personal turmoil shaped works like 'The Stranger', exploring the themes of absurdity and emotional detachment. Apostolidès also reflects on Camus’ unfinished masterpiece, 'The First Man', revealing the poignant loss of potential due to his early death and the lasting impact of his writings.

Jeffrey Schnapp, a Stanford professor specializing in Italian literature and Fascist culture, dives into the complex phenomena of crowds. He discusses how Shakespeare's portrayal of public sentiment reveals the chaos of mob behavior. The conversation explores the duality of crowds, from their unifying power to the loss of individuality. Schnapp highlights historical and contemporary views on crowds and solitude, along with the impact of totalitarian regimes on mass gatherings. The shift to digital crowds is also examined, marking a new era in collective dynamics.

Richard Rorty on the Future of Philosophy Richard Rorty is considered one of the greatest philosophers of the twentieth century. He is credited with reviving the philosophical school of American pragmatism and challenging the accepted pieties of analytic philosophy. He championed “quietism,” which he says attempts “to dissolve, rather than solve” sets of problems that […]

Professor Marjorie Perloff is Professor Emerita of English at Stanford and Scholar in Residence at USC. She was educated at Barnard College, where she received her B.A. (1953) and at the Catholic University of America where she received her Ph.D. in English (1965). She teaches courses and writes on twentieth and twenty-first century poetry and […]

Andrea Nightingale is Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature at Stanford University. Her research interests include Greek literature and philosophy, Hellenistic philosophy, and ecological studies. She is currently researching and writing on the philosophy and literature of ecology. Professor Nightingale recieved her BA in Classics from Stanford University and a BA in Classics and Philosophy from […]

Joshua Landy is Associate Professor of French in the Department of French and Italian at Stanford University. He was educated at Churchill College, Cambridge University where he received a BA in French and German and an MA in French, and at Princeton University where he received a PhD in Comparative Literature. At Stanford he teaches […]

Susanna Braund is Professor of Classics at Stanford University, where she has been since 2004. Professor Braund's interests include Imperial Latin literature, the reception of Roman antiquity, translation studies, and the interfaces between literature, rhetoric, and philosophy. Virgil is among her favorite Latin poets. She has published on Juvenal, Lucan, and Latin literature. Some of […]

Andrew J. Mitchell (Ph. D., Philosophy) is a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Humanities at Stanford University with research interests in contemporary continental philosophy, philosophy and literature, and the philosophy of nature and technology. Recent publications include “Heidegger and Terrorism” (Research in Phenomenology 35), “Torture and Photography: Abu Ghraib” (Radical Philosophy Review; forthcoming) and “Fassbinder: The […]