Agnes Callard, a philosophy professor at the University of Chicago, has made a name for herself by living life through the lens of Socratic philosophy. Born in Hungary and moving to the United States at the age of five, Callard's journey has been one of intellectual rigor and personal complexity. Her devotion to the teachings of Socrates is not just academic; it permeates her personal life, relationships, and professional pursuits.
Callard's unique approach to philosophy, which she terms "Socratising," involves a continuous examination and discussion of ideas and their consequences. This method aligns with her strong interest in living a life of "hard-line intellectualism," where she believes true liberty is found in the commitment to questions themselves rather than seeking final answers. Callard's fascination with Socratic philosophy has also led her to author the book "Open Socrates," where she explores these themes in depth.
“Liberty lies in commitments to the questions themselves, to following them where they lead, without the hope of what Jeremy Clarkson might call final answers.”
Callard's personal life reflects her philosophical ideas. She maintains a complex relationship with her ex-husband Ben, with whom she shares a son, and her current partner Arnold. This intricate dynamic has attracted attention and sympathy on social media, often portraying Ben as a reluctant figure in this narrative. Despite these complexities, Callard embraces her situation as part of her philosophical journey.
“That’s just what we do when we’re texting the person who broke up with us. ‘He’s a jerk, but I need to have him.’”
Living with an autism diagnosis, Callard views this aspect of her identity as a lens that clarifies some of her past experiences. Her diagnosis has not deterred her; instead, it has become an integral part of her intellectual exploration and self-understanding.
Educated in Orthodox schools due to scholarships linked to her grandparents' status as Holocaust survivors, Callard's early education laid the foundation for her philosophical pursuits. This background provided her with a unique perspective on life and learning, shaping her future academic endeavors.
“I was in high school, on the debate team. On a summer course they mentioned there’s this thing called philosophy that you can put into your debate speeches, and you’ll win more.”
Her initial encounter with philosophy was through an academic suggestion that using philosophical concepts in debate speeches could yield victory. This pragmatic introduction quickly blossomed into a profound passion. Immanuel Kant became her first philosophical crush, but it was Socrates, despite his reputedly unattractive appearance, who captured her intellectual heart.
“Immanuel Kant was my first crush, but Socrates ‘famously ugly – bug-eyed, snub-nosed, and goatish’ – took over.”
Callard's philosophical journey is not just theoretical; it is an active engagement with life's uncertainties. She champions facing these uncertainties head-on rather than living in denial.
“That rather than living lives of denial, we must instead not flinch from looking into the abyss of uncertainty.”
Her writing on the "Tolstoy problem" reflects this belief, advocating for an acceptance of life's inherent unpredictability and the pursuit of understanding through philosophical discourse.
Callard's approach to relationships is also influenced by her philosophical beliefs. Her interactions are characterized by a willingness to engage in challenging conversations, which she considers among life's greatest offerings.
“You want to have these hard conversations because they are some of the best things in life.”
This philosophy extends beyond relationships to Callard's view of philosophy itself as a communal and leisure activity—albeit one that is anything but relaxing.
“Philosophy, I think, is a leisure activity. Indeed, it’s the leisure activity, but it’s not a relaxing one, or one that you can do on your own.”