Short interview Benefits of Philosophy
The practice and teaching of critical thinking at the university level is one of the gains for society, philosophy Professor Gabriela Rossi sees in her work. In the interview she introduces herself.
As a Humboldt scholar Professor Gabriela Rossi conducts research at Ruhr-University Bochum at the Department of Philosophy II for five months. She studies Aristotle’s constructive use of puzzles or paradoxes when proving certain principles in his philosophical treatises. The philosophy Professor lives in Viña del Mar, Chile, and lectures at the Universidad de los Andes in Santiago de Chile.
Prof. Rossi, where do you feel at home?
I am Argentinian and have been living abroad for more than 15 years. Thus, as an expat, this is a really hard question for me. Maybe home is wherever I am with my family.
Is there something very mundane, boring that people don't necessarily need to know about you?
I am a serious fan of my hometown soccer team: Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, also called “El Lobo”.
What are you proud of?
I am proud of not giving up easily.
Please explain what you are exploring.
My area of research is the history of philosophy, and my project is about Aristotle's philosophical methodology. I study Aristotle’s constructive use of puzzles or paradoxes when proving certain principles in his philosophical treatises. During my stay at RUB, I concentrate on this use within Physics IV 1-9, where Aristotle discusses two of these principles: place and void.
What benefits does your work have for society?
The cultural value of keeping the classics alive, and the practice and teaching of critical thinking at the university level.
What do you wish for the future?
On a personal level, I wish to maintain fruitful contact with colleagues and friends I met here.
Thank you very much!