Name: Matilde Berti

I hold a BA (2018) and MA (2020) from the University of Pisa (Italy). In Pisa my main area of research was Plato's Early Academy (Speusippus and Xenocrates); accordingly Plato and Aristotle, too. I wrote my MA on Xenocrates' Metaphysics under the supervision of Prof. Bruno Centrone and Dr. Phillip S. Horky. I have started my doctoral research, for which I have been awarded an AHRC studentship via the Northern Bridge Consortium (NBCDTP), in October 2021 under the supervision of Dr. Phillip S. Horky (primary supervisor) and Prof. Anna Marmodoro (secondary supervisor). 

My interests are quite broad, ranging from Plato's metaphysics,its developments in later Platonism, Pythagoreanism, Stoicism and Contemporary Philosophy.

Research Project: The Relation of Parts and Wholes in Plato

My project will investigate Plato’s understanding of the relation between parts and wholes (PWR), focussing on his late dialogues (Sophist, Statesman, Philebus, Laws), which have been overlooked by scholars (e.g. Harte 2002). PWR is crucial in both Plato’s philosophy and contemporary metaphysics, as ontology and epistemology depend on it (Schaffer 2010).

The first part of the project (P1) focuses on Plato's predecessors, in particular the Eleatics, Anaxagoras, the Pythagoreans, and the Atomists. Plato’s theory of PWR was motivated in response to the Presocratics, who established the parameters for correspondence between existence and knowledge (Stokes 1971). So, P1 will determine the Presocratics' approach to PWR as framework for the second part (P2).

Building on this conceptual analysis, P2 will deal with Plato’s PWR, with focus on his contributions to contemporary mereology.

The parallels drawn between ancient and modern philosophers will demonstrate that Plato's PWR constitutes a ground-breaking contribution to the history of thought. This project will both generate debates in modern mereology and advance our understanding of later philosophical developments within ancient Platonism.

Publications/Other activities:

• Goethe-Zertifikat Deutsch C1 - September 2021
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• Cambridge English Proficiency C2 - June 2021
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• Speusippus of Athens (Chair) - Durham 15/02/2019-16/02/2019
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• Winner of bursary to attend 'Metaphysics and Epistemology in Plato's Academy' - Durham 21/02/2018-22/02/2018
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• Summer School in Ancient Philosophy at the University College of London (UCL) - London 24/07/2017-28/07/2017