A portrait of the artist’s pursuit of self-knowledge and its significance for education
A reflection on the visual arts as a way of engaging with the enduring question of self-knowledge – from Noemi Bartolucci.
A portrait of the artist’s pursuit of self-knowledge and its significance for education
28 May 2025, 17:30 – 19:15
The visual arts offer a distinctive way of engaging with the enduring question of self-knowledge. By challenging philosophy’s longstanding alignment of truth with introspection and rational inquiry, rooted in Socratic thought, this discussion frames the self as unstable, transitional, and accessible through its expressions, drawing on Klaus Mollenhauer.
With the rise of self-portraiture in the early-modern period, Rembrandt’s self-portraits become a sustained meditation on the limits of self-understanding. Revisiting the Ancient Quarrel between philosophy and poetry reveals affinities between philosophy and literature, while positioning the visual arts as uniquely equipped to explore the complexities of self-relation, offering valuable insights for education.
This event will be particularly useful for those interested in the philosophy of education and philosophy of art broadly and the idea of self-knowledge specifically.
Please note this is a hybrid event and can be joined either in-person or online. To book your place, please email Yuxin Su: stnvysu@ucl.ac.uk.
PESGB seminar series
This event is part of the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain (PESGB) seminar series. PESGB is a learned society that promotes the study, teaching and application of philosophy of education. Its London Branch hosts seminars every Wednesday in conjunction with the Centre for Philosophy of Education. These seminars are led by national and international scholars in the field, covering a wide range of issues of educational and philosophical concern.
All are welcome to attend.
Related links
Image
Markus Glombitza / Adobe Stock.
Noemi Bartolucci
PhD candidate
UCL IOE
Her research focuses on the philosophy of education, exploring the historical development of Bildung and its role in self-knowledge, self-examination, and transformation beyond formal education. She examines these themes through literature, particularly the Bildungsroman genre, and the arts.
Formerly a high school teacher in South Korea, Noemi now works as a Postgraduate Teaching Assistant at the IOE.
Further information
Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes
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