Hole Presents 'Finding Jung in the Symposium'

George Hole, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of philosophy and humanities and interim chair of mathematics, will examine love in its many forms during a reading at the C.G. Jung Center, 408 Franklin Street, on Wednesday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m.

“Finding Jung in the Symposium” examines the transformative nature of love and the constant search for the “other half” as demonstrated in Plato’s famous text.

“In Aristophanes’s speech, what you see is a longing for wholeness, where people recognize in some fashion that they are wounded, humiliated, and incomplete,” Hole said. “What is interesting is that these are Jungian concepts.”

Hole also noted that the dialogue is a “hero’s journey” and that he is delving into what archetypes may be present, the expressions from the unconscious, and the Socratic complex.

“Finding Jung in the Symposium” will be like “going on a bear hunt together,” explained Hole, who encourages participates to contribute to the discussion.

Hole's three-part reading session began May 1 and will conclude on May 15.

“Most participants have read the Symposium, but it is not necessary,” Hole said. “We discuss key passages, and as a group, explore it.”

With a Ph.D. in philosophy and a bachelor’s degree in physics, Hole has taught a wide range of philosophy courses at Buffalo State including "Zen Buddhism," "Love and Sex," "Existentialism," and "Philosophy as Therapy."

Mark Warford, associate professor of Spanish and foreign language education, who recently joined the board of the Analytical Psychology Society of Western New York (APSWNY), invited Hole to lead a session at the center, which the APSWNY oversees.

“Recently, in keeping with Carl Jung’s multidisciplinary approach to understanding the human mind, the center has made inroads with a variety of area groups, including instructors from Buffalo State and other area institutions of higher education whose scholarly work ties in with Jung’s archetypal perspective,” Warford said.  “I’m very enthusiastic about more offerings in the 2013–2014 program that feature Buffalo State faculty.”

The sessions are open to the public. Tickets for each session are $5 for students, $8 for Jung Center members, and $10 for the general public.