TAMIU Guest Lecture to Address Interpreting History Tonight

By Sarahi Lopez

PRMIS Student Intern

Does history ever change? Does it depend on who is looking at it, or when?

These questions can aggravate liberal arts study and will be addressed by a guest lecturer at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Room 101. 

Dr. Arthur Melzer, professor of Political Science at Michigan State University, and author of “Philosophy between the Lines: The Lost History of Esoteric Writing” (2014), will explore how to read and interpret authors from different historical eras.

Dr. Melzer will particularly address issues that concern esoteric writing— the method of expressing unconventional ideas “between the lines.” This form of writing, popular up until the 19th Century, is now a forgotten tradition. Melzer encourages the lost art of reading esoteric works in order to better understand Western philosophy.

Melzer is a specialist in political thought. His research is largely influenced by the work of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, known as the father of almost all modern culture criticism. His other interests include the ethical writings of Aristotle, and the work of Leo Strauss. Melzer’s writings involve titles such as “The Origin and the Counter- Enlightenment: Rousseau and the New Religion of Sincerity” (1996), “Anti-anti-Foundationalism: Is a Theory of Moral Sentiments Possible?” (2001), and “Esotericism and the Critique of Historicism” (2006).

This lecture will provide relevant guidance from an experienced specialist regarding literary works throughout time. Those interested in intellectual history, comparative literature, philosophy, communication theory, and political theory are greatly encouraged to attend. 

For more information, contact the University’s Office of Public Relations, Marketing, and Information Services at 956.326.2180. email prmis@tamiu.edu or click on tamiu.edu

 For additional information on Melzer, visit

http://polisci.msu.edu/index.php/people/faculty/item/faculty/arthur-melzer