Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Arts and Sciences Faculty, Department of Psychology faculty member Prof. Dr. Mehmet M. Erginel served as a visiting scholar at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford. The University of Oxford, which has consistently been ranked the world’s best university for the past decade according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, is home to many of the world’s leading philosophers within its Faculty of Philosophy.
Throughout the 2025–2026 Academic Year Spring Semester, Prof. Dr. Erginel participated in a range of seminars and workshops focusing on Ancient Greek Philosophy, his area of expertise. During his time at the University of Oxford, he also had the opportunity to share his ongoing academic work with faculty members, doctoral students and fellow visiting scholars.
During this period, Prof. Dr. Erginel further advanced his research on Plato’s views on pleasure, pain and beauty, continuing his work with the aim of publishing it as journal articles and a book chapter. He also intensified his research on the political philosophy presented in Plato’s Republic, widely regarded as one of the most influential works in the history of philosophy.
Prof. Dr. Erginel presented his research on the role of conflict and war in Plato’s conception of the ideal state as an invited speaker at several leading universities in the United Kingdom. Among these presentations was an invited lecture delivered as part of the “B Club” seminar series at the Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge, one of the oldest and most prestigious seminars in the field. Since its establishment in 1931, the seminar has invited no more than three leading scholars each academic term. Prof. Dr. Erginel also delivered invited presentations at the Faculty of Classics, University of St Andrews, and the Department of Philosophy, King’s College London.
In his presentations, Prof. Dr. Erginel argued that, contrary to common belief, Plato adopted a more peaceful and anti-war approach. He explained that Plato’s ideal state is one that avoids war and violence whenever possible and resorts to war only for defensive purposes and only to the extent necessary.
Prof. Dr. Erginel further emphasized that these ideas may offer valuable ethical insights into the evaluation of contemporary international and intersocietal conflicts. The presentations, which attracted considerable interest, also contributed to the successful representation of Eastern Mediterranean University on international academic platforms.
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