Despite the ancient Greek philosopher Plato’s disapproval of democracy as a form of government, those trying to foster democracies have a surprising source of political wisdom in his philosophical dialogues. Plato considered tyranny the worst form of government, and he offered numerous lessons for resisting tyranny, including which political principles help prevent tyranny from emerging and how to recognize an emerging dictator. We ought to take Plato’s views on tyranny seriously, given that he personally experienced three different tyrannies up close and personal — in his hometown of Athens, where “The Thirty” overtook the democracy for less than one year in 404-403 BCE and during his three visits to the Greek colony Siracusa in Sicily, where first Dionysius the Elder and then his son Dionysius the Younger ruled for over 50 years.

Presented by Coleen P. Zoller, professor of philosophy, this lecture will argue that we have much to gain from heeding the lessons of a philosopher who survived tyranny and learned firsthand the damage done by those who rule as tyrants. Zoller’s talk is presented as the 2026 John C. Horn Lecture.

The John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity memorializes a former long-time member and chairperson of the Board of Trustees. The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding scholarship and conscientious service to the university, who is asked to present a public lecture in the following academic year. The lecture is open all members of the ����TV community.