Aesthetic Ethics: Fostering Diversity in Museums and Classrooms
By Kia Lisby
Elinore Darzi, PhD, a recent graduate of the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies, chose to attend Emory because of its unique academic lineage. During her tenure at Laney, Darzi gained access to deep philosophical inquiry, creative expression, and global academic engagement.
Drawn to Emory’s renowned Department of French and Italian for its rare focus on continental philosophy, Darzi found inspiration in walking the same halls once frequented by a former Emory Robert W. Woodruff professor and legendary philosopher.
“I found the most celebrated and influential interdisciplinary scholars at Emory,” said Darzi. “The Department of French and Italian is one of the only departments in the nation focused on continental philosophy, and it was a dream to be part of a department where philosopher Jean-François Lyotard, whose work I study, previously taught.”
Darzi's dissertation, "Silent Cries: The Ethics and Aesthetics of Infancy," studies early childhood from the perspective of Lyotard and fellow French philosopher Simone Weil. Through her research Darzi explores infancy as not merely a stage of life, but a shared human condition. Her work offers a unique way of thinking about ethics when it comes to paying attention to others, listening with care, and recognizing the needs of humanity even when they cannot be expressed verbally.
“My dissertation shows how we can derive from Lyotard and Weil’s work what I call an “ethics of infancy;” ethics that are not extended through following a rule or a law, but a form of affective attention and listening that, to put it simply, respects the other as other, and acknowledges their being - beyond words, titles and knowledge, “said Darzi.
Her philosophical approach translated into teaching. As a Dean’s Teaching Fellow, she developed a workshop for the Martha and Bill Dobes Outstanding Graduate Teaching Fellowship titled “The Ethics of the Aesthetic Experience: Fostering Diversity and Belonging Between the Museum and the Classroom.” Conducted in Emory’s Carlos Museum, the session invited graduate students from various fields to express how museum visits cultivate ethical awareness.
"I still cannot fathom what Emory gave me for the past six years and the research I was able to pursue. I am proud and humbled for the privilege to have this journey," said Darzi.
Darzi does not take all the credit for her success at Emory. Her partner Amit was a significant source of support and motivation, reminding her daily of who she was and her purpose at Emory.
She also served as a student ambassador for Emory Diverse Graduate Education (EDGE), an initiative established to recruit, admit, retain, and successfully matriculate doctoral scholars and master's practitioners who represent the inclusive excellence of our global community and graduate school.
"Through EDGE, I met fellow graduate students who shared similar values of community, diversity and inclusion. The EDGE community creates an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually challenging environment that embraces individual differences. After each event, my heart felt wider and fuller, and I can only say that I wish I had joined sooner."
Now that Darzi is officially a Laney graduate, she will move to San Antonio, Texas, where she will take on the position of Visiting Assistant Professor of Modern Languages and Literature at Trinity University.
Darzi encourages new graduate students to take the time to meet and interact with professors, other scholars, colleagues, and students – and to make friends.
"Do not forget that this is also your own unique, personal journey. As you learn from others and take advantage of Emory's exceptional opportunities, remember your personal goal and guiding ideals."