ENCOUNTERING OTHERS, UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES IN MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN THOUGHT
An interdisciplinary conference
December 16–18, 2019, Helsinki, Finland
The aim of the conference is to examine how medieval and early modern Christian, Jewish and Muslim thinkers (in theology, philosophy, history, and law) accommodate figures of otherness in their work, either as parts of specific theological, philosophical, legal and political arguments or as tangible beings that have to be reckoned with. Theoretical and methodological approaches are welcome, and interdisciplinary perspectives are encouraged.
Main themes include:
- Toleration and recognition (cultural, ethnic, religious)
- Identity (formation of the self and the group)
- Rights, needs and liberties
- Virtues; common and individual good
These themes call for several questions, such as the identification of the group in terms of who and what are to be recognized, and why; as well as interrogating and interpreting the moral bases of the question of otherness together with rights, responsibilities or virtues. Naturally, this also raises historical investigations of events and institutions in this vein, including crusades, missionary work, slavery, the Inquisition, colonialism, and others.
Keynotes:
FREDERICK NEUHOUSER,
Professor of Philosophy
University of Columbia
ISABELLA MANDRELLA
Professor of Philosophy
Ludwig-Maximilian-University, Munich
JUKKA KORPELA
Professor of History
University of Eastern Finland
Paper submissions:
Please submit an abstract of no more than 200 words for a 15-minute paper (in English), together with your contact details (academic affiliation and e-mail) before September 13, 2019 to virpi.makinen@helsinki.fi You will be informed about your proposal’s acceptance via email by September 18, 2019.
The conference fee is 60 € (students 40 €), which includes a conference dinner.
The conference is organized by the Centre of Excellence in Reason and Religious Recognition and financed by the Academy of Finland and the University of Helsinki.
More information of the conference, the accommodation and other practicalities is available at the organizer’s website (future events): https://blogs.helsinki.fi/reasonandreligiousrecognition