We are pleased to invite you to join a workshop on the utopian philosophy of the German Marxist philosopher Ernst Bloch (1885 –1977). The workshop, titled ‘Darkness of the lived moment – Ernst Bloch and the crisis and future of (human) nature’, will take place on 4th of April at the University of Helsinki (Main Building, F3017 / Fabianinkatu 33, Helsinki). It will also be possible to follow the workshop online via Zoom: https://helsinki.zoom.us/s/67990736366
This workshop brings together scholars on Ernst Bloch and eco-utopian thought. We welcome academics, students, and the general public interested in philosophy and ecology.
Workshop description:
This workshop investigates the changing ideas about human nature and the human relationship with nature through the works of German Jewish Marxist philosopher Ernst Bloch (1885-1977). Bloch, who is known as a utopian thinker close to the Frankfurt School, produced a novel theory of how a hopeful drive toward perfection can unite humans with nature, but also a sharp critique on what holds society back from fulfilling this potential, in other words, why humans do not yet “walk upright”.
Programme:
Introduction: 9am Ville Louekari
Keynote 1 Human nature - Bloch’s anthropology: 9:15am Johann Siebers. “De te fabula narratur: What can we learn today from Bloch’s utopian conception of (human) dignity and natural law?”
Coffee break: 10:15am
Panel 1 Human nature - Bloch’s anthropology: 10:30am Miguel Salmerón. “Philosophical, Artistical, and Utopian Conceptions of Human Nature by Bloch”.
Hypatia Pétriz. “Hunger as the Fundamental Drive. Remarks about Ernst Bloch’s Anthropology, Desire and Images of Dialectics”.
Lunch break: 12pm
Keynote 2 Humans and nature - Utopian ecology: 1:30pm Francesca Vidal. “Why we should think utopically”.
Panel 2 Humans and nature - Utopian ecology: 14:40pm Ville Louekari. “Laboratory Earth - Ernst Bloch’s utopian eco-Marxism”.
Keijo Lakkala. “Utopia as Counter-Image of the Present: Theorising Extinction Rebellion and Circular Economy as Ecological Utopias”.
Wrap up session: 16:20pm
Register for the workshop here. Should you have any questions or require further information, do not hesitate to contact us at ville.louekari@helsinki.fi or hypatia.petriz@cchs.csic.es.
Registering is open until the 27th of March. You are also welcome to attend without registering but to avoid food waste we encourage you to register to this event. Register here.