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Announcement Theme: Save the Planet! Subtitle: Climate Change and the Role of Intercultural Philosophy Type: Online Lecture Series Institution: Working Group 'Intercultural Philosophising: Theory and Practice', Viennese Society for Intercultural Philosophy (WiGiP), Institute for Science and Art (IWK), and Institute of Philosophy, University of Vienna Location: Online Date: October 2021 – January 2022 __________________________________________________ (Deutsche Version unten) Our earth and its life as we know it are endangered by a changing climate. Already today it is hot in regions where it was supposed to be cool, like in the Arctic, and unusually cool in regions where this is not typical, like in many Asian countries this year. A great number of scientists are increasingly alarmed: climatologists, biologists, geoscientists, historians, anthropologists, and more. But which role does intercultural philosophy play in the analysis of this situation and which solutions does it have to offer? Moreover, can it contribute not only on a theoretical level, but also be of practical help? Lastly, what do climate change and environmental protection have to do with intercultural competence? Over the last years, several philosophers have worked on these questions. A few of them we have invited to this lecture series. We want to get to know the perspectives of different countries and continents, but also of different classes, ethnicities, and religions. We want to explore their view on climate protection, their cultural approaches to the problem, if they think that human civilization and life on earth can be saved, and how this should be done. Coordination: Dr. Ľubomír Dunaj, Assistant Professor at the Department of Philosophy at Vienna University, "WiGiP" member Dr. Bianca Boteva-Richter, ext. lecturer at the Department of Philosophy at Vienna University, member of the editorial board of the Journal "polylog", board member of "WiGiP" Lectures and dates in winter term 2021-22 via zoom Please register via: [email protected] 28.10.2021, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET) (English, via zoom) Xiangzhan Cheng (Shandong University, China) Contemporary Global Ecological Aesthetics Ecological aesthetic research is a cutting-edge academic field, with researchers mainly coming from China, North America, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland and other parts of the world. There are eight positions of ecological aesthetics internationally in turn according to the time sequence of their proposition, namely the position of ecology, ecological art theory, phenomenology, ecological beauty, ecological existence, creating life (shengsheng) ontology, practical aesthetics and aesthetics of ecological type, etc. Briefly, ecological aesthetics is a transformation of aesthetics in the face of the global ecological crisis. It is a reconstruction of aesthetics in light of the particularity of aesthetic activities and its cultural functions on the basis of fully absorbing ecology and ecological philosophy, aiming to make aesthetics play its due role in the construction of ecological civilization. Xiangzhan Cheng is professor of aesthetics, a deputy dean of the School of Literature at Shandong University, China, and deputy director of Shandong University Research Center for Ecological Civilization and Ecoaesthetics. 18.11.2021, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET) (English, via zoom) Filipe Campelo (Universidad de Pernambuco, Brasil) Cosmopolitics: What can we learn from Amerindian perspectivism? Concepts like anthropocene and capitalocene have been used as normative responses to challenges linked to the ecological crisis. Taking this debate as a starting point, in this talk, I move that conceptual framework towards some insights founded in Brazilian Ameridian thought. Focusing on the works of the Yanomami Shaman Davi Kopenawa and Ailton Krenak, a leader of the Krenak Ethnicity located in Vale do Rio Doce, I highlight two contributions we can take from their works. Firstly, based on a specific meaning of translation, which Kopenawa calls "ethnographic pact", I argue that it provides an interesting methodological insight to some problems posed by contemporary decolonial theories and standpoint epistemology. Secondly, they radically overcome the concept of reason as the domination of nature. I argue that such a conceptual frame - which Viveiros de Castro calls "worlds of views" - can overcome obsolete notions of progress and universal reason through imagining a more pluriversal notion of cosmopolitics. Filipe Campelo is professor of philosophy at the University of Pernambuco (Recife, Brazil). His research interests are social and political philosophy, critical theory, German idealism and aesthetics. 16.12.2021, (6:30 pm CET) (English, via zoom) Ngozi Finette Unuigbe (University of Benin, Nigeria) Pandemics, The Environment and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Synopsis and Proposals The environment consists of various organisms that play different roles. These include organisms that can pose a threat to human health and lifestyle, although, the natural construct of the environment by Nature helps to protect and preserve a peaceful coexistence of these life forms. However, man’s manipulation of this natural state has led to so many dangerous aftermaths on the wellbeing of the human race and immense environmental degradation. This lecture will portray how human-induced incidents ranging from deforestation, industrialization, urbanization to climate change is constantly altering the ecosystem and causing disease carrying organisms to move from their natural habitat (that has been destroyed by human activities) to human situated communities, thereby leading to widespread health consequences (zoonosis) such as pandemics. An essential part of several ecological factors that needs to be considered is the reliance on the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) of indigenous cultures on ecological issues, commonly known as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Indicating the various key components that have hindered the growth and strength of TEK in tackling ecological issues, including globalization and modernity, this lecture would describe the nature of TEK and the important role it must play in solving and responding to primary social and environmental issues such as biodiversity destruction, decline in environmental standards and global environmental changes. Recognizing that most indigenous culture and cultural beliefs place high premium on Nature, it is identified that this body of knowledge has a significant role to play in building resilience of institutional systems to environmental conservation. It also serves as an effective directive for policy makers in developing strategic policies and programs in combating existing ecological problems. Ngozi Finette Unuigbe is professor and researcher in International Environmental Law Policy and Ethics at the University of Benin, Nigeria. She has a bias for Traditional Ecological Knowledge and its significance in the preservation of Nature. She published "Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Global Pandemics: Biodiversity and Planetary Health Beyond Covid-19" (Routledge Focus on Environment and Sustainability) in 2020. 13.01.2022, (6:30 pm CET) (Spanisch with English abstract, via zoom) Àngels Canadell Prat (University of Barcelona) Landing The civilization crisis we’re living through is the result of the separation between humans and nature, in which technological instrumentalisation has taken the place of collective wisdom. Only a change in our perception of our place in the cosmos’ balance and an inner transformation can cause a change in direction, a turn that allows us to land again and give way to healing processes. This entails letting go the myth of progress and creating new narratives that show limits to our desire for expansion. It also entails leaving behind the manipulation of reality to rediscover the balance between person and tool, between thinking and feeling, between action and contemplation. The non-modern cultures have maintained the human-nature balance for centuries. They consider human beings to be guardians of the Earth, not their owners. We can still learn from their wisdom and delve into our own traditions, to connect with the memory of places and with the capacity to take care of the communities that live there. Àngels Canadell Prat is professor and researcher at the University of Barcelona. She is an acting member of the networks "Filosofia della terra" (ISIS) and UNITERRA, and co-autor of "Habitar la ciudad (Ecología)", 2010. Website: http://wigip.org/arbeitskreis/#c624 __________________________________________________ Rettet den Planeten! Der Klimawandel und die Rolle der Interkulturellen Philosophie Arbeitskreis 'Interkulturelles Philosophieren: Theorie und Praxis' Wiener Gesellschaft für interkulturelle Philosophie (WiGiP), Institut für Wissenschaft und Kunst (IWK) und Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien Unsere Erde und ihre Lebewesen sind in Gefahr und die Veränderung des Klimas weist deutlich daraufhin: es ist dort warm, wo kaltes Klima vorherrschen sollte und kalt in Gegenden, wo dies nicht üblich ist. Viele WissenschaftlerInnen melden sich besorgt zu Wort: KlimaforscherInnen, BiologInnen, GeowissenschaftlerInnen, WissenschaftshistorikerInnen, GeoanthropologInnen. Doch welche Rolle spielt die interkulturelle Philosophie bei der Klärung des Problems und welche Lösungsansätze kann sie anbieten? Kann sie nicht nur theoretische, sondern auch praktische Unterstützung leisten? Und was hat der Klimawandel und Umweltschutz allgemein mit interkultureller Kompetenz zu tun? Mehrere PhilosophInnen haben sich zu diesen Fragen bereits in den letzten Jahren zu Wort gemeldet. Einige davon haben wir für diese Reihe eingeladen, um zu erfahren wie es in unterschiedlichen Ländern bzw. Teilen der Welt, aus Sicht unterschiedlicher sozialer Schichten, Ethnien, Religionen etc. um den Klimaschutz steht, was die verschiedenen kulturellen Ansätze zur Problematik beitragen und ob und wie das menschliche Leben und die Erde gerettet werden können. Koordination: Dr. Ľubomír Dunaj, Assistent am Institut für Philosophie an der Universität Wien, Mitglied der WiGiP Dr. Bianca Boteva-Richter, ext. Lektorin am Institut für Philosophie an der Universität Wien, stv. Redaktionsleiterin der Zeitschrift Polylog, Vorstandsmitglied der WiGiP Vortragende und Termine im WS 2021-22 via Zoom Bitte um Anmeldung unter: [email protected] 28.10.2021, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET) (English, via zoom) Xiangzhan Cheng (Shandong University, China) Contemporary Global Ecological Aesthetics Ecological aesthetic research is a cutting-edge academic field, with researchers mainly coming from China, North America, Germany, the United Kingdom, Finland and other parts of the world. There are eight positions of ecological aesthetics internationally in turn according to the time sequence of their proposition, namely the position of ecology, ecological art theory, phenomenology, ecological beauty, ecological existence, creating life (shengsheng) ontology, practical aesthetics and aesthetics of ecological type, etc. Briefly, ecological aesthetics is a transformation of aesthetics in the face of the global ecological crisis. It is a reconstruction of aesthetics in light of the particularity of aesthetic activities and its cultural functions on the basis of fully absorbing ecology and ecological philosophy, aiming to make aesthetics play its due role in the construction of ecological civilization. Xiangzhan Cheng is professor of aesthetics, a deputy dean of the School of Literature at Shandong University, China, and deputy director of Shandong University Research Center for Ecological Civilization and Ecoaesthetics. 18.11.2021, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET) (English, via zoom) Filipe Campelo (Universidad de Pernambuco, Brasil) Cosmopolitics: What can we learn from Amerindian perspectivism? Concepts like anthropocene and capitalocene have been used as normative responses to challenges linked to the ecological crisis. Taking this debate as a starting point, in this talk, I move that conceptual framework towards some insights founded in Brazilian Ameridian thought. Focusing on the works of the Yanomami Shaman Davi Kopenawa and Ailton Krenak, a leader of the Krenak Ethnicity located in Vale do Rio Doce, I highlight two contributions we can take from their works. Firstly, based on a specific meaning of translation, which Kopenawa calls "ethnographic pact", I argue that it provides an interesting methodological insight to some problems posed by contemporary decolonial theories and standpoint epistemology. Secondly, they radically overcome the concept of reason as the domination of nature. I argue that such a conceptual frame - which Viveiros de Castro calls "worlds of views" - can overcome obsolete notions of progress and universal reason through imagining a more pluriversal notion of cosmopolitics. Filipe Campelo is professor of philosophy at the University of Pernambuco (Recife, Brazil). His research interests are social and political philosophy, critical theory, German idealism and aesthetics. 16.12.2021, (6:30 pm CET) (English, via zoom) Ngozi Finette Unuigbe (University of Benin, Nigeria) Pandemics, The Environment and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Synopsis and Proposals The environment consists of various organisms that play different roles. These include organisms that can pose a threat to human health and lifestyle, although, the natural construct of the environment by Nature helps to protect and preserve a peaceful coexistence of these life forms. However, man’s manipulation of this natural state has led to so many dangerous aftermaths on the wellbeing of the human race and immense environmental degradation. This lecture will portray how human-induced incidents ranging from deforestation, industrialization, urbanization to climate change is constantly altering the ecosystem and causing disease carrying organisms to move from their natural habitat (that has been destroyed by human activities) to human situated communities, thereby leading to widespread health consequences (zoonosis) such as pandemics. An essential part of several ecological factors that needs to be considered is the reliance on the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) of indigenous cultures on ecological issues, commonly known as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Indicating the various key components that have hindered the growth and strength of TEK in tackling ecological issues, including globalization and modernity, this lecture would describe the nature of TEK and the important role it must play in solving and responding to primary social and environmental issues such as biodiversity destruction, decline in environmental standards and global environmental changes. Recognizing that most indigenous culture and cultural beliefs place high premium on Nature, it is identified that this body of knowledge has a significant role to play in building resilience of institutional systems to environmental conservation. It also serves as an effective directive for policy makers in developing strategic policies and programs in combating existing ecological problems. Ngozi Finette Unuigbe is professor and researcher in International Environmental Law Policy and Ethics at the University of Benin, Nigeria. She has a bias for Traditional Ecological Knowledge and its significance in the preservation of Nature. She published "Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Global Pandemics: Biodiversity and Planetary Health Beyond Covid-19" (Routledge Focus on Environment and Sustainability) in 2020. 13.01.2022, (6:30 pm CET) (Spanisch with English abstract, via zoom) Àngels Canadell Prat (University of Barcelona) Landing The civilization crisis we’re living through is the result of the separation between humans and nature, in which technological instrumentalisation has taken the place of collective wisdom. Only a change in our perception of our place in the cosmos’ balance and an inner transformation can cause a change in direction, a turn that allows us to land again and give way to healing processes. This entails letting go the myth of progress and creating new narratives that show limits to our desire for expansion. It also entails leaving behind the manipulation of reality to rediscover the balance between person and tool, between thinking and feeling, between action and contemplation. The non-modern cultures have maintained the human-nature balance for centuries. They consider human beings to be guardians of the Earth, not their owners. We can still learn from their wisdom and delve into our own traditions, to connect with the memory of places and with the capacity to take care of the communities that live there. Àngels Canadell Prat is professor and researcher at the University of Barcelona. She is an acting member of the networks "Filosofia della terra" (ISIS) and UNITERRA, and co-autor of "Habitar la ciudad (Ecología)", 2010. Website: http://wigip.org/arbeitskreis/#c624 __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ __________________________________________________
