Baruch Spinoza is acknowledged to be a key figure in the development of modern philosophy and political reflection. Yet, to limit ourselves to a narrow historical evaluation of his contribution would amount to missing out on a major source of insight for rethinking today’s moral and political issues. While some recent established scholars of Spinoza have utilized his methods and ideas to illuminate contemporary problems, this discussion deserves both greater attention and continued development.
To this end, our symposium, which marks the retirement of Professor Gerasimos Vokos, will facilitate this dialogue in order to promote a reflexive reappraisal of Spinoza’s ideas and of their relevance for contemporary moral and political inquiry. Moreover, it aims to re-examine the role of philosophy and the humanities in the (occidental as well as global) university today as well as to discuss the past, the present and the future of critical thought and education in crisis-ridden Greece.
Programme:
9.00-9.30
Registration
9.30-10.00
Symposium Opening
Chairs: Professor Yannis Stavrakakis (AUTH) & Dr Aris Stylianou (AUTH)
10.00-11.00
- Professor Etienne Balibar (Paris X)
Spinoza, Marx, Freud, theoriciens du transindividuel
- Discussant: Dr Michalis Bartsidis (Hellenic Open University)
11.00-12.00
- Professor Pierre Francois Moreau (ENS de Lyon)
Spinoza, Pascal et Victor Cousin : politique de la philosophie
- Discussant: Dr Yannis Prelorentzos (University of Ioannina)
12.00-12.30
Discussion
12.30-14.30
Lunch Break
14.30-15.30
- Professor Kiarina Kordela (Macalester College)
Spinoza’s Biopower
- Discussant: Dr Spyros Tegos (University of Crete)
15.30-16.30
- Professor Gerasimos Vokos (AUTH)
Spinoza à l’université grecque
- Discussant: Dr Spyros Moschonas (University of Athens)
16.30-17.00
Discussion
17.00-18.30
Closing Round Table
Political philosophy today
Simultaneous translation will be provided
Information: Fani Giannousi / fgiannou@polsci.auth.gr / tel. 6977342553