Intercultural Philosophy: Theory and Practice
A WiGiP and IWK Lecture Series 

Politische Polarisierung im interkulturellen Vergleich
An Intercultural Approach to Political Polarisation

2024 ist ein „Superwahljahr“, nicht nur in Österreich. Ob Europawahl, deutsche Landtagswahlen oder die US-Präsidentschaftswahl – bei vielen Abstimmungen ist der Wahlkampf äußerst polarisiert. Mehr noch, mit ganz offener Fremdenfeindlichkeit, Rassismus und Antisemitismus lassen sich im 21. Jahrhundert wieder Wahlen gewinnen. Warum ist das so? Gibt es Parallelen zwischen der Polarisierung der Wahlen in Taiwan, Indien, den USA, Österreich und anderen Staaten? Welche Ansätze kann die interkulturelle politische Philosophie beisteuern, um moderne Tendenzen gesellschaftlicher Polarisierung in besser zu verstehen und ihre Ursachen zu erkennen? Werden womöglich Adornos Studien zum autoritären Charakter wieder aktuell? Welchen Beitrag zur Überwindung von Polarisierungstendenzen können interkulturelle Dialoge leisten? Um diese Fragen zu erörtern, laden die WiGiP und das IWK im WiSe 2024/25 renommierte Wissenschaftler:innen aus vier Kontinenten ein, ihre Perspektiven zur Diskussion zu stellen. 

2024 is a ‘super election year’, and not just in Austria. Whether it’s national elections in Europe, German state elections, or the US presidential election - campaigns tend to be extremely polarised. What is more, open xenophobia, racism and anti-Semitism are once again winning elections in the 21st century. Why is this the case? Are there parallels among the polarisation of elections in Taiwan, India, the USA, Austria and other countries? How can intercultural political philosophy contribute to our understanding of such social polarisations and their causes? Could Adorno's studies on authoritarianism become relevant again? What contribution can intercultural dialogues make to overcoming polarisation? To discuss these questions, the WiGiP and the IWK are inviting renowned academics from four continents to present their perspectives for discussion during the winter semester 2024/25.

Organisation:
Drⁱⁿ. Bianca Boteva-Richter, externe Lektorin am Institut für Philosophie, Universität Wien, Vorstandsmitglied der WiGiP und AIPPh, Gründungsmitglied von EIFI / external lecturer at the Institute of Philosophy, University of Vienna, board member of WiGiP and AIPPh, founding member of EIFI.
Dr. Daniel Buschmann, forscht zu sozial-ökologischer Transformation am Umweltbundesamt, Team „Klimawandelanpassung und Resilienz“ / researches social-ecological transformation at the Environment Agency Austria on the ‘Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience’ team. 
Prof. Graham Parkes, Professorial Research Fellow am Institut für Philosophie, Universität Wien, Prof. em. an der University of Hawaii / Professorial Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, University of Vienna, Professor Emeritus at the University of Hawaii.

Vortragende und Termine im WS 2024-25 / Presenters and dates in the winter term 2024-25, hybrid and via zoom (bitte um Anmeldung unter / please register with: (bianca.boteva-richterunivie.acat)

► Do, 24.10.2024, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET), hybrid: IWK, Berggasse 17, 1090 Wien und online

Profⁱⁿ. Drⁱⁿ. Anna Durnová, Institut für Soziologie, Universität Wien:

„Der Alltag in einer Demokratie: zwischen Emotionen und institutionellen Prozessen“ 

Prof. Anna Durnová, Institute of Sociology, University of Vienna – “Everyday life in a Democracy: Between emotions and institutional processes”

Abstract: Emotionen spielen eine zentrale Rolle im demokratischen Alltag, wie die Klimadebatte zeigt. Manche Emotionen werden legitimiert, andere verdrängt – eine Dynamik, die entscheidend dafür ist, wer in politischen Prozessen Gehör findet. Der scheinbare Widerspruch zwischen individuellen Emotionen und den kollektiven Anforderungen demokratischer Institutionen prägt die spätmoderne Demokratie. Diese Spannung verdeutlicht, dass der Umgang mit Emotionen im politischen Alltag Teil einer notwendigen demokratiepolitischen Diskussion sein muss.

Emotions play a central role in everyday democratic life, as the climate debate shows. Some emotions are legitimised, others repressed – a dynamic that is decisive for who gets a hearing in political processes. The apparent contradiction between individual emotions and the collective demands of democratic institutions characterises late modern democracy. This tension makes it clear that dealing with emotions in everyday political life must be part of a necessary democratic-political discussion.

Anna Durnová ist Professorin für Politische Soziologie am Institut für Soziologie der Universität Wien. Sie ist auch Faculty Fellow am Yale University Center for Cultural Sociology sowie als Mitglied des Editorial Board der Zeitschrift Policy & Politics und als Vizepräsidentin der International Public Policy Association tätig.

Anna Durnová is Professor of Political Sociology in the Institute of Sociology at the University of Vienna. She is also a Faculty Fellow at the Yale University Center for Cultural Sociology, a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Policy & Politics, and Vice President of the International Public Policy Association.

►Di, 19.11. 24, 17:30 (5:30 pm CET), online (in Englisch)

Prof. Hsueh-i Chen, Graduate Institute of European Cultures and Tourism, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan:

“Causes and Impacts of Polarization and Possible Pathways of Reconciliation: Taiwanese and Asian Realities from an Intercultural Philosophical Perspective”

Abstract: Polarization is a global issue that manifests differently across cultures and societies. This presentation examines polarization from an intercultural perspective, focusing on Taiwan and extending to East Asia. Key areas include political polarization, notably the pro-China versus independence debate in Taiwan, historical and memory-related polarization, and societal polarization driven by demographic changes, economic disparities, and social tensions. Intercultural polarization underscores the challenges posed by immigration and the integration of foreigners. Additionally, the dominance of technology over the humanities exacerbates societal divisions. 
Addressing polarization requires not only the search for truth in areas such as history and ethics, or the pursuit of balance and harmony in society, but also a willingness to imagine beyond current realities. To envision a shared future, it is essential to foster tolerance and understand diversity and plurality. Concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation are central to overcoming seemingly unresolvable polarization. Emphasizing the importance of education and the acceptance of a world filled with differences can guide us towards depolarization. This process begins within oneself and is supported by a communal life that embraces diverse cultures and beings.

Hsueh-i Chen is Professor at the Graduate Institute of European Cultures and Tourism an der National Taiwan Normal University in Taiwan. He is a former board member of WiGiP. His current research interests include intercultural philosophy, contemporary French philosophy, memory research, European cultures and languages.

►Do, 12.12. 24, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET), online (in Englisch)

Drⁱⁿ. Gabrielle Münnix, AIPPh, Germany:

“Image Bans and Intercultural Image Philosophy - How to Reconcile Image Semioticians and Image Phenomenologists”

Abstract: The violent events surrounding the Muhammad caricatures (such as the Charlie Hebdo and Samuel Paty murders) show that in “the West”, where the primary concerns were freedom of expression, of the press, and of the arts, there was no sensitivity that deeply rooted pictorial traditions were being violated. Islamic State propaganda still accuses the godless West of idolatry. The lecture shows that deeply ingrained image traditions in various world religions continue to have powerful effects even in secular times, giving rise to cultural incomprehension. It is therefore important to approach these image traditions and the corresponding theories of semiotics and phenomenology with greater understanding.

After studying philosophy and mathematics, Gabriele Münnix was a lecturer in philosophy at the universities of Münster and Innsbruck. Her many years of publications are mainly in the field of intercultural philosophy. After many years as President, she is now Honorary President of the Association Internationale des Professeurs de Philosophie and Editor-in-Chief of ‘Forum Philosophie International’.

►Do, 16.01. 24, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET), online (in Englisch)

Prof. Viren Murthy, Department of History, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA:

“Rethinking Polarization through Intercultural Philosophy”

Abstract: In the past few decades, politics has been polarized around conservatives and liberals, who are sometimes misrepresented as radicals. Can intercultural philosophy help us understand this situation and suggest solutions? The ancient Chinese philosopher, Zhuangzi (369-286 BC) has a famous passage about the difficulty of resolving disputes. In Western philosophy, one of the most relevant discussions of polarization is Kant’s antinomies, which appear unresolvable without a leap beyond the understanding. Zhuangzi’s discussion of disputes is not limited to disputes, but he speaks of equalizing things in the light of tianni (天倪) or heavenly equality. However, he tells us little about how to do this. From his somewhat cryptic remarks heavenly equality, we can surmise that the term refers to a ground that is the condition for the possibility of both positions. This dialectical method of grasping polarized positions suggests that rather than choosing between one position as politicians encourage us to do, one should look at polarizations as a symptom of a deeper problem. Using this Hegelian interpretation of Zhuangzi’s concept of heavenly equality, I will revisit contemporary conflicts as one-sided responses to the contradictions of global capitalism. Conservatives use a racially based nationalism to confront the malaise caused by the neo-liberalism. This might cause people to embrace liberal pluralism. However, this position forgets that it is the liberal support for neo-liberal capitalism that gave rise to the conservatives in the first place. Because they fail to grasp the conditions of their respective positions, both sides ultimately undermine their ideals, which might be something like human flourishing within the bounds of a nation-state. My talk will conclude by suggesting some ways to move beyond polarization.

Viren Murthy is Associate Professor in the Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. He analyses the historical conditions for the possibility of philosophy and politics in the modern world and in East Asia in particular.

►Februar. 25, 18:30 (6:30 pm CET), hybrid/online (in Englisch)

Runder Tisch zum Thema Polarisierung und Interkulturelle Philosophie. Teilnehmende, Datum und Ort werden noch bekannt gegeben. 

Round table on polarisation and intercultural philosophy. Participants, date and location to be announced.