Lecture Series on “Engaging with Contemporary Philosophy in the Middle East and Muslim South Asia”

Lecture series on “Contemporary Philosophy in the Middle East and Muslim South Asia. Themes, Approaches, and New Perspectives”, organized by Roman Seidel (Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies) and Niels Riecken (Zentrum Moderner Orient), funded by Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies, Freie Universität Berlin will take place during winter term 2015/ 2016, Thursdays, 6-8pm, at Freie Universität, Fabeckstr. 23-25, 14195 Berlin.

Philosophy is a vital component of present-day intellectual and academic discourse in the Middle East (the Mashreq), North Africa (the Maghreb), and Muslim South Asia. Yet Western publics and scholars often assume that philosophy as an intellectual endeavour in the Muslim world ended in the twelfth century with the philosopher and polymath Averroes. As a counterpoint to this, this lecture series highlights the liveliness and complexity of contemporary philosophical debates in the Middle East and Muslim South Asia. In doing so, the lectures will reveal, first, how these contemporary debates form part of a continuous tradition of philosophy in the Muslim world. Second, the lecture series draws attention to how modern Muslim philosophers re-read their Islamic intellectual heritage while appropriating elements of modern Western philosophy.

As such, this lecture series – by considering both systematic and historical perspectives – is designed to speak to anyone engaged with contemporary philosophical discourses in a trans-regional frame.

Please find the schedules and more information on:

Programm-Flyer