Kant and the Non-European: Reimagining Perpetual Peace in a Global Context
Exploring Justice, Freedom, and Critique at the Arab Cultural House in Berlin
September 14th, 2024
On September 5th, Der Divan, the Arab Cultural House in Berlin, hosted the inaugural lecture in the series "Kant and the Non-European: Critique, Justice, and Freedom." This thought-provoking event, organized by the Orient-Institut Beirut (OIB) in collaboration with the American University of Beirut, marked the beginning of a series aimed at exploring Kantian philosophy through a non-European lens.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Oxana Timofeeva from the Institute for Global Reconstitution (Berlin), whose expertise in philosophy and cultural studies offered a fresh perspective on the intersection of Kant’s ideas with current global challenges. The lecture was further enriched by critical discussions from Prof. Dr. Jens Hanssen, Director of the OIB, and Dr. Sami Khatib, Senior Research Associate at the OIB, who contributed valuable insights into the philosophical discourse.
The inaugural lecture, titled *"Why Are We Moving in the Opposite Direction of Perpetual Peace?"*, centered around Kant’s influential essay “Toward Perpetual Peace”, where he proposed the concept of an international political community aimed at eradicating war as a destructive force in human society. Dr. Timofeeva, a Senior Associate at IGRec, member of the artistic collective "Chto Delat" ("What Is to Be Done"), and author of multiple publications, delivered a nuanced and timely analysis of Kant’s vision. She highlighted the growing distance between contemporary geopolitical realities and the Enlightenment philosopher’s ideal of perpetual peace.
Through her lecture, Dr. Timofeeva invited the audience to critically engage with the underlying conditions necessary for such peace to be realized in today's world. By revisiting Kant’s principles in light of modern conflicts, she emphasized the urgency of re-examining the possibilities of justice, freedom, and global solidarity. Her presentation encouraged reflection on how humanity might still pursue Kant's vision of a peaceful global order, even as current events seem to push in the opposite direction.
The event, attended by scholars, students, and members of the public, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the relevance of Kantian thought to non-European contexts, and underscored the importance of fostering cross-cultural intellectual dialogue. This series promises to continue examining critical philosophical questions that resonate across cultures and regions.
References
- - https://derdivan.org
- - https://derdivan.org/event/kant-and-the-non-european-critique-justice-and-freedom-mit-aub-oib/
