Philosophy in Iran

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December 7, 6 p.m.: Discussion between Tehranian Professors of Philosophy Hossein Mesbahian and Meysam Sefidkhosh / Joint Event of Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies, Institute of Philosophy, and Goethe-Institute

‘ 425/2016 from Dec 01, 2016

Where do current philosophical debates stand between tradition and modernity in present-day Iran? The Iranian philosophers Hossein Mesbahian and Meysam Sefidkhosh Darüber were invited by the Goethe-Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Philosophy and the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies, both of Freie Universität Berlin, to discuss these issues. The evening discussion will focus on the topic "Philosophical Discourse and Modernity. Current Positions from Iran." The speakers will address the criticism of a Eurocentric concept of modernity as well as the issue of an Iranian narrative of modern philosophy. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Roman Seidel from the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies. The host is Stefan Gosepath from the Institute of Philosophy, Freie Universität Berlin. The event is public and will take place in English. Registration is not required.

Iran has a centuries-old tradition of philosophy. Thinkers such as the Muslim philosopher and scholar al-Farabi (died 950) or the Persian physician, physicist, and philosopher Avicenna (died 1037) not only influenced the philosophy of the Islamic world, but also had a significant influence on the development of philosophy in Europe. On the other hand, since the end of the 19th century, Iranian philosophers have been adapting the thinking of European philosophers of the Enlightenment and modernity, which to this day complements the traditions of Islamic philosophy in Iran.

On the Panel:

  • Hossein Mesbahian (University of Tehran): "European Modernity and the Exclusion of the Other"
  • Meysam Sefidkhosh (Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran): "Narrating Modernity and its Other. The Case of Hegel in Iran"

Time and Location:

  • Wednesday, December 7, 2016, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Philosophy, Habelschwerdter Allee 30, former library (basement), 14195 Berlin (subway station: Thielplatz, U 3)