Workshop and Seminar on the Relevance of Modern Philosophy: Day 1

Thursday, May 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

A-3068

We would like to invite you to a two-day workshop and seminar on May 28–29, dedicated to exploring the contemporary relevance of modern philosophy.

The event will bring together students and faculty to engage with central figures in modern thought, from Montaigne, Bacon, and Hobbes to Husserl, Hartmann, Natorp, Wittgenstein, and Stebbing, with a focus on what it means to be “modern” in the history of ideas in the face of contemporary global political, economic, and ecological crises, and on how modern thought may help shape responses to these crises.

The first day will be a workshop featuring Fatema Amijee (University of British Columbia), Ronald Beiner (University of Toronto), and Michael Della Rocca (Yale University), centered on an edited volume proposal. It will provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the themes, structure, and guiding questions of the project. The format is intended to create a small but intensive setting in which participants can contribute their perspectives on the process of publishing an edited collection and engage closely with established scholars.

The second day will feature a seminar with keynote presentations by Fatema Amijee, Ronald Beiner, and Michael Della Rocca, who will deliver the first contributions to the proposed volume. Each talk will be followed by an extended discussion, allowing participants to reflect on the issues raised and connect them to their own research.

Schedule:

May 28: Workshop

Location: Kiefte Room A3068

11:00–14:00 — Workshop

15:00 — Lunch at Duke of Duckworth

May 29: Seminar

Location: A1046

9:30–10:00 — Breakfast

10:00–11:30 — Fatema Amijee, “Hubris and Humility: Simone Weil and the Moral Foundations of Liberalism”

12:00–13:30 — Ronald Beiner, “Radical Right Ideologues in the Age of Trump: Heralds of Nihilism”

14:00–15:30 — Michael Della Rocca, “Holism and an Antinomy of Rawlsian Liberalism”

15:30–16:30 — Reception

Food and refreshments will be provided during the workshop and before and after the seminar. Lunch at the Duke of Duckworth will be at the participants’ own expense.

Please note that the number of participants for the workshop will be limited. To register for the workshop, or for any further information or questions, please contact Ilgin Aksoy (iaksoy@mun.ca).

We hope to see you there.

Presented by Department of Philosophy

Event Listing 2026-05-28 11:00:00 2026-05-28 14:00:00 America/St_Johns Workshop and Seminar on the Relevance of Modern Philosophy: Day 1 We would like to invite you to a two-day workshop and seminar on May 28–29, dedicated to exploring the contemporary relevance of modern philosophy. The event will bring together students and faculty to engage with central figures in modern thought, from Montaigne, Bacon, and Hobbes to Husserl, Hartmann, Natorp, Wittgenstein, and Stebbing, with a focus on what it means to be “modern” in the history of ideas in the face of contemporary global political, economic, and ecological crises, and on how modern thought may help shape responses to these crises. The first day will be a workshop featuring Fatema Amijee (University of British Columbia), Ronald Beiner (University of Toronto), and Michael Della Rocca (Yale University), centered on an edited volume proposal. It will provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the themes, structure, and guiding questions of the project. The format is intended to create a small but intensive setting in which participants can contribute their perspectives on the process of publishing an edited collection and engage closely with established scholars. The second day will feature a seminar with keynote presentations by Fatema Amijee, Ronald Beiner, and Michael Della Rocca, who will deliver the first contributions to the proposed volume. Each talk will be followed by an extended discussion, allowing participants to reflect on the issues raised and connect them to their own research. Schedule: May 28: Workshop Location: Kiefte Room A3068 11:00–14:00 — Workshop 15:00 — Lunch at Duke of Duckworth May 29: Seminar Location: A1046 9:30–10:00 — Breakfast 10:00–11:30 — Fatema Amijee, “Hubris and Humility: Simone Weil and the Moral Foundations of Liberalism” 12:00–13:30 — Ronald Beiner, “Radical Right Ideologues in the Age of Trump: Heralds of Nihilism” 14:00–15:30 — Michael Della Rocca, “Holism and an Antinomy of Rawlsian Liberalism” 15:30–16:30 — Reception Food and refreshments will be provided during the workshop and before and after the seminar. Lunch at the Duke of Duckworth will be at the participants’ own expense. Please note that the number of participants for the workshop will be limited. To register for the workshop, or for any further information or questions, please contact Ilgin Aksoy (iaksoy@mun.ca). We hope to see you there. A-3068 Department of Philosophy