Global Philosophy Research Interest Group Talk (Monika Kirloskar-Steinbach, Vriije Universiteit, Amsterdam)

The Global Philosophy Research Interest Group is delighted to welcome as guest speaker Monika Kirloskar-Steinbach, who currently holds the chair of “Diversifying Philosophies” at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. Dr. Kirosklar-Steinbach’s research focuses on world philosophies. She edits the Journal of World Philosophies, the Bloomsbury Studies in World Philosophies, and the Bloomsbury Introductions to World Philosophies. She also works on immigration ethics, cultural pluralism, structural injustice, and other issues pertaining to public philosophy.

This is an in-person event, but for those unable to attend locally, we offer the option to participate on Zoom.

Join Zoom meeting: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/84954036671

Talk Title

Experiencing Nature through Art

Talk Abstract

My talk will attempt to start a conversation between Arne Naess who coined the term ‘deep ecology’, the Indian poet-philosopher-artist Rabindranath Tagore and the ecofeminist philosopher Val Plumwood. In her Feminism and Mastery of the Universe, Plumwood notes that proponents of deep ecology like Naess are strongly attracted to “mystical traditions” and “Perennial Philosophy” in which the self is merged with the other. Neither does Plumwood elaborate what she means by a mystical tradition nor does she provide an example of a so-called Perennial Philosophy. 

My talk will illustrate that a self-identifying proponent of a so-called mystic position like Tagore does not necessarily merge the self with the other. In fact, his position can be implemented to correct loopholes Plumwood identifies in Naessian deep ecology.

The Global Philosophy Research Interest Group explores the benefits of drawing on diverse traditions of thought in approaching philosophical questions. These include novel insights into familiar problems, new questions and research directions, and fresh methodologies. We work to deprovincialize and decolonize all aspects of philosophy in the academy. The group currently has strengths in Sanskrit philosophy, and Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy in English, and classical Islamic philosophy.