The Faculty of Philosophy of the Radboud University is pleased to host the conference: “The Cartesian “Myth of the Ego” and the Analytic/Continental Divide”, September 3-4, 2010
Keynote speakers: Lynne Rudder Baker, Katalin Farkas, Shaun Gallagher, Tom Sorell, Dan Zahavi
The philosophical scene has been dominated for many years by the analytic/continental divide. This protracted history of antagonism has tended to obscure the fact that at least on one point the two traditions seem to be remarkably close. Despite all the differences in style and choice of topics, both traditions have been strongly shaped by a profound discussion with “Cartesianism”, in particular with a doctrine we label the “Myth of the pure Ego.” This label can be summarized in two claims:
1. the metaphysical and epistemological claim that our self or ego is an immaterial substance, to which we have privileged access through introspection.
2. the methodological claim that this self forms the self-evident starting point of a philosophical system.
This colloquium aims at a critical evaluation of the hidden anti-Cartesian consensus between analytic and continental philosophy. In this context, the colloquium will ask both historiographical and philosophical questions, such as:
• To what extent did Descartes actually defend the “myth of the pure ego”, and what philosophical purposes does this construction serve?
• Is the rift between analytical and continental philosophy as deep as many have portrayed it?
• Which elements of the Cartesian tradition now still seem worth defending?
• Which ones should definitively be rejected, be it on the basis of insights gathered in analytic or on the basis of continental philosophy?
• Can philosophy really do without a “pure self”?
Venue: Senaatszaal Aula (3-9), Huize Heyendaal (4-9), Radboud University Nijmegen (The Netherlands)
Registration: Registration fee, including coffee and lunch: €25 (per day); reduced fee for students (€10). Please contact fleurjongepier@gmail.com with the necessary information (applicable fee and dates). Further details will be provided by e-mail to complete registration. The confirmation will also include the keynotes’ abstracts (abstracts can also be requested prior to registration by the same address). Please note that places are limited.
For conference program click here.
Organizing Committee: Cees Leijenhorst, Marc Slors, Fleur Jongepier.
