INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM
Sibiu, 27-28 August 2007 

“PHILOSOPHICAL CONCEPTS AND RELIGIOUS METAPHORS: NEW PERSPECTIVES ON PHENOMENOLOGY AND THEOLOGY” 

CALL FOR PAPERS 

The relationship between phenomenology and theology is one of the most debated topics in the field of Continental philosophy: from the Husserlian investigations of the religious life to the Heideggerian discussion of the Sacred, from the “theological turn” of the French phenomenology (epitomised by E. Levinas, M. Henry, J.-L. Marion or J.-Y. Lacoste) to the ever-growing interest of contemporary theologians for the phenomenological method, the conceptual boundaries between these two “disciplines” have been continuously debated. Until today, this subject remains one of the most controversial and pressing dimensions of contemporary thought.  

The aim of this colloquium is to channel old themes towards new horizons, which will take into account different historical contexts. It has to be said that the setting chosen for this encounter is not without significance. The Romanian city hailed, together with Luxembourg, as the European capital of culture for 2007 reflects a specific mixture of philosophical eccentricity and religious diversity.  The event will gather together philosophers interested in life of the sacred and its multiple discourses, and theologians who openly welcome the phenomenological and “post-metaphysical” understanding of being.

Both types of scholars are called to reflect upon the commonalities of their endeavors, reflected by crucial concepts, such as the “gift”, “person”, “narrative”, “revelation”, “fall”, “death”, “manifestation”, or “event.” 

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Jad HATEM (Lebanon), Jean-Yves LACOSTE (France)

The papers can be held in English, French and German.

Deadline for abstracts (200 words): 20 May 2007

Place: Thalia Hall, Sibiu 

Contact: theology@phenomenology.ro 

Website: http://www.theology.phenomenology.ro