Is There a Plurality of Natures? Intercultural Reflections on the Philosophy of Nature

The BIP, aligned with the Hub theme “Heritage and Global Epistemologies”, focuses on the following question: how can we gain a new perspective on nature, while deconstructing the notion of nature shaped by European culture, a notion all too often considered self-evident and scientific? Is there a gap between nature and culture, as European philosophy has argued for centuries? Or should we follow anthropologist Philippe Descola, who shows that in other societies this distinction either does not exist at all or, conversely, leaves room for the idea that there is only one “culture,” while beings differ in terms of their various “natures”?

During this interdisciplinary course, participants - philosophy and cultural theory PhD students from all CIVIS universities - will have the opportunity to work alongside lecturers from five different CIVIS universities on the “Is There a Plurality of Natures? Intercultural Reflections on the Philosophy of Nature” topic. 

By taking a phenomenological approach to explore the experience of nature, we will be able to determine whether, as Klaus Held suggests, there is an “invariant” of nature underlying all possible “worlds”, or if nature is merely a “worldly” phenomenon, as Martin Heidegger proposes. 

We also examine various philosophical perspectives ranging from ancient Greece to the present day, and from European to non-European philosophy. This enables us to understand the origins of the current concept of nature, and how different approaches can deepen our understanding.

We reconsider the gap between nature and culture by taking an intercultural approach. It allows us to show how ideas, cultures and traditions depend on their environment, while acknowledging the way in which they allow the environment itself to emerge like the one sustaining them, as the philosopher Tetsuro Watsuji argues. 

Thus, we bring into discussion the fact that “nature” appears always differently and that, instead of being a substantial, immutable reality, it is rather an interrogation, to which we, as humans, respond always in a different way.

To which questions and challenges of nature must our epoch respond and how do these challenges mirror our way of understanding humanity?

The course is part of a PhD-network we established amongst CIVIS-Universities in the field of Plural Ontologies and Intercultural Philosophy. The added value of the project consists of:

1. a student-centred approach
2. a research-based approach
3. a unique scientific perspective: there are few specialists in intercultural philosophy in Europe, intercultural philosophy not being widely represented in the universities of the project. The course’s subject is relevant to broader European and global challenges. Our approach tackles both a cultural and philosophical understanding of nature, as well as current issues such as the ethics of our relationship with nature and human responses to contemporary environmental problems.

During the in-person workshop each participant presents a paper on parts of her/ his dissertation project, related to the class.  

• train students for the research by providing them with the opportunity to take part in academic discussions on specific texts and by receiving feedback from the lecturers and their fellow students both throughout the semester, as well as – and mainly – throughout the in-person workshop;
• give the lecturers the opportunity to network with researchers working on fields close to their own, beyond the borders of their own university;
• contribute to the development of the established CIVIS PhD Network “Plural Ontologies and Intercultural Philosophy”, bringing together academics and PhD students from several CIVIS universities.

• getting answers and results with regard to at least some of the research questions and problems that the students formulated in the beginning of the class;
• gaining the ability to critically engage with philosophical questions regarding nature, environment and interculturality and with contemporary themes like climate change and the nature/culture relationship;
• the ability to work in an interdisciplinary group and to exchange cross-disciplinary;
• the ability to present one's own research in front of a wider academic public;

In addition, the course is meant to provide opportunities to network amongst different CIVIS-universities and to create a network of alumni.

During the physical component, students will present their own research, related to the BIP theme. Colleagues and lecturers will then ask questions at the end of each presentation, and during the workshop lecturers will provide feedback both on the presentations, as well as on the candidates' doctoral research and participation in class in its entirety.

The lecturers will also give presentations related to the BIP theme, and the students will be able to ask questions and engage in discussions at the end of each one.

These learning activities encourage students to present their research to a wider audience and attend academic conferences, preparing them for their future careers. At the same time, students will gain an interdisciplinary experience by engaging with professors, fellow students, and themes that extend beyond their own field of specialisation. 

As both students and lecturers come from a variety of cultural backgrounds within and beyond Europe, interculturality is a key aspect of the programme, broadening students' horizons and enabling them to engage with different cultures and ideas.

In addition to the classroom activities, the students will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of Bucharest and visit some of the city's most important museums. This will enhance their knowledge of the country and enable them to establish personal contacts beyond the academic setting.

Students must prepare the literature covered during the online phase of the programme each week. In addition, they will give a presentation during the in-person workshop.

During the virtual component, lecturers will assess students' commitment to the class by noting attendance, checking preparation for the session and assessing willingness to contribute to discussion, as well as the quality of contributions.

However, the main assessment will take place during the in-person workshop. Participants will present part of their PhD projects, and all lecturers will comment on the presentations and provide feedback.

Feedback may be also provided throughout the year if PhD students request it.

The assessment methods are aligned with the interdisciplinary nature of the programme in that students are evaluated on their ability to conduct research and engage in discussions about scientific texts after reading them critically. Thus, the assessment is also consistent with the workload, of which the greater part consists in individual working hours. 

Throughout the online classes and the workshop, the focus is on the research process rather than the mere content of each student's contributions.

Motivation Letter

CV

Research project outlines

Candidates will be selected by the organizing committee on the basis of their online applications, taking into consideration the fulfillment of the formal requested criteria (domain of research, PhD students, language proficiency), as well as the information offered by the students in their Letter of Intent.

• Bogdan Mincă (Bucharest),
• Sebastian Hüsch (Aix-Marseille), 
• Niels Weidtmann (Tübingen), 
• Gerasimos Kakoliris (Athens), 
• Mohammed ech-Cheikh (Casablanca), 
• Georgios Steiris (Athens), 
• Mădălina Masoud (Tübingen)

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe.

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