ATI Summer Seminar in Asian Philosophy and Scholasticism, 2023

ATI Summer Seminar in Asian Philosophy and Scholasticism, 2023:

Neo-Confucians and Scholastics on Practical Reasoning, Deliberation, and Choice

Summer Seminar Date: 13-20 July 2023

Location: Pontifical University fo St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy)

Co-leaders: Fr. James Dominic Rooney, OP (HKBU) & Zemian Zheng (CUHK)

Language: English

ATI Summer School Purpose and Aims: to acquaint scholars of Asian philosophical traditions with scholastic thought, both in its original sources and in contemporary discussions incorporating appeal to scholastic philosophy, as well as to acquaint those interested in scholastic thought with Asian philosophical tradition in the same way.

2023 Theme Description: 

This seminar is intended to provide a primer for graduate students on the views of the scholastics and Neo-Confucians concerning practical reasoning, deliberation, and choice, hoping to pave the way for fruitful philosophical dialogue between these important traditions by bringing together students working on projects in Asian or medieval philosophy, ethics, and metaphysics. Preference will be given to those students already working on issues associated with the theme of the seminar. 

Questions of ‘free will’ have concerned metaphysicians in the West for centuries. While Confucians have not been concerned with the same questions which primarily concerned Western metaphysicians, Confucians have analyzed the moral psychology involved in decision-making and choice, being deeply concerned with the question why individuals act wrongly. 

This seminar will focus on those shared background matters associated with practical reasoning, deliberation, and choice where Western medieval scholastic philosophy and Neo-Confucian Song-Ming era philosophy can offer distinct perspectives on similar issues. 

Format / General Scheme:

• There will be two or three sessions each day for eight days, each day alternating between instructors. Each instructor will open with a lecture, and then we will turn to a seminar-style discussion of the texts and issues at hand. In the final sessions, we will discuss how the material can be applied to each student’s particular area of interest.
• The seminar will take place at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Travel stipends are available on a need basis. All accepted participants will be provided with accommodations and meals.

Applications are now closed and the seminar is full.