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International Varna Philosophical School

Philosophy Bridging Civilizations and Cultures
Universal, Regional, National Values in United Europe
The V Session of the International Varna Philosophical School, which will be held between 1st and 3rd of June, 2006 at the Residence of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Varna, is designated to bring together the scientific endeavors of international philosophical research discussing the problems of the relationship between diversity and unity in integrating and enlarging Europe. It will draw the attention of the experts and the general public towards the most essential, acute and sensitive issues, associated with the philosophical reasoning, justification and interpretation of the themes of the universal, regional and national in the universal paradigm of united Europe. These topics will be focused on the controversies, inspired by the EU’s enlargement and the inclusion of new countries, since the expanding diversity of cultures, ethnicities, religions, languages, etc. could be a factor for the increase of the disagreements and the trends of disintegration in Europe, as well as for the enhancement of each particular national culture.

The discussions will take place in four sections, each concentrating on a specific thematic circle:

FIRST SECTION: How European and national philosophies correlate and how they should correlate?

• What is our reaction to the current philosophical debate for united Europe? (Habermas, Derrida, Rorty, Vatimo, Eco, etc.)
• Is the development of common European philosophy necessary as a prerequisite for a European unity?
• How can we appraise the expanding British and American analytic philosophy in Europe?
• What are the philosophical dimensions of the European conceptual and spiritual space?
• What is the philosophical essence of the European civilization and culture?
• What kind of Europe is necessary and achievable – social, liberal, conservative?
• Could philosophy contribute for the reassessment and the approval of the European constitution?
• What are the risks facing Europe and Europeans and what responsibilities they have to take?

SECOND SECTION: Constructing the European identity – utopian, messianic or realistic?

• How to accomplish unity at an increasing diversity?
• How to combine globalization with the fragmentation of European cultures and territories?
• How to construct Europe as unified cultural space and preserve national cultures?
• What is the future of European culture in the era of globalization and fragmentation?
• Could multiculturalism be dangerous?
• What are the philosophical foundations of cosmopolitism and multiculturalism?
• Is unifying culture possible?
• What are the tendencies in the manifestation of hegemonic and marginal cultures in Europe?

THIRD SECTION: How Europe could avoid the "clash of civilizations"?

• What are the perspectives of national states and nations in Europe?
• Are the integrating capacities of European societies weakened in the light of the events in France during November 2005?
• Has nationalism a future in globalization and Euro integration circumstances?
• How to evaluate the revitalizing regionalism, decentralization and separatism in Europe?
• Is Islam dangerous for the integration of Europe?
• Is there a threat of islamization and “clash of civilizations” in Europe?
• Is Euro Islam, attuned to the European values possible?
• Is the "melting of Muslims" into a common unified European culture possible?
• What is the future of Christianity and secularism in the European culture?

FOURTH SECTION: Ontology, Epistemology, and Philosophy of science in the European cultural tradition

• Perspectives for Ontology, Epistemology, and Philosophy of science in Europe and all over the world.
• The value of science and scientific values in a contemporary philosophical perspective.
• The future of applied ontologies and regional ontologies as philosophical creative work.
• Philosophy of science between modern and postmodern visions of science.
• Non-classical logics as a philosophical and cultural challenge.

Varna International Philosophical School is a major philosophical forum in South East Europe traditionally organized by the Institute for Philosophical Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Union of Scientists in Bulgaria. The School is a member of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies. During the last sixteen years the School sessions have been attended by more than 600 researchers in humanities, philosophy and social sciences from countries of Europe, USA, Canada and Asia. The Association of Philosophical Societies has included the School into the agenda of the World Congresses of Philosophy.

During the School the participants are expected to present their papers (15 minutes and 5 to 10 minutes for discussion) in one of the four sections.

The working languages of the School are Bulgarian, Russian and English. Translation will be arranged when necessary.

The Proceedings of the School will be published in English.

Participation Fee - 50 Euro, Students – 20 Euro

Accommodation:
Room per night 6 Euro
Food per day 6 Euro

The Residence of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences is situated at the Golden Sands Resort at the Black Sea near Varna. There is a regular bus route from the Airport and Varna bus station.

Address of the Residence of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Varna:
Varna
Golden Sands Resort
“Journalist” Bus Station
Tourist Complex “Tchayka”

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL VARNA PHILOSOPHICAL SCHOOL
Sofia 1000
Institute for Philosophical Research
6, Patriarch Evtimiy Blvd
E-mail: philosophybulgaria@abv.bg
Tel: 359 2 9810791