[Sokrates] WG: Reductionism: from The Personal to The Political X-Research Group

["Schiffer, Henrietta" <Henrietta.Schiffer@fu-berlin.de>]

The Institute of Philosophy at FU Berlin will host the BUA X-Student Research Group entitled ‘Reductionism: from The Personal to The Political’, led by Mihnea Chiujdea. It will investigate whether a theoretical framework derived from what is known in metaphysics as reductionism about personal identity can be extended to prove the irrationality of right-wing conspiracy theories such as the great replacement (GR). The main working language will be English.

Description: Reductionism accepts that persons exist, they aren’t identical with what constitutes them, but they don’t obtain in addition to this. Thus, personal identity doesn’t matter – we can have a complete account of reality that doesn’t refer to the identity of persons. While the groups that GR is built around – e.g., white culturally Christian Europeans – exist, can we argue that the facts or issues around their existence are such that, like personal identity, they don’t matter? In other words, the hypothesis that we will be exploring is that it is irrational to care about the existence of these groups in a way that would inform public policy, as these myths imply (e.g., affording them rights, scaling back on the right and protection of refugees, immigrants etc.). Instead, what matters is only the rights of the individuals. On the other hand, we will ask how convincing such a hypothesis is, in light of anti-colonial views on the right to (national) self-determination.

The seminar will include training in using research tools and will provide experience in organising workshops and giving talks. It is aimed at MA and advanced BA students from philosophy and the social sciences. Knowledge of personal identity (esp. Parfit), supervenience, critique of far-right ideology welcome but not essential.

Registration: Information on registering for X-Student Research Groups can be found on the Berlin University Alliance website (https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/en/commitments/teaching-learning/sturop/research-groups/stud/index.html).

IMPORTANT: Please note that in order to participate it is important to attend the first meeting on 16 October. If you are unable to attend, please send an email to mihnea.chiujdea@fu-berlin.de

Time and Place: KL 29/239 Übungsraum (Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin)

Crediting: Participation in an X-Student Research Group can be credited in the interdisciplinary compulsory elective area (üWP) / in the free elective area / in the compulsory elective area / in the study area Allemeine Berufsvorbereitung (ABV). In addition, upon individual application, credit can be awarded for other structural areas in BA and MA degree programs.
Module description: https://www.berlin-university-alliance.de/commitments/teaching-learning/sturop/research-groups/information/Modulbeschreibung_StuROPx_X-SRG_6LP.pdf

For students from FU Berlin, arrangements have been made to such that, in addition to the ABV Skills Area Research Practices (ABV Kompetenzbereich Forschungsorientierung, Modul "Forschungsarbeit A"), this X-Student Research Group can also be credited for the following MA module:

• Theoretische Philosophie I und II,
• Praktische Philosophie I und II,
• Stand der Forschung - Recherche und schriftliche Präsentation,
• Konzeption einer eigenständigen Forschungsarbeit

and others upon consultation.

Please see attached for a poster and detailed description of the research group.

Attachment: Research Group Description.pdf
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Attachment: Poster 1 Reductionism From the Personal to The Political.pdf
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