Event: Philosophy Seminar on Religious Justification in the Political Public Sphere
Date: Wednesday 20 March 2024
Time: 17:30
Venue: OH113, Old Humanities Building, University of Malta, Msida Campus
Speaker: Dr Keith Pisani (University of Malta)
Abstract
J眉rgen Habermas has proposed a moderate form of exclusivism which argues that while religious justifications should be allowed in the informal public spheres, they need to be translated to non-religious language to be admitted in formal fora such as legislative bodies. One of the main reasons given by Habermas to justify such a position is that religious justifications are necessarily dogmatic, as opposed to non-religious ones. This reason has been challenged by various theorists who have claimed that a sharp distinction between religious and non-religious justification in the ethical sphere cannot be maintained. The seminar will explore this debate and argue that a qualified distinction can be rationally maintained.
Bionote
Keith Pisani has recently obtained his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Malta, with his doctoral research focusing on the effects of social complexity on autonomous agency in rationalised societies. His research interests include the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School and Democratic Theory. He currently teaches Philosophy at St. Aloysius College Sixth Form.
For further information about the Department of Philosophy鈥檚 Research Seminars series, please contact the convenor, Prof. Jean-Paul De Lucca by sending an email.
