The ideas of respect (understood in terms of respect for persons as well as
in terms of self-respect) and dignity have attracted an enormous amount of
philosophical attention in recent years\, especially within the fields of
ethics\, sociology\, political theory\, and legal philosophy. Notably\, as many
political philosophers have contended (see for instance Rawls\, Raz\,
Nussbaum\, Hill\, Feinberg)\, the concepts at issue - either separately
examined or addressed in their mutual relations - have the power to promote
a political praxis based on the recognition of the collective identities of
oppressed\, subordinated or marginal groups. So understood\, respect and
defense of human dignity can be envisaged not only as general guides to
ethical practice\, but also as two of the most forceful normative political
principles to which liberal democratic institutions are committed in their
attempt to negotiate different types of tensions inherent in political life.
Such a vivid upsurge of interest in the ideals of respect and dignity
has not been matched by a similar degree of conceptual clarity relative to
their meaning\, reciprocal relations and role in the implementation of
policies. Even more remarkably\, rare are the attempts to address the
concepts at issue from the perspective of history of philosophy and history
of ideas. The aim of this conference is to foster discussion and contribute
to a comprehensive understanding of the functions and semantic nuances of
respect and dignity from both a theoretical and a properly historic-
philosophical standpoint.
The conference will address the following questions:
&bull\; \; \; \; What are the relationships between respect for persons and self-
respect?
&bull\; \; \; \; What kind/s of respect is/are involved in the recognition of the
moral authority supposedly possessed by human beings? How does such an
authority shape the nature of individual dignity?
&bull\; \; \; \; \;What are the main underpinnings of the idea of &ldquo\;equal respect&rdquo\;? How
does the idea of respect connect with that of equality of status?
&bull\; \; \; \; What do we mean by &ldquo\;inherent dignity&rdquo\; of a human being?
&bull\; \; \; \; What are the social bases self-respect? How do these contribute to
the promotion of fair policies?
&bull\; \; \; \; Is there any attempt to conceptualize different types of respect
and/or dignity in the history of philosophy? In case there is\, did it affect
the contemporary reflection on the problems of respect and justice\, and how?
&bull\; \; \; \; What are the main underpinnings of Kant&rsquo\;s view of respect and
dignity? What is the ultimate object of respect in his philosophy? The moral
law? Persons?
Non-presenters can register by sending an email to carla.jemma@unipv.it by
May 5th.
Conference Programme
26th May\, 2014
9.00-9.30. Registration and Welcome Address
9.30-11.00 Keynote Lecture: Robin Dillon
11.00-11.30: Coffee Break
11.30-13.00: Ancient Views of Respect and Self-Respect
(1) \; \; Chair: Federico Zuolo (Università\; di Pavia)
- \; \; \; Giovanni Giorgini (Università\; di Bologna)\, Respect and Justice: What
can we learn from Plato and Protagoras?
- \; \; \; Simon Weber (University of Bonn)\, Aristotle on &ldquo\;Human Dignity&rdquo\;
(2) \; \; Chair: Elena Irrera (Università\; di Bologna)
- \; \; \; Pia Campeggiani (Università\; di Bologna)\, The Ancient Greek Roots of
the Idea of Self-Respect: Notes on its Relation with Equality and Justice
- \; \; \; Arianna Fermani (Università\; di Macerata)\, Respect for Oneself and
for Others: Aristotle's Reflection on Suicide
Lunch: 13.00-14.30
14.30-16.00: \;Modern Perspectives on Respect and Self-Respect
(3) \; \; Chair: Chiara Testino (Università\; di Pavia)
- \; \; \; Elena Irrera (Università\; di Bologna)\, From the State of Nature to a
Sovereign Power. Hobbes on Respect for Persons and Self-respect
- \; \; \; Christine Bratu (Ludwig-Maximilians-