Violence and the sacred

Hadi Fakhoury (Harvard University), Hent De De Vries, William Johnsen, Markus Wierschem, William Cavanaugh, Margo Kitts (Hawaii Pacific University)

Philosophical, Literary and Theological Perspectives 

Online Workshop, Saint Joseph University of Beirut

February 27th, 2026, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Beirut Time)

17:00–17:25 Hadi Fakhoury (Saint Joseph University of Beirut) Islam, or the violent resurgence of the past in Schelling’s philosophy of mythology 

17:25–17:50, Hent de Vries (New York University) The Apocalyptic Motif 

17:50–18:15 William Johnsen (Michigan State University) Confirming Orwell: We always know what we are doing, we choose what to do 

18:15–18:40 Markus Wierschem (University of Paderborn) Apocalyptic Logic and Escalatory Violence in Cormac McCarthy's Outer Dark 

18:40–19:05 William Cavanaugh (DePaul University) Religion, Violence, and Idolatry 

19:05–19:30 Margo Kitts (Hawai’i Pacific University) Ritualized Violence in the Iliad 

19:30–20:00 Discussion and questions 

Organizing committee

Stephanie Jabre
Pamela Krause
Marguerite Asmar Bou Aoun 

The meeting link is on the PDF.