Conference Schedule

Thursday, April 12

The conference begins with a theoretical reflection on the concept of the secular in the history of philosophy. The subject is to be presented in the form of seminars, intended for an audience of graduate students and researchers in philosophy.

9:00-9:30
Coffee & Breakfast

9:30-10:45 (Collins)
Augustine, City of God (c. 426 C.E.)
Joseph Clair (Fordham University)
Respondent: Chris Cullen, SJ (Fordham University)

11:00-12:15 - (Collins)
Max Weber, The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1905)
Liesbet Quaeghebeur (University of Antwerp)
Respondent: James Kelly (Fordham University)

12:30-1:30
Lunch

1:45-3:00 - (Duane, 3rd floor)
Carl Schmitt, Political Theology (1922)
Sven Braspenning (University of Antwerp)
Fernand Tanghe (University of Antwerp)

3:15-4:30 - (Duane, 3rd floor)
Hans Blumenberg, The Legitimacy of the Modern Age (1966)
Rosa Slegers (Fordham University)
Respondent: Guido Vanheeswijck (University of Antwerp)
 

Friday, April 13

9:30-10:00
Coffee & Breakfast

10:00-11:15 -(Collins)
Marchel Gauchet, The Disenchantment of the World (1985)
Fernand Tanghe (University of Antwerp)
Respondent: Adam Konopka (Fordham University)

11:30-1:00 - (Collins)
Alasdair MacIntyre, Whose Justice? Which Rationality?
 (1988)
Brendon Palla & Adam Wood (Fordham University)
Respondent: Samir Haddad (Fordham University)

1:00-7:00 - Break


Evening lectures

The evening lectures offer a wide-ranging philosophical exploration of the questions, presuppositions and recent developments that surround the issue of secularism. The lectures aim at a broad audience of people interested in philosophy or in the issues of secularity, secularism and secularization.

7:00-8:00
The End of Autonomy
Prof. M. Westphal
(Fordham University)

8:00-9:00
The End of Secularization
Prof. G. Vanheeswijck
(University of Antwerp)

9:00-9:30
Panel Discussion

9:30-11:00
Reception

Saturday, April 14

During the last day of the conference, contemporary reflection on secularization and the end(s) of secular thought and society will be on the agenda. Young philosophers from different traditions of thought will present short discussion papers to a broad audience. The morning and afternoon session will be concluded by a plenary session by two invited speakers.

9:00-9:20
Registration/Coffee

9:20-9:30
Introduction
Gary Gabor (Fordham University)

9:30-10:00
Kant and the End of Faith
Eoin O'Connell (Fordham University)

10:00-10:30
The Pleasure of Provocation: Another View of the Rise and Fall of Secular Thought
Herbert De Vriese (University of Antwerp)

10:30-11:00
The Political End of Secular Thought: A Natural Law Perspective
Gary Gabor(Fordham University)

11:00-11:20
Panel Discussion
O'Connell, De Vriese, Gabor

11:20-11:40
Coffee Break

11:40-12:20
Plenary Session
The Relation Between Law and Religion in the History of Ideas: A Contempory Perspective
Prof. Maurice Adams (University of Antwerp)

12:30-2:00
Lunch (Arthur Ave.)

2:00-2:30
  How to Understand the End of Secular Thought?
Henri Bergson and the Pendulum Between Mechanism and Mysticism
Mia Vaerman (University of Antwerp)

2:30-3:00
After Secularism: Reconfiguring the Public Sphere
  Ken Crimmins (Fordham University)

3:00-3:30
Secular Heritage in Post-Secular Philosophy:
 Adorno in the Backyard
  Virginia Tassinari (University of Antwerp)

3:30-3:50
Panel Discussion
Vaerman, Crimmins, Tassinari

3:50-4:10
Coffee Break

4:10-4:50
Plenary Session
Religion in the Public Sphere: How Deliberative Democracy Offers a Middle Road
Prof. J. Davenport (Fordham University)

5:00-6:00
Closing Reception