The Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) has the pleasure of inviting you to a seminar with Professor Richard Ned Lebow on:
The Politics of Ethics and Identity
Tuesday, 15 May 2012, 14.00-16.00
Danish Institute for International Studies
Main Auditorium
Strandgade 71, ground floor, 1401 Copenhagen K
Background
Richard Ned Lebow has written a new book on The Politics of Ethics and Identity which will be published by Cambridge University Press later this year. In the book, Lebow delves deep into the paradox that although human beings are multiple, fragmented and changing selves we nevertheless, believe we have unique and consistent identities. What accounts for this illusion? Why has the problem of identity become so central in post-war scholarship, fiction and the media?
Following Hegel, Richard Ned Lebow contends that the defining psychological feature of modernity is the tension between our reflexive and social selves. To address this problem, he develops four generic strategies of identity that are associated with four distinct political orientations. He develops his arguments through comparative analysis of ancient and modern literary, philosophical, religious and musical texts. He asks how we might come to terms with the fragmented and illusionary nature of our identities and explores some political and ethical implications of doing so.
Lebow clearly raises some controversial issues. At the seminar, he will present some of these issues, and Jacinta O’Hagan will contribute by offering a discussion of Lebow’s book, followed by an open discussion with the audience.
Speakers
Richard Ned Lebow, Professor, Dartmouth, USA
Jacinta O’Hagan, Senior Fellow, Australian National University
Trine Flockhart, Senior Researcher, DIIS
Programme
14.00-14.05 Introduction
Trine Flockhart, Senior Researcher, DIIS
14.05-14.45 The Politics of Ethics and Identity – An Introduction
Richard Ned Lebow, Professor, Dartmouth, USA
14.45-15.00 Coffee Break
15.00-15.20 The Politics of Ethics and Identity – A Discussion
Jacinta O’Hagan, Senior Fellow, Australian National University
15.20-16.00 Open Discussion
Chair: Trine Flockhart, Senior Researcher, DIIS
Practical Information
The seminar will be held in English.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use below online registration form no later than Monday, 14 May 2012 at 12.00 noon. |
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