Head of RAU Department of Political Science Hovhannes Sargsyan took part in the XXV World Congress of Philosophy (WPC), held in Rome on August 1-8. The venue for the Congress was the Sapienza University of Rome.

The Congress brought together over five thousand leading scientists from more than one hundred countries. Within the framework of the Congress, more than one hundred thematic sections, symposia, round tables and sessions of national philosophical societies were organized. The cultural program of the Congress was also quite rich, with some events held in historically significant places of the Eternal City. The opening, which was held in the Baths of Caracalla, in addition to the official welcoming speeches, included fragments of the Summer Festival of the Rome Opera House. A series of philosophical and musical events were organized under the title "Philosophers under the Stars" in Palatine, as well as a "philosophical walk" in the Colosseum. The official closing of the Congress at Sapienza University ended with a concert of Italian music.

A large group of scholars from Armenia, as well as famous Armenian philosophers from the Diaspora, participated in the work of the Congress. For the first time, a separate session of the Armenian Philosophical Academy (APA) was organized under the title "Philosophical Research in Armenia", where more than ten reports were presented. Before the beginning of the session, the Chairman of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies Luca Scarantino, Professor of the University of Dublin Maria Baghramyan and Professor of the University of New York Paul Poghosyan were awarded the "David Anhaght" medal of the Armenian Philosophical Academy. After the session, a gala evening was organized, which was also attended by the Ambassadors of Armenia to Italy and the Vatican. 

Head of RAU Department of Political Science H. Sargsyan delivered a report at the AFA session on the topic "The Synthetic Nature of Medieval Armenian Philosophy in the Context of the Development of National Identity."  

"This year, the Congress was held under the motto "Philosophy Beyond Borders." And this is symbolic. Philosophy, by its very nature, "builds bridges" and promotes dialogue between cultures and civilizations. This is especially relevant today in the context of growing confrontation in the international arena. From this point of view, it is also important that one of the official working languages of the Congress was Russian. It was in Russian that some of the reports at the AFA session were made, including mine," he shared. 

It should be mentioned that the World Congress of Philosophy is the largest global forum on philosophy and is held every 4-5 years. The event is traditionally organized by the International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP). The next congress will be held in Japan in 2028.

 

 

Translated by Julietta Mkrtchian
I year Master’s Student in Translation & Interpretation, RAU