Workshop "Globalization and the New Europe: A Nietzschean Perspective"
(The 15th conference of ISSEI)

Globalization and the New Europe: A Nietzschean Perspective


Chairs:

Endre Kiss,
Professor of Philosophy, University of Budapest, Hungary
andkiss@hu.inter.net

Uschi Nussbaumer-Benz, Zurich, Switzerland
uschi.nussbaumer@bluewin.ch




Globalization is characterized by functional systems, neoliberal regulations, parliamentarism, liberal democracy, universal communication and the development of network structures.
Historically, it may be said to be a dialectical continuation, but at the same time a mutation of modernity. This claim may be further clarified by comparing the relationship between globalism and postmodern values with the relationship of the Enlightenment and the bourgeois world. If we consider the social, political and economic crises of recent years, both in Europe and in the world at large, and their close interdependence, the search for sociological parallels and historical precedents—and, above all, the need to respond to the philosophical challenge posed by historical change—become all the more urgent.
More specifically, the question we want to discuss is to what extent can philosophy, particularly Nietzsche’s philosophy, contribute to redefining culture, politics and identity in Europe as part of a rapidly globalizing world. If these recent crises demand a revaluation of inherited values (Umwertung), should religion be redefined as a new form of integration, of politics? Should ‘imperialism’ be redefined as ‘globalism’? And should we not distinguish among different forms of fundamentalism and ressentiment?
This workshop will thus explore to what extent philosophical concepts, mainly Nietzsche’s concepts and his cultural and historical perspectivism, as well as those developed by the Frankfut School and other intellectual initiatives, are useful for developing a deeper understanding of what is involved in redefining our changing cultural milieus.


Please submit a 350–500 word abstract before 31 March 2016, to Endre Kiss, at: andkiss@hu.inter.net