The French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC), Taipei Office organise the following conference:
Presentation
The aim of this research seminar will be to redefine the concepts of Occidentalism and Orientalism from a transcultural (Arabophone, Sinophone) and transdisciplinary (Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Political Sciences) perspective in the contemporary era. The two researchers Rachid Boutayeb (Doha Institute for Graduate Studies) and Jean-Yves Heurtebise (Fujen Catholic University) will define what Occidentalism stands for in post-modern and post-colonial Arabic and Sinitic contexts facing issues of self-identity, reinvented traditions and political contests pro/contra “Modernity.”
I. Between ‘Modernity’ and ‘Contemporaneity’ Toward a Critical Theory of Interculturality
Speaker: Rachid Boutayeb (Doha Institute for Graduate Studies)
Rachid Boutayeb is Assistant Professor of Social Philosophy and Ethics at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. He worked as Lecturer in the disciplines of philosophy, anthropology, and Islamic studies at several German universities. He has written numerous research papers related to the ethics and social philosophy of migration. Most recently he published in German: Tristesse oblige. Eine kleine Philosophie der Nachbarschaft (Alibri, 2022) and in Arabic: Modernity and Contemporaneity: Ideas for an Intercultural Philosophy (Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, 2024)
Abstract:
In my lecture, I argue for a critical intercultural theory distinguishing between “modern” and “contemporary” in Western culture and its achievements. This theory aims to overcome the pitfalls of Traditionalism and Westernization and the dangerous trap of Occidentalism. Occidentalism is an erroneous way of thinking that denies African cultures a mutually enriching relationship with modernity and their cultural and religious heritage. Through a dialogue with contemporary Arab thought, notably the Moroccan historian and philosopher Abdallah Laroui, I advocate an intercultural approach that transcends the Manichean logic of modern thought in the North African context, as well as the seductive appeal of authenticity and contemporaneity.
II. Beyond ‘post-Modernity’ and ‘post-Coloniality’ Toward a post-Kantian Theory of Transculturality
Speaker: Jean-Yves Heurtebise (Fujen Catholic University)
Jean-Yves Heurtebise is Associate Professor of French & Intercultural Studies, Director of the French Department at Fujen Catholic University. He has written more than 50 research papers and book chapters related to Transcultural Philosophy in the domain of the History of Philosophy, Critical Environmentalism and Visual Arts – and among them five AHCI & SSCI papers (Journal of Chinese Philosophy, Sustainability, Esprit, The Journal of World Energy Law & Business, Concentric). Recently he published in French a monograph entitled Orientalisme, occidentalisme et universalisme : Histoire et méthode des représentations croisées entre mondes européens et chinois (Eska 2020) and a collective book with Costantino Maeder Reflets de soi au miroir de l’autre. Les représentations croisées Chine/Europe du vingtième siècle à nos jours (Peter Lang 2022)
Abstract:
In my lecture, I argue for a post-Kantian transcultural theory distinguishing between Modernity and Westernity to define contemporaneity. This theory aims to overcome the pitfalls of Culturalism and Exoticism and the dangerous trap of Occidentalism. Occidentalism is an erroneous way of thinking that denies the constant reciprocal exchanges between “Chinese” and “Western” cultures as well as denies the possibility to rethink the transcendental transculturality of cognitive operations & cultural constructions. Through reference to contemporary Chinese context, I advocate a transcultural approach that transcends both positive and negative Occidentalism in the Chinese context.
Moderator: Hector G. Castaño (National Sun Yat-sen University)
This seminar will be held in English.
Corrado Neri, Director of the CEFC Taipei, will chair the session.
