[SydPhil] University of Sydney Philosophy Seminar Series, Ulrik Nissen, (Aarhus University, Denmark)

[Ryan Cox]

Hi everyone,

This week's speaker in the University of Sydney Philosophy Seminar Series is Ulrik Nissen, (Aarhus University, Denmark)

The title of the talk is “The Responsiveness of Nature. A Phenomenological Approach to the Responsibility for the “More-Than-Human-Nature””. Here is an abstract for the talk:

The concept of responsibility is inherently responsive and relational. It places us in a moral demand before the other, to whom we are morally obliged to respond. In responding to the other, we do so in two ways: firstly, through the act of 'living with' and 'being with' the other; and secondly, through a moral reflection on what we ought to do. This presentation argues that it is from the responsive encounter with the "more-than-human" other that the imperative of responsibility arises for the flourishing of the common good of all living beings. The following questions are therefore addressed: How can we listen to the more-than-human world and enable its participation? How can we interact? The approach will be phenomenological, with the argument being made that the "being with the other" is a pre-existing condition. Even before we are aware of it, we are immersed in the phenomenon of life. This phenomenon of life encompasses the "more-than-human" world and, as the presentation argues, also gives rise to a moral obligation. As human beings, we are bound to the "more-than-human" other, and thus called to listen to and respond with appropriate responsibility. The presentation falls in three parts. In the first part we turn to relatively recent philosophical approaches regarding the relation between responsiveness and responsibility. The second section turns to the Danish philosopher and theologian, K.E. Løgstrup, for his understanding of the senses in relation to the universe as he calls it. The third part returns to the question of responsiveness with the aim to argue for the link between responsiveness and responsibility and to argue that this entails a call for responsibility to the “more-than-human-nature”.

The seminar will take place at 3:30pm on Wednesday Oct 16 in the Philosophy Seminar Room (N494).

Enquiries about the seminar series can be directed to ryan.cox at sydney.edu.au

Ryan Cox
Associate Lecturer in Philosophy
Discipline of Philosophy
School of Humanities
University of Sydney

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