RICERCA ITALIANA     

Intercultural philosophy

Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II"

Abstract

A scientific methodological approach to intercultural issues aims at highlighting not only the viewpoint offered by the comparative analysis of cultures, philosophies and anthropological models but also the ethical and political (and, above all, philosophical-conceptual) dimensions which nowadays characterize the categories of multiculturalism, intercultural communication, the development of a universal and democratic citizenship, intersubjectivity, human rights and, more importantly, intercultural relationships. There are multifaceted interpretative models which are related to these concepts and need to be analysed step by step.
From a historical reconstructive point of view, the complex debate which has enveloped Western political philosophy in the last two decades of the 20th-century can be analysed by focussing on the confrontation between communitarian relativism and the universalism of liberal roots. The most important names in this debate are Rawls, MacIntyre, Taylor, Habermas, Sen, Nussbaum, Sartori, Rorty, etc.
However, it is equally important to conduct a retrospective enquiry into the transformations of intercultural communication and its ethical-philosophical aspects in practical philosophies with Aristotelian roots or belonging to the Kantian tradition and also in some historicistic paradigms inaugurated by Vico, with his extraordinary theory of common sense. From a theoretical and a conceptual point of view, the degree of change which the >>>

Principal Investigator

Giuseppe CACCIATORE Università degli Studi di NAPOLI "Federico II"

Research Objectives

This PRIN is an attempt at comprehending and clarifying the meanings, contents and methods of intercultural philosophy. This philosophy can be analysed at different levels: as a new academic career path (as witnessed by the new degree courses, masters and PhD courses together with research centres and specific projects launched by local authorities and associations) and as a new and decisive educational approach which meets the needs arising from the ever increasing phenomena of immigration. Researchers and educational experts of contemporary science of formation are well aware that intercultural issues are the main focus of a wide range of research with applied research projects carried out by universities and schools.
A scientific methodological approach to intercultural issues aims at highlighting not only the viewpoint offered by the comparative analysis of cultures, philosophies and anthropological models but also the ethical and political (and, above all, philosophical-conceptual) dimensions which nowadays characterize the categories of multiculturalism, intercultural communication, the development of a universal and democratic citizenship, intersubjectivity, human rights and, more importantly, intercultural relationships. There are multifaceted interpretative models which are related to these concepts and need to be analysed step by step.
From a historical reconstructive point of view, the complex debate which has enveloped Western political philosophy >>>

Timescale

24 months

National and international background

The starting point is offered by different kinds of contributions (translations, essays and monographs) on 17th- and 20th-century authors and subjects which are in various ways relevant from the perspective of the definition of the notions of "culture", "intercultural philosopy", "multiculturalism", "human right", "citizenship", in which several current of philosophical, scientific and historical thought have taken part.