Monaco Philosophical Meetings - "Can We Reconnect with Nature? A Conversation - Friday 10 December - 6 p.m. / 8 p.m. - Princess Grace Theatre

As part of a day event on the theme of "Nature" on Friday 10 December, the Princess Grace Theatre will host a conversation entitled " Can We Reconnect with Nature? " (“Peut-on renouer avec la nature?” in French) between Robert Maggiori, founding member of the Monaco Philosophical Meetings, Christian Godin, philosopher, Caroline Lejeune, politician and Grégory Quenet, historian.

The concept of "nature" has such a wide range of meanings that it sparks controversy as soon as we try to define it; and, at the same time, it appears to be inextricably linked to the history of thought, and is ineliminable.  "Nature" can be "everything that is born" and "is there;"  all phenomena, the essence of something, but we refer to "natural" as that which is not artificial – otherwise, what is not "spiritual," when in theology, "nature" is synonymous with "rational" - and finally we refer to "one's own nature" to mean something like an irrepressible instinct.  We speak of "human nature," but we "return to nature," and walk around in it.  It has been taken to mean all the resources of which Man wished to be "master and possessor" – and, in fact, Man and his technology have exploited it limitlessly, to the point of despoiling it, upsetting its balance, destroying it and compromising its future.  Hence, myths of a romantic return to the "natural," to an original and unspoiled nature, have been revived.  Hence, above all, the awareness of the need to overcome anthropocentrism has arisen, and the prospect of integral ecology has been opened up, in which Man assumes responsibility for building a relationship of respect, care and protection towards inert nature and living beings - with all living beings, human and non-human.  How can we envisage such a relationship today?

These day events are free of charge and open to all.

Bookings:  reservation@philomonaco.com

Further information:  contact@philomonaco.com

For full information, see:  www.philomonaco.com

Forthcoming Meetings:

Thursday 13 January 2022:  Belief

Friday 11 March 2022:  The Game

Thursday 7 April 2022:  Freedom

7-12 June 2022:  Philosophy Week