PhD Courses in Denmark

CFP.Humor.Education.Quest_for_a_Good_Life.5-2024.pdf (au.dk)

“When nothing goes right, go left” – this humoristic postcard inscription invites its readers to laugh, or at least smile, about the situations in which we seem to have ended up in a cul-de-sac, a dead end, a blind alley. We are re-directed from the one end to the other end, without knowing whether ‘left’ is better than ‘right.’ When being caught in an ethical dilemma or a double bind, either way reaches an impasse.

How can we regain hope and the courage to live despite finding ourselves in rather desperate situations, for instance in regard to the current climate crisis, conflicts and wars as well as personal life crises?

This course and conference will explore responses that involve (1) humor as a powerful tool for managing unresolvable conflicts and for reviving one’s spirits in one’s way of relating to oneself and others, (2) education for peaceful and environmentally sustainable solutions to global problems and, more generally, (3) the quest for a good life, whatever this means in concrete cases.

In her book Philosophy, Humor, and the Human Condition – Taking Ridicule Seriously (2019), Lydia Amir argues that the homo risibilis resolves the tensions and contradictions of our conditio humana without epistemological cost by addressing life’s ambiguities without losing sight of its tragic overtones, thus bringing along far-ranging personal and social benefits.

This thesis will be discussed in an interdisciplinary dialogue between philosophy, educational science, literary studies, religious studies, and other relevant disciplines – thereby showing connections between humor and human flourishing.

Aim
This course aims to

1. show connections between humor and human flourishing in classical texts
2. provide an introduction into and a critical discussion of theories and practices of educating younger generations in life orientation, conflict resolution and approaching the climate crisis
3. outline an interdisciplinary approach to the quest for a good life.

The course material will be forwarded by email

Target group
This course will primarily target PhD students, but advanced MA students, postdoctoral research fellows, as well as colleagues interested in the theme are welcome, too.

Lecturers
Course responsible: Claudia Welz
Invited speakers: Finn Thorbjørn Hansen (Aalborg), Tami Yaguri (Ono Academic College), Bernhard Obsieger (Saint Louis University, Madrid), Essi Maria Ikonen (University of Helsinki)

Programme

Course day 1 (May 30): Humor and Education

9:00-9:15       Welcome and introduction by course convenor Claudia Welz

9:15-10:00     Reading session 1: Wonder-based education since Socrates

10:00-10:30   Coffee break

10:30-11:15   Keynote lecture1 : Finn Thorbjørn Hansen (Aalborg University):

“On the Deep Relation Between Wonder, Humor, and Eco-Bildung”

11:15-12:00   Discussion

12:00-12:45   Lunch break

12:45-13:45   PhD paper 1 by Erik Evensen (University of Agder, Kristiansand): “Bildung and the Ethics of Practice – A Critique of Rationality in Bildung-Centered Educational Philosophy”

13:45-14:45   PhD paper 2 by Lone Vesterdal (University of Southern Denmark): “Humor in Pastoral Care”

14:45-15:00   Coffee break

15:00-16:00   Essi Maria Ikonen (University of Helsinki): “Imaginaries for a Sustainable Future: Learning from Animal Stories"

Course day 2 (May 31): Humor and the Good Life

9:15-10:00     Reading session 2: Kierkegaard & Amir on humor and the good life

10:00-10:30   Coffee break

10:30-11:15   Keynote lecture 2: Bernhard Obsieger (Saint Louis University, Madrid Campus): “Irony, Humor, and the Quest for a Good Life”

11:15-12:00   Discussion

12:00-13:00   Lunch break

13:00-14:00   PhD paper 3 by Igor Ahmedov (University of Tartu):

“Can we Teach the Good Life? Learning from and of the Paradox”

14:00-15:00   Tami Yaguri (Ono Academic College):

“Kierkegaardian Humor’s Way to Self-Knowledge”

15:00-15:30   Open discussion and ‘wrapping up’

15:30-16:00   Course evaluation and suggestions for future courses

ECTS
1,5 ECTS for preparation and participation without paper
2,5 ECTS for attending the course and presenting a paper (No further slots available)

Date
May 30-31, 2024 (9:00-16:00 on both days)

Venue
Konferencecenteret, Frederik Nielsens Vej 2-4, 8000 Aarhus N, Meeting room M2.3 (1420.228)

We invite PhD papers from different disciplines. If you want to present your work, please upload the title and abstract (around 250 words) of your proposed paper, including your name and affiliation, by April 5, 2024.