Welcome

polylog. Forum for Intercultural Philosophy e.V. is an international association for the advancement of philosophical exchange beyond national and cultural boundaries. We understand intercultural philosophy as the endeavour to give expression to the many and often marginalised voices of philosophy in their respective cultural contexts and thereby to generate a shared, fruitful discussion granting equal rights to all, particularly including Asian, African, and Latin American perspectives. Meeting the intercultural challenge in philosophy and society, our initiative aims to facilitate and develop a new and timely culture of a plurality of philosophical dialogues between thinkers from around the world – a philosophical polylogue.

Objectives

The aim of the association is the promotion of theory and practice of an interculturally oriented philosophy; it aims also to increase the intercultural dialogue in sciences and society. The organisation appeals to intercultural understanding and tolerance by an philosopy as a way of thinking as well as a way of living.

In intercultural philosophy we see above all a new orientation and new practice of philosophy – of a philosophy that requires an attitude of mutual respect, listening, and learning. It entails a new orientation because, in acknowledgment of the cultural situatedness of philosophy, claims must prove themselves interculturally, and culture and cultures must be consciously kept in view as the context of philosophising. It entails a new practice because this consciousness demands a departure from an individual, mono-cultural, frequently ethnocentric production of philosophy and seeks instead a dialogical, process-oriented, fundamentally open polyphony of cultures and disciplines.

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Model of a polylogue

We seek to realise such practices in an intercultural polylogue among philosophers as well as other interested scholars and members of society. The project pursues this aim by providing a virtual platform for the world-wide discussion of topics in intercultural philosophy. Intercultural philosophy is not thereby intended as a new theory, discipline, or school to be established. Rather, the diversity of intentions and approaches should be met with the greatest possible openness as well as academic seriousness – as much as possible in the appropriate form and manner.

This purpose shall be realised in particular by enabling, interconnecting and documenting philosophical dialogue und exchange in discussion fora, working groups, symposia and further suitable forms, by publishing and making available scientific literature and resources as well as by organising and supporting studies and research projects.