Civilizational Paradigm of Human Evolution
Despite the general confidence that there is an understanding of what a civilization is, such unambiguity is nonexistent. This notion can be disclosed through sociocultural types, is interpreted as the staging of human development, or as geographically localized human communities.
In the meantime, there are different contexts for the practical objectives and goals that scientists and government leaders face, where such an understanding should be profound and clear. The temporal (stadial) and spacial aspects of the genesis of civilization are intertwined in a complex way making the picture even more blurred.
Various civilizations can objectively dominate, thus posing threat of universalization escalating to the racist theories of the past or aggressive forms of the present-day globalization. However, civilizations can also be a depository of optimal development practices for the whole regions.
A civilization is obviously a form of human community which played and still plays a subjective role in history. However, major changes come with human evolution. Once, civilizations were born, later, there was a time for their confrontation and the futurology of civilizational wars. What lies ahead of civilizations? Will the principle of separation ever turn into its opposite – a uniform human civilization? What will it be like and what are its values, do they exist? Where does the dialogue of civilizations lead? A wide range of issues, from fundamental theoretical up to vital practical, will be addressed at the roundtable meeting.
Main Vectors of Discussion:
October, 10 (Sunday), (Hall “Patmos”-“Kos”)
08.30-09.00 Registration of participants
Round table opening
Moderator: Stepan Sulakshin (Russia), General Director, Governance and Problem Analysis Center
09.00-09.15 Opening speech: Stepan Sulakshin
09.15–11.00
Speakers: 15-20 min per presentation
Kara-Murza Sergey(Russia), Chief Research Officer, Institute of social and political research of RAS
Civilization and globalization
Dallmayr Fred (USA), Professor, University of Notre Dame
Dialogue and Global Politics: For a Lateral Cosmopolitanism
Bagdasaryan Vardan (Russia), Project director, Center of problem analysis and state-government projecting, Professor
Religious dimension of civilizations’ value portraits
Father Boulos Wehbe (Lebanon), Professor, Religion and Cultural and Social Studies, Notre Dame University, Archpriest, Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut, Senior Lecturer, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department Faculty of Humanities
The Interconnection of Faith and Knowledge in Shaping Communal Life from a Christian Standpoint. The Case of Beirut
Turchin Peter (USA), Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut
The Evolution of Peace: Is the convergence of civilizations into a world-wide cooperating society feasible?
Questions and discussion: 5 min per presentation
11.00–11.30 Coffee-break