World Philosophy Day

Philosophy is the study of the nature of reality and existence, of what is possible to know, and of right and wrong behaviour. It is derived from the Greek word ‘phílosophía’, meaning ‘the love of wisdom.’ It is one of the most important fields of human thought as it aspires to get at the very meaning of life.

World Philosophy Day was introduced in 2002 by UNESCO (the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) with the following objectives:

• to renew the national, sub-regional, regional and international commitment to philosophy;
• to foster philosophical analysis, research and studies on major contemporary issues, so as to respond more effectively to the challenges that are confronting humanity today;
• to raise public awareness of the importance of philosophy and its critical use in the choices arising for many societies from the effects of globalization or entry into modernity;
• to appraise the state of philosophy teaching throughout the world, with special emphasis on unequal access;
• to underline the importance of the universalization of philosophy teaching for future generations.

Read more about other International days

In 2005, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed PDF document that World Philosophy Day would be celebrated every third Thursday of November.

2019 Observance of the World Philosophy Day

The 2019 edition aims to highlight the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts. The goal is to obtain regional contributions to global debates on contemporary challenges that support social transformations. The purpose of this approach is to foster regional dynamics, stimulating global collaboration to address major challenges such as migration, radicalization, environmental change, or artificial intelligence.

By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual. In 2018, World Philosophy Day observed on 15 November.

This year’s World Philosophy Day will be celebrated on 15 November 2018, with special events taking place from 14 to 17 November at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Organized by UNESCO’s Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme, World Philosophy Day is a collaborative initiative towards building inclusive societies, tolerance and peace.

This year’s programme falls in line with the 70th anniversary for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 15 November 2018. In this context, events for World Philosophy Day will highlight the need for new philosophy practices in today’s world, encourage dialogue on the connections with human rights and explore new ways to increase the accessibility of philosophical teaching and learning.

Key events throughout the 3-day celebration include:

• Conference on New Philosophical Practices, PhiloJeunes (14-15 November)
• Café philosophique (15 November)
• Presentation of the Women Philosophers’ Journal (15 November)
• Special event to present the outcome of the digitization of the sound archives of the Collège international de philosophie (15 November)
• Philosophy and human rights (16 November)
• A Night of Philosophy (16-17 November)

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In establishing World Philosophy Day in 2005, UNESCO’s General Conference highlighted the importance of this discipline, especially for young people, underlining that “philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of the world and promoting tolerance and peace”.

By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual.

Sources:

UNESCO

UN

Featured Image Source: UNESCO

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jeremiah

Jeremiah is a scholar and a poet. He has a keen eye for studying the world and is passionate about people. He tweets at @jeremiahaluwong.

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