The Logo Of Fondazione Mediterraneo

Sharing values
Combating inequality
Constructing peace

Il nostro portalevideo
 Inglese Francese Italiano 
*

Home page

*
*
*

Who we are

*
*
*

The Network

*
**
*

The Branches

*
*
*

Activities

*
**
*

La Maison de la Méditerranée

*
*
*
Initiatives
*
Learning Arabic
Projects supported
   by EU
Euro-Mediterranean
   Conferences
Euromed Civil
   Forums
Euromed Youth
   Workshop
Eromediterranean
   Women Network
Training and
   Research
Mediterranean Award
Euro-Med Award
Euro-Maghrebi
   Youth Convoy
Chaire Averroes
Reseau de Chaires
Appeals for the
   Mediterranean

Meiad

   Mediterranean, Europe
   and Islam: Actors in
   Dialogue

Community Service
Cinema, Concerts
   and Exhibitions
Euromedcafe.org
* *

APPEAL FOR PHILOSOPHY


Although it is widely recognized that it is impossibile to postpone a rational comparison of World cultural experiences, the encounter among different civilizations has been and is currently marked by a general flattening of customs and expressions, or the loss of historical memory: each civilization seems to exchange with the others the worst aspects and faults instead of their virtues.
In that huge melting pot of civilizations represented by the classic world, a vital and perpetual nourishment rose: the philosophical reflection, a knowledge that has marked our history and to which we are debtors for the distinguishing features of our society.
Nevertheless the attitude of the contemporary society towards philosophy seems not appropriate to the problems of our present. In the schools of many Countries, the teaching of philosophy and history of the scientific thought is getting more and more ignored and limited: millions of young students ignore even the very meaning of the term philosophy. We are educating technical and pratical talents and atrophying the genius of the philosophical invention. Therefore it follows that the number of those who understand - or are effectively able to understand - the ties connecting the factors that constitute the historical truth, is decreasing. On the contrary, nowadays and more than ever the World needs new creative forces. In order to stimulate creativity we need to nourish the critical ability that means people familiar with philosophy.
For this reason. we call upon all World Parliaments and Governments to confirm and strengthen, or introduce, in every school, the study of philosophy in its historical course and connection with science - beginning from the Greek and Oriental thought - considering it as an essential premise to an actual encounter among peoples and cultures to define new categories that get over the present contradictions and shine humanity on the way to Good. In this amazing and upsetting moment of our history, when the word "humanity" begins to mean "all men", it is necessary to retrieve a civil orientation. Philosophy is necessary.
The Fondazione Laboratorio Mediterraneo supports the Appeal for Philosofy called by the Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici.

Naples, December 12th , 1994

***
***
***
* *