HPhil Seminar: May 19, 2022

The HPhil (History of Philosophy) Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon announces the 2021/22 edition of its permanent seminar on the history of philosophy, devoted to the reading and discussion of seminal philosophical works, as well as to the presentation of conferences by renowned specialists, aiming to promote the permanent training of the academic community.

In this session, Manuel Duarte de Oliveira will give a lecture entitled “On the Challenges of Israel’s Concept of Chosenness” (abstract bellow). The text is available for those interested (click here).

The session will take place on May 19, 2022, at 5PM, in the Room C201.J (Room Mattos Romão, Department of Philosophy). The entrance is free.

 

Abstract

On the Challenges of Israel’s Concept of Chosenness focuses on the theological, philosophical and political ambiguities imbedded in the multiple challenges associated with the concept of Israel’s divine election, especially as reflected in the thought of Modern Jewish thinkers such as Martin Buber and Yeshayahu Leibowitz. Particular attention is given to the practical application of Israel’s chosenness to Jewish nationalism, Zionism, and political Messianism. Some of these ambiguities became especially pronounced with the emergence of Zionism.  Wary, indeed, alarmed by the tendency of some of his fellow Zionists to conflate divine chosenness with nationalism, Buber sought to secure the theological significance of Israel’s election by both steering Zionism from hypertrophic nationalism and by a sustained program to revalorize what he called alternately “Hebrew Humanism.” In doing so, Buber viewed the idea of election teleologically, espousing a universal mission of Israel, which effectively calls upon Zionism to align its political and cultural project to universal objectives.