Identity, Difference, and Contradiction: Iberian Perspectives on Hegel

20-21 April 2026

School of Arts and Humanities

University of Lisbon

 

Identity, difference, and contradiction are themes explicitly developed by Hegel in the Doctrine of Essence, yet they prove essential for a deeper understanding of his philosophical system as a whole. Across the Science of Logic, the Philosophy of Nature, and the Philosophy of Spirit, these categories illuminate the dynamic and dialectical articulation of thought, science, life, and anthropological, political, and philosophical structures. They operate not only within the system as such, but also within Hegel’s thought taken as a whole—for instance, in the path that leads to Absolute Knowing in the Phenomenology of Spirit.

This conference aims to investigate the complexity of these elements of Hegel’s thought, which in many respects constitute its very core and continue to play a central role in contemporary debates on Hegel. By bringing together different perspectives and interpretative approaches, the conference seeks to foster dialogue on how identity, difference, and contradiction can illuminate both the internal coherence of Hegel’s philosophy and its enduring relevance.

By foregrounding Iberian perspectives, the conference also seeks to strengthen intellectual exchange and build enduring bridges between Spanish and Portuguese scholarship in Hegel studies.

 

Invited speakers: Bernardo Ferro (Universidade de Coimbra), Berta Pérez (Universitat de València), Diogo Ferrer (Universidade de Coimbra), Edgar Maraguat (Universitat de València), Edmundo Balsemão-Pires (Universidade de Coimbra), Giovanni Zanotti (Universidade de Coimbra/University of Bologna), Inigo Baca (Universitat de València), Mariana Teixeira (Universidade de Lisboa), Rafael Aragüés (Comillas Pontifical University, Madrid), Silvia Locatelli (Universidade de Lisboa), Tatiana Llaguno (Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona).

 

Preliminary program:

The event will take place in Room B112.D (School of Arts and Humanities, Library Building)

Monday, 20 April 2026	Tuesday, 21 April 2026
10.00-10.15 – Welcome address  Silvia Locatelli, Mariana Teixeira 10.15-11.00 – Bernardo Ferro 15 min. break 11.15-12.00 – Berta Pérez 15 min. break 12.15-13.00 – Edmundo Balsemão-Pires	11.15-12.00 – Silvia Locatelli 15 min. break 12.15-13.00 – Edgar Maraguat
Lunch: 13.00 – 14.30	Lunch: 13.00 – 14.30
14.30-15.15 – Tatiana Llaguno 15 min. break 15.30-16.15 – Giovanni Zanotti 15 min. break 16.30-17.15 – Inigo Baca	14.30-15.15 – Mariana Teixeira 15 min. break 15.30-16.15 – Rafael Aragüés 15 min. break 16.30-17.15 – Diogo Ferrer
19:30 – Conference dinner	17.15-17.30 – Closing words Silvia Locatelli, Mariana Teixeira

Organization: Silvia Locatelli and Mariana Teixeira (Praxis-CFUL)

 

This event is funded by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the project UID/00310/2025, Centro de Filosofia da Universidade de Lisboa.