The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has declared that World Philosophy Day should be celebrated on 21 November. The Thammasat University Library owns many books about philosophy.
TU students may know that the word philosophy derives from ancient Greek terms meaning the love of wisdom.
In modern times, philosophy usually refers to questions about life, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.
What do philosophers do? They ask questions, talk about things, discuss and even argue sometimes, and present their findings in an organized way.
Among subjects that were once considered part of philosophy but are now independent fields of study are psychology, sociology, linguistics, and economics.
According to the United Nations (UN) website, World Philosophy Day was introduced by UNESCO with the objective to:
- renew the national, subregional, regional and international commitment to philosophy;
- foster philosophical analysis, research and studies on major contemporary issues, so as to respond more effectively to the challenges that are confronting humanity today;
- 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;
- appraise the state of philosophy teaching throughout the world, with special emphasis on unequal access;
- underline the importance of the universalization of philosophy teaching for future generations.
In 2019, the commemorations will focus on the importance of philosophy in different regional contexts. Regional contributions to global debates will be sought, to achieve social progress in matters such as migration, radicalization, environmental change, and artificial intelligence.
UNESCO promotes a World Philosophy Day to encourage
an international culture of philosophical debate that respects human dignity and diversity. The Day encourages academic exchange and highlights the contribution of philosophical knowledge in addressing global issues… Many thinkers state that “astonishment” is the root of philosophy. Indeed, philosophy stems from humans’ natural tendency to be astonished by themselves and the world in which they live. This field, which sees itself as a form of “wisdom”, teaches us to reflect on reflection itself, to continually question well-established truths, to verify hypotheses and to find conclusions. For centuries, in every culture, philosophy has given birth to concepts, ideas and analyses, and, through this, has set down the basis for critical, independent and creative thought. World Philosophy Day celebrates the importance of philosophical reflection, and encourages people all over the world to share their philosophical heritage with each other. For UNESCO, philosophy provides the conceptual bases of principles and values on which world peace depends: democracy, human rights, justice, and equality. Philosophy helps consolidate these authentic foundations of peaceful coexistence.
In a public declaration from 2008, UNESCO observed:
There can be no UNESCO without philosophy, because its action has always aimed at putting the power of ideas at the service of social transformations. Today more than ever, UNESCO keeps steadfast in that philosophical optimism that truly constitutes its very foundations. How can we today, then, continue to translate this humanistic conviction into action? … All UNESCO’s major programmes are built on philosophical foundations and the search for meaning has to be constant.
—Philosophy at UNESCO? I am not sure I really understand…
—It is strange, you say, that UNESCO deals with philosophy? But who else would remind you that each of your acts, dear friend, is based on a certain vision that guides you?
That is precisely what philosophy is all about: the world changes; and UNESCO fosters, through dialogue, a questioning of our own acts… The popularization of philosophical thought and research among the general public is essential in developing a democratic and peaceful culture. The encounter of each and every one of us with philosophy reinforces the awareness that we all are part of the same humanity, moved by the same desire for peace, and aiming at the same fulfilment of our existence. It is for this reason that every year UNESCO celebrates World Philosophy Day, which brings together men and women, students, professors, and researchers to share their modes of thinking, or discover new forms of reasoning.
Part of this effort is an International Network of Women Philosophers to advance international exchange and the create communities of practice.
There is also an International Association of Women Philosophers not affiliated with the UN. The International Association of Women Philosophers is a professional association and network that provides a forum for discussion, interaction and cooperation among women engaged in teaching and research in all aspects of philosophy, with a particular emphasis on feminist philosophy. It was founded in 1976 in Würzburg, Germany.
In 2009, at the First Assembly of the International Network of Women Philosophers, sponsored by UNESCO,
among the subjects discussed were what it means to be a woman philosopher; when can the theoretical and practical work of women thinkers and activists be called philosophical; how women philosophers deal in theory and practice with obstacles in their professional paths; how women manage their freedom; whether philosophy be used as an instrument by women to consolidate their freedom; the relationship between philosophical dialogue and translation; gender and racism; definitions of excellence in academic work; and how the work of women philosophers is evaluated.
Philosophy in the Kingdom
All TU students of philosophy will be familiar with the Philosophy and Religion Society of Thailand (PARST).
It publishes the Journal of the Philosophy and Religion Society of Thailand, which has the purpose of creating and developing knowledge of philosophy and religion in Thailand, while promoting and developing international academic achievements among academic personnel in philosophy and religion in the Kingdom. The journal is a forum for academic discussion in philosophy and religion and spreading knowledge of philosophy and religion to the public.
In one issue, it printed an article, Just the Facts by Professor Frank J. Hoffman of the International Buddhist Studies College, Mahaculalongkornrajavidyalaya University. In his academic research, Professor Hoffman investigated what people and philosophers mean when they refer to facts:
In English ‘fact’ has meant: 1) “a thing done,” 2) “the making, doing, or performing,” 3) “something that has really occurred or is actually the case; something certainly known to be of this character; hence a particular truth known by actual observation or authentic testimony, as opposed to what is merely inferred…” and 4) “something that is alleged to be or conceivably might be, a ‘fact’.” Of these the first two are classed as archaic by the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)… The sense of ‘fact’ as a thing done has its origin in the Latin ‘factum’ which means “that which is done, a deed, act, exploit, achievement.” This sense survives in only a few phrases, such as ‘after the fact,’ and the Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology suggeststhat this sense is archaic and that ‘after the fact’ is now only a legal usage. On the other hand Webster’s Dictionary (1970) has listed fact as deed without considering it archaic. Thus it seems clear that the problem of what is meant by ‘fact’ will not be solved sheerly by an appeal to ordinary usage, for even the lexicographers are not in agreement as to whether an important sense of ‘fact’ is ordinary or archaic. But even if there were a common usage, it would still be a moot issue as to whether it should be accepted as adequate for a philosophical theory of fact.
(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)