Globalisation - A Clash Of Civilisations Or...

New Delhi, Dec 12 (UNI) Are nations doomed to a clash of civilisations and philosophies as they engage in globalisation ? That will be one of the focal points as 850 philosophers from India and around the world meet at Delhi University from December 15-18 to discuss Philosophy in the Emerging Age of Global Society.

It is the first ever meet in India of the International Federation of Societies of Philosophy which has been around for about a hundred years, spokesmen Dr Karan Singh and Prof Bhuvan Chandel told journalists last evening.

The event, an interim World Philosophy Congress, precedes the quientennial Congress scheduled in Seoul, South Korea in August 2008. The last WPC was held at Istanbul, Turkey in August 2003.

The Federation has by and large been a Euro-centric grouping, in which Indian philosophers found enrolling hard on their pockets.

The first Indian to be its Member, in the 1950s, was Dr R C Pandey.

In replies to questions, Dr Singh, who is chairman of the event, and Prof Chandel, vice president of the Federation and chairman of the event organising committee, cited such factors as India's colonial status in the past which had a marginalising effect.

But they stressed that the Federation members were aware of India's philosophical heritage. ''They have respect for India,'' Dr Singh said.

The conference is being organised in collaboration with the Indian Philosophical Congress, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, the Centre for Studies in Civilisations and Akhil Bharatiya Darshan Parishad.

The meet will synchronise with the 81st session of the IPC scheduled concurrently at the same venue.

Experts have different views on whether globalisation is likely to produce harmony or clash or a mix of both.

Philosphers at the meet are expected to investigate issues and offer an understanding in such sessions as 'Future of Civilisation in the Post-Modern World' and 'Global Society for Peace and Progress: Problems and Prospects.' Aspects of another crucial issue-- Law and Justice-- are expected to be taken up in such roundtables as 'Gender Justice through Women's Empowerment'.

The meet is expected to draw 700 philosophers from various parts of India and 150 from around the world.

Delegates are expected from Austria, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Koreas, Vietnam, Turkey, Ukraine, Britain and the United States.

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