21/05/2018
(English version follows the Afrikaans version)
Die Departement Filosofie nooi u uit na ’n gaslesing getiteld Middeleeuse medisyne vir moderne kwale op Vrydag 25 Mwi om 11.00. Die lesing (abstrak hieronder) word aangebied deur dr Johann Beukes (verkorte CV hieronder) in die seminaarkamer van die Filosofiedepartement (FGG B 18). Die lesing word aangebied in Afrikaans met simultane tolking na Engels. Navrae: Prof. Johann Rossouw ([email protected])
ABSTRAK:
In die verduideliking van die modern-kritiese dryfkrag agter sy uitgebreide navorsing in die Middeleeuse filosofie, betoog Beukes dat die postmoderne kennisleer in sy 21ste-eeuse gewaad uitgeput is, met min te bied na Baudrillard. In tematiese samehang met die kritieke van Frederic Jameson, Christopher Norris en Jürgen Habermas, beeld Beukes die 21ste-eeuse postmodernisme (in sy woorde, “die post-Lyotard trajek”) uit as krities uitgeput; en betoog hy dat die filosofie se geskiedkundig kenmerkende ywer vir waarheid en ontleding opgelos is ten gunste van ’n beskimping van sommige van die diepsinnigste idees van die Westerse beskawing, soos waarheid, skoonheid en geregtigheid. Die logiese gevolge van hierdie dolle kennisleer word beskryf as maatskaplik vernietigend, veral in die konteks van stelselmatige terreur, wat beskryf word as die oorheersende maatskaplike merker van die eerste twee dekades van die 21ste eeu. Beukes poog om in reaksie op sowel terreur as “kennislerige dolheid” filosofiese ywer en ’n geesdrif vir die waarheid te rehabiliteer deur aan te sluit by die geskiedkundige persona van die Middeleeuse monachus deur met verwysing na Vico se verstaan van sensus communis aan te voer dat ons tyd ’n meer geleerde, terugleiende en meditatiewe benadering tot die filosofie vereis. Ons verskriklike tyd vra inderdaad ’n nuwe ywer en soberheid van filosowe.
VERKORTE CV:
Dr Johann Beukes verwerf die grade D. Litt. et Phil. (Filosofie) aan die Universiteit van Johannesburg (Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit) in 1995 en Ph.D. (Teologie) aan die Universiteit van Pretoria in 2000. Hy is ’n gemeentepredikant van die Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika sedert 1992 en tans predikant van Gemeente Weltevreden in Johannesburg. Hy was vanaf 2004 tot 2013 ’n dosent en navorsingsgenoot van die Departement Filosofie aan die Universiteit van Johannesburg, met spesialisasie in Middeleeuse Filosofie, Hermeneutiek en Kultuurkritiek. Hy het verskeie navorsingartikels, hoofstukke en opstelle in vakwetenskaplike tydskrifte en akademiese boeke gepubliseer. Sy huidige navorsingsprojek behels die skryf 'n omvangryke boek waarin 143 Middeleeuse filosowe bespreek word.
ENGLISH INVITATION:
The Department of Philosophy invites you to a guest lecture titled Medieval medicine for modern ailments on Friday 25 May at 11.00. The lecture (abstract below) will be presented by Dr Johann Beukes (abridged CV below) in the seminar room of the Department of Philosophy (FGG B 18). The lecture will be presented in Afrikaans with simultaneous translation into English. Enquiries: Prof. Johann Rossouw ([email protected])
ABSTRACT:
Explaining the modern-critical impetus behind his extensive research in medieval philosophy, Beukes argues that postmodern epistemology, in its 21st century guise, is exhausted, with little to offer post-Baudrillard. In thematic conjunction with the critiques of Fredric Jameson, Christopher Norris and Jürgen Habermas, Beukes depicts 21st century postmodernism (to his understanding, 'the post-Lyotard trajectory') as critically exhausted, and argues that philosophy’s historical and characteristic ardour for truth and analysis has been dissolved in favour of a mockery of some of the most profound ideas of Western civilization, such as truth, beauty and justice. The logical consequences of this frenzied epistemology are described as socially devastating, especially within the context of systematic terror, which is described as the predominant social marker of the first two decades of the 21st century. Beukes, in reaction both to terror and 'epistemological frenzy', attempts to rehabilitate philosophical ardour and a zeal for truth by linking up with the historical persona of the medieval monachus, arguing with reference to Vico's understanding of sensus communis that our times demand a more studied, retracted and meditative approach to philosophy. Our dreadful times actually demand a new ardour and sobriety from philosophers.
ABRIDGED CV:
Dr Johann Beukes obtained the degrees D. Litt. et Phil. (Philosophy) from the then Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit (now the University of Johannesburg) in 1995 and a Ph.D. (Theology) from the University of Pretoria in 2000. Since 1992 he works as congregation minister of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk of Africa, currently serving in its Weltevreden congregation in Johannesburg. From 2004 to 2013 he was lecturer and research fellow of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Johannesburg, with spesialication in medieval philosophy, hermeneutics and cultural critique. He has published numerous research articles, chapters and essays in academic journals and books. His current research project involves the writing of a comprehensive book in which 143 medieval philosophers are discussed.
