Metaphysics 2012

Fifth World Conference

Topics

Since the year 2000, when this series of events involving a worldwide public began, we have observed an ongoing interest among scholars devoted to the most varied disciplines in confronting—and often reformulating—the most basic questions engaging human thought.

Metaphysics signifies reflection on absolute or ultimate reality in relation to every sphere of existence.

The continued evolution of science and technology and the accelerating process of globalization, far from obliterating interest in metaphysics, seem to have rendered it more necessary, both to foster an appropriate integration of the differing worldviews dwelling together in increasing proximity all over the earth and to supersede certain clashes between paradigms which have become chronic and impede deeper understanding of human beings themselves. Among them, opposition between a residual materialistic ideology with a reductive bent and the "thirst for the infinite" still manifesting iself in all religions and in all values open to the transcendent occupies a central place.

The conception of the Absolute is always a pressing concern—it is the question accompanying human beings throughout their history.

In the light of the experiences and exchanges we have shared with professors and scholars from both the humanities and empirical sciences, we now propose a broadly-based consideration of a metaphysical paradigm valid for all the strata of reality we deal with in our lives.

If humanity expects progress in every field of activity, can we not hope for meaningful advances in resolving the supposed antinomies of the past from the best-qualified thinkers in our time, especially as regards human persons and their inner constitution, freedom, and destiny?

With a view towards finding "solutions," we propose a series of topics for research, along with questions aimed at stimulating reflection in each area.

Metaphysics and Anthropology

Can we formulate an "integral" conception of the human being which will unify the different dimensions of the person while recognizing real distinctions in regard to biology, psychology, and the domain of the spirit?

By providing solid grounding, can we reconcile the existence of free will with the physical, moral, and social factors conditioning behavior?

How can we best resolve the ambiguities associated with the definition of personhood?