1 | CIVILIZATION AND VIOLENCE

Violence and civilization often coexist in tension. Standing among the ruins of the Roman Colosseum, faced with the strange fusion of civilization and barbarism, you may feel relieved that those times are past, and it seems that civilization has tamed barbarity. However, regrettably, although we have long since left ancient Rome, the Colosseum has not entirely disappeared. A series of brutal or violent phenomena continues to unfold before our eyes. The tension between civilization and violence remains a challenge of our time. The aim of this conference is to understand and interpret this tension from an interdisciplinary approach and, specifically, from the perspective of global ethics. It seeks to legislate for civilization and delineate boundaries for violence.

Today’s violence is complex and multifaceted, extending beyond traditional, direct physical violence to include structural and symbolic forms, all of which have multiple levels of impact on human society. From geopolitical conflicts and wars (such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) to terrorism and extreme violence, structural and systemic violence (like entrenched social inequality and injustice, and gender violence), environmental violence and climate-related conflicts (involving resources like water, land, and energy), cyber violence and digital harassment, state violence and authoritarian repression, and symbolic and cultural violence (such as cultural practices or social norms that normalize discrimination and reinforce power imbalances), the list goes on.

Against this backdrop, this conference aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on the complex relationship between civilization and violence, drawing together diverse perspectives for a comprehensive understanding of the ethical challenges posed by violence in its various forms. The conference will provide a significant platform for scholars and theorists worldwide to critically analyze and discuss narratives about civilization and violence in contemporary global society. Discussions will delve into the root causes of violence, exploring the roles of power dynamics, economic inequality, political instability, and cultural bias. We believe that dialogue between different cultural and intellectual traditions can help address ethical challenges related to violence and civilization.

 

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Ethical dimensions of violence within and between civilizations
• Historical and philosophical perspectives on civilization and conflict
• The role of culture, religion, and ideology in fostering peace or inciting violence
• The role of global ethics in addressing systemic violence and injustice
• Civilizational dialogue as a means to promote global understanding and cooperation
• The impact of technology and media on the representation and perpetuation of violence
• Power dynamics, inequality, and their relationship with systemic violence
• Cross-cultural communication as a tool to mitigate conflict

Call for Papers:
Researchers are invited to submit abstracts related to the conference theme. Abstracts should not exceed 600 words, with the submission before Mar.10,2025. Selected papers will have the opportunity to be presented during the conference and considered for inclusion in the conference proceedings.

Contact:
globalethics@fudan.edu.cn. yalingluo@fudan.edu.cn

We look forward to your participation, and we hope that through productive dialogue, we can establish an ethical foundation for actions that promote peace, justice, and the prosperity of all civilizations.