28 April till 1 May 2025: 30 philosophers will join intensive discourses and describe the opposite of evil without referencing to evil.

Nasuprot zlu

Iako se ponekad čini da je zlo sveprisutno, da su mu korijeni metafizički, činjenica je da ono nije ontološko: zlo ne postoji u međuzvjezdanom prostoru kozmosa, niti u kvantnim silama mikrokozmosa.

Pa ipak, opreke zlu, koje opisujemo mnogim duboko dojmljivim nazivima, nisu u stanju pružiti odgovarajuću protutežu gotovo opipljivoj sili koju ispoljava riječ zlo. Zlo je, zajedno s njegovim oprekama, prisutno samo u svijetu čovjeka i samo ih čovjek pridaje svijetu koji ga okružuje.

Od početaka filozofije, kao i religije, problem zla, kao i odgovor, suprotstavljanje zlu, pronalaženje vrijednosti koje su mu opreka, postoje kao jedan od najvažnijih pitanja za ljudski život.

Treći Farski filozofski simpozij bit će posvećen raspravi o opreci zlu. Povijesne i suvremene odgovore na problem zla tražimo u otvorenoj i tolerantnoj raspravi, ne zaboravljajući da ga ljudi prepoznaju u mnogim manifestacijama ljudskog postojanja, ali stavljajući u raspravi naglasak na vrednote i putokaze kojima čovjek daje snažne i motivirajuće odgovore na zlo - o ljudskom stavu protiv zla.

Kao moto našeg trećeg simpozija uzimamo Hektorovićev kameni natpis iznad zahoda u njegovom dvorcu Tvrdalj:

SI TE NOSTI CUR SUPERBIS

Ako se poznaješ čemu se oholiš.

The opposite of evil

Although sometimes it seems that evil is omnipresent, that its roots are metaphysical, the fact is that it is not ontological: evil does not exist in the interstellar space of the cosmos, nor in the quantum forces of the microcosm.

Evil's opposition, which we capture with many deeply impactful names, is incapable of providing adequate counterbalance to the almost palpable force that the word evil exerts. Evil, together with its opposition, is present only in the world of man, and only man gives them to the world that surrounds him.

From the beginnings of philosophy, as well as religion, the problem of evil, as well as the answer, the opposition to evil, finding values ​​that stand against it, exist as one of the most important problems for human life.

The third Pharos Philosophy Symposium will be devoted to the discussion of resistance to evil. We seek historical and contemporary answers to the problem of evil to be presented in an open and tolerant discussion, not forgetting that people recognize it in many manifestations of human existence, but placing emphasis on the values ​​and guideposts to which man gives a strong and motivating response to evil - on the human attitude against evil.

As the motto of our third symposium, we take Hektorović's stone inscription above the toilet in his Tvrdalj Castle:

SI TE NOSTI CUR SUPERBIS

Know what you are and then how can you be proud?

The Responses:

"Without Using Evil as A Reference?"

"Impossible!",

"A kind of New Age!"

"Impossible, or is it some kind of pozzitivvizzm?

"I had all kinds of reactions on the theme. Not so much on the theme, but on the contradiction in the title 'Describe the Opposite of Evil without using Evil as a reference', it is like describing white without using colours as a reference. But is it impossible to describe Evil's Opponent without using Evil as a reference? I asked around, after solving it for myself; how would others do it? Five people managed. Some immediately, some after a transforming process in their thinking about. 
Here is your next challenge!"
Stan Coenders, July 2024, Stari Grad, Croatia.

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The Pharos Philosophy Symposium in Stari Grad (Otok Hvar Croatia) is conceived as an open gathering place, where philosophers, philosophy students and fellow travelers share their ideas in the tradition of the Greek Socratic symposium. The single guiding principle of the symposium is to freely reflect and critically engage with differing ideas.

Scholars and students across various fields are welcome to send their vision, to apply for participation in the 2025 symposium. This four-day event is designed as an inclusive dialogue, spanning from the most ancient history to the most contemporary of philosophy, science and art, aiming to explore potential solutions to the pressing challenges faced by humanity and society today.

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As in previous editions the 5 discourses (allowing a small audience) will be accompanied by side events which are open to the public: expect concerts, exhibitions, workshops. Read more >

Ideas for side events are welcomed! 

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Pharos Philosophy Days 2025 (initiative Aldo Cavić and Stan Coenders), organized in cooperation with Stari Grad Museum and Stari Grad Library, enjoys growing interest in support: The 2025 edition welcomes the support from Stari Grad Town and Tourist Board, Agencija Starogradsko Polje, Sanje Publishers Ljubljana, Croatian Philosophical Society www.hrfd.hr, Read more >