In what way is the human being unique? Singularity as a convergence point of philosophy, theology, and the sciences
This project deals with some problematic aspect of the thesis of the irreducibility of the person, in an interdisciplinary dialogue between philosophy, theology and the sciences. Its starting point is the verification of two problematic aspects of this thesis: first, the lack of a common ground for an interdisciplinary dialogue and, therefore, the need for an open notion, that allows an exchange and intersection of ideas regarding irreducibility; second, the need to tackle the philosophical implications of the epistemic acknowledgement underlying the thesis of irreducibility. The central argument of the project holds that those two problematic aspects converge in a systematic manner in the notion of singularity. Thus, the research puts forward this notion both as a point of convergence of meanings, experiences and theoretical accesses connected to irreducibility, i.e. as an operative notion for an interdisciplinary dialogue, as well as of several metaphysical and epistemological problems connected to the subject of ineffability of individuals and the unique and unrepeatable character of singulars. The general question that stems from this argument is: In which sense is the person irreducible in the cosmos, i.e. unique and unrepeatable? The project will produce a number of articles in scientific journals, workshops with international guests, public conferences and an essay contest for high-school students..
Grant: US$12,529
Dates: March 2016 – January 2017