Dr Jaysankar Lal Shaw –
What makes us who we are, the Mind, the Body, the Self, or a certain combination of these?
More than 2500 years ago human beings began wondering about this question.
The discussion unfolding from that question would become a main pillar to many religious, spiritual and philosophical beliefs around the planet.
It is an unavoidable dilemma so entrenched in our understanding of reality that no culture has omitted its investigation.
It has influenced the way we build our society, understand the world, and thrive to become as individuals. This theme is so important to humanity that we have yet to find an agreement.
But I am confident in our abilities; my confidence does not originate from the belief that we will, this weekend, find a concession but rather; participate; in something greater.
Good to disagree
I realise that disagreement is a blessing rather than an obstacle. For, the diversity and richness that has stemmed from this unresolvable dialogue is at the core of what makes us who we are. We are creativity, imagination and a capacity to reason that has led us down the path of many realities. of which, each of these possibilities have their place in the human cultural heritage.
It is the seed of human intellect and the core of humanity.
It is the ability to celebrate diversity through unity.
Dr Jaysankar Lal Shaw is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Victoria and the Society of Philosophy and Culture at the University. The above was an extract of his speech at a four-day Conference held under the theme, ‘Mind, Body & Soul’ at the Kilbirnie Campus from July 23 to 26, 2015. It attracted more than 40 speakers from America, Australia, Belgium, Britain, India, Portugal and Taiwan.
Professor Shaw added the following in his speech
This conference is about giving our life energy to reanimate the thoughts of the past, to overcome border and distances, and participate in the journey of the discovery of who we are as human beings. Creativity, diversity and sameness.
The Society for Philosophy and Culture was established over a decade ago to promote these principles. We count today two other branches, one in Canada, of the same name and one in India called ‘Society for Global Philosophy and Culture.’
This movement has produced more than 20 publications, organised a large number of and dedicated itself to promotion of cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary discussions by uniting them through philosophy.
This is philosophy of openness, celebration, understanding, compassion and curiosity.
Special Guests
Among the special guests were Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, National List MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar, University of California Professor and Editor-in-Chief of ‘Sophia’ Dr Purushottama Bilimoria, San Jose University Director of Comparative Philosophy Professor Anand Vaidya and Waikato University Scholar Dr David Lumsden.
The Conference augured well with the completion of 150 years.
Personality explored
With around 200 people in attendance, presenters explored questions of human personality, emotions, consciousness and personal identity, and the topics ranged from international perspectives of Indian philosophy and yoga to spiritual themes, psychoanalytic theory, Western literature and medical science.
The topics included rituals in Haitian voodoo, implications of Vedic understanding for national security, matters affecting people including ‘choices in life’ and ‘the science of happiness.’
The papers will appear in an edited volume entitled ‘Mind, Body & Self.’
The Society for Philosophy and Culture has been running for more than twelve years and has organised a series of seminars, and has published two edited volumes entitled ‘Human Beings and Freedom: An Interdisciplinary Perspective, and Meaning and Identity: An Interdisciplinary Perspective.’
Photo :
Professor J L Shaw with (from left) Reece Baker, Joe Carlson, Piripi Whaanga, Thomas Prout, Alexander Janet and Professor Purushottama Bilimoria at the Conference.
