Riyadh Philosophy Conference 2025: Dialogue between East and West and Children's Literature
In a move reflecting the growing cultural dynamism in Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh International Philosophy Conference 2025 , organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, featured in-depth intellectual discussions under the theme "Philosophy Between East and West: Concepts, Origins, and Mutual Influences." This event aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance Riyadh's position as a global cultural beacon and a bridge for intercultural dialogue.
Philosophical Interactions: Beyond Western Centrality
The conference opened with a serious attempt to deconstruct traditional narratives about the history of thought, in a session titled "Philosophical Interactions Between East and West in Modern Times." The session featured a distinguished group of academics, including Dr. Waleed Al-Zamil, Dr. Yasser Al-Ghamdi, and Dr. Amani Al-Zuaibi, and was moderated by Professor Tarif Al-Sulaiti. The discussions focused on the fact that philosophy has never been confined to a specific geography, but rather is the cumulative product of translation, trade, and artistic exchange throughout the ages.
Dr. Waleed Al-Zamil addressed the concept of "global cities" and the impact of urbanization on the social fabric. He pointed out that major cities, despite their immense capacity to attract investments and transnational elites, can produce what is known as the "dual city," where the gap widens between those integrated into the global economy and those left on its margins. This argument is particularly relevant given the urban development boom the region is witnessing, necessitating the adoption of urban policies that balance global openness with the preservation of local identity and social justice.
Geophilosophy and participatory Orientalism
On another philosophical level, the session addressed the concept of "geophilosophy" as proposed by philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari. This concept reconnects philosophy to land and place, emphasizing that the ancient Greek environment was not isolated but rather an open space for commercial and cultural interactions with the East and South, which contributed to the emergence of philosophical thought. This approach deconstructs Eurocentrism and opens the door to a pluralistic view of the history of ideas.
The German poet Goethe's timeless work, "West-Eastern Divan," was also invoked as a model of "participatory Orientalism." In contrast to the hegemonic Orientalist perspective criticized by Edward Said, Goethe presented a model based on fascination and respect for Eastern culture, drawing inspiration from Persian poetry and Quranic texts, thus affirming the possibility of a civilizational dialogue built on equality and mutual respect.
Children's literature: From indoctrination to critical thinking
In the second session, the discussion shifted to a highly important educational and philosophical area, where Professor Dalia Tounsi presented a paper on "Children's Literature, Philosophy, and Pedagogy." She highlighted comics as a medium that transcends mere entertainment, becoming a space for raising existential and ethical questions.
The session emphasized the importance of the "Philosophy for Children" (P4C) approach, founded by philosopher Matthew Lipman, which advocates transforming classrooms into communities of inquiry. Tunisi explained that the challenge does not lie in the child's ability to understand—children are philosophers by nature, asking questions about death, justice, and fear—but rather in the anxiety adults feel about these open-ended questions that lack ready-made answers.
The sessions concluded by emphasizing that true children's literature respects a child's intellect and encourages critical thinking, rather than simply preaching. This approach is essential for building generations capable of analysis and deduction, aligning with modern educational trends worldwide.
