By Joswin Praveen D’Souza
Mangaluru, Oct 22, 2024: More than 100 philosophers have spent three days in the southern Indian city of Mangalore to study the relevance of hope amid modern challenges.
“Hope is born at the intersection of dissent and discomfort with the material conditions of our existence,” said Parinitha one name), head of the department of English, Mangalore University, in her keynote address at the 47th annual research conference of the Association of Christian Philosophers of India (ACPI).
She argued that hope arises from recognizing the potential for change in these conditions and the historical possibilities that allow for such transformation.
The October 19-21 conference on “Hope: Philosophizing from Multi Horizons” was jointly organized by ACPI and the Mangalore University’s Chair in Christianity
Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor P L Dharma inaugurated the conference at Mangaluru’s St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu, and Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore, chaired the program.
On the occasion, the edition of ACPI annual series, “Engulfing Presence of Artificial Intelligence: Challenges and Opportunities” was released.
Bishop Saldanha, who handed the first copy to Dharma, highlighted the importance of hope as a central theme in human existence. Drawing from Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, he addressed the philosophical challenges of despair, suicide, and moral degradation, asserting that hope is the key to survival and resilience.
The event began with a Bharatanatyam dance and the recitation of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Also present were Fathers Ronald Serrao, rector of St Joseph’s Seminary, and John Peter Vallabhadoss, ACPI president.