Season 1: Eric Nelson’s *Heidegger and Dao: Things, Nothingness, Freedom’ (Bloomsbury, 2024)
In connection to a three-day research seminar on eco-education and eco-existential health (or “sustainability of being”), viewed through the lens of research in Environmental Humanities, Environmental Ethics, and Health Humanities, CUHRE Center for Eco-literacy at SDU and the research group Time, Existence, and Connectedness with Nature (TEN) at AAU collaborated to invite the world-renowned eco-phenomenologist, Professor of Philosophy Eric S. Nelson from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to deliver the keynote speech for the three-day event, alongside other participating researchers.
Nelson’s work emphasizes a being-oriented approach to environmental philosophy, eco-phenomenology, and environmental ethics in general. He particularly draws upon Heidegger’s late views on being and nature, as well as Neo-Daoist interpretations of nature, and explores how one can foster a practice of “nourishing life” through such a being-oriented eco-thinking. In his later philosophy, Heidegger was inspired by Daoism, and Nelson also sheds light upon how the dialogical philosopher Martin Buber was deeply influenced by Daoism, illustrating the distinct perspectives Heidegger and Buber held on Nature/Physis/Dao/Being.
Of particular interest to TEN and CUHRE are his books ‘Daoism and Environmental Philosophy: Nourishing Life’ (Routledge, 2021) and ‘Heidegger and Dao: Things, Nothingness, Freedom. (Bloomsbury, 2024).
The research seminar scheduled for September 2024 was canceled due to Nelson’s illness. He is expected to visit again, likely in the spring of 2025, though the exact timing is still uncertain.
Meanwhile, we will be preparing thoroughly, hence this reading group.
Format
We will meet approximately once or twice per month for an hour online, during which we’ll discuss one chapter from ‘Heidegger and Dao’.
Participants are expected to have read the chapter thoroughly beforehand. This is a requirement.
At each meeting, one group member will provide an academic overview and highlight key points from the chapter (max 15 minutes).
This will be followed by an open discussion about the chapter.
Dates:
- December 6, 16:00-17:00
- January 15, same time
- February 6, same time
- March 4, same time
- March 26, same time
- April 24, same time
For the first meeting in December, all group members should have read the introduction and Chapter 1 of ‘Heidegger and Dao: Things, Nothingness, Freedom’. Michael will begin with a presentation that ties in concepts from Nelson’s other book mentioned above.
Sign up: if you wish to join the reading circle, please write and email to CUHRE centre coordinator, Dikte Reeh Andersen at diktand@sam.sdu.dk and you will receive a link to the online zoom meetings. Please sign up before December 12 at 12.00.
Organizers of this Reading Group:
TEN: Contact Professor Finn Thorbjørn Hansen: finnth@ikp.aau.dk, see also: https://vbn.aau.dk/da/organisations/tid-eksistens-og-naturforbundethed
CUHRE Center for Understanding Human Relationships with the Environment: Contact center director and Associate Professor Michael Paulsen: mpaulsen@sdu.dk, see also: https://www.sdu.dk/da/forskning/cuhre