This conference will consider the meaning of the "Face" for political, ethical, literary, artistic, and contemporary debates. In particular: What role does the "Face" have for decisions, impressions, and assessments (judgements) with regard to knowledge (and the law)? We also will consider, how the "Face" challenges the ethical potential of language. The thesis of the primacy of the Other has ramifications for the work of Kant, Hegel, Levinas, Derrida and Rosenzweig, as well as for our understanding of politics, ethics, religion, and culture. Another central aspect of the conference will be the ways in which these thinkers diverge on the issue of the relation between Face, Language,Gaze and Knowledge. We also welcome papers that consider the role of the "Face" (or the missing face) in contemporary political issues, as well as in literary and daily discourse.

Conference program (PDF)

Conference website

May 28-29 @ University of Vienna

Department for Ethics and Law (Campus)
Spitalgasse 2-4, Hof 2.8 / Campus, Altes AKH A-1090 Vienna

concept and coordination:
Brigitta Keintzel (concept and coordination), Sophie Uitz (coordination)

partners:
Institut für Wissenschaft und Kunst (Wien)
FWF Wissenschaftsfonds (project number V-345)