The Course of Affectivity: Affect Theories and Affective Practices with and beyond Paul Ricœur
- 4 ore fa
- Tempo di lettura: 3 min
September 24-26 2026
University of Messina, Italy
Keynote Speakers:
Stephanie Arel, Fordham University, New York, USA
Carla Canullo, University of Macerata, Italy
Geoffrey Dierckxsens, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of
Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Call for Papers
The topic of affectivity is constantly addressed by Paul Ricœur in his works, from his early
phenomenological studies of the will and human fallibility to his mature analyses of memory, justice, and recognition, through several levels of development and complexity. Interlaced with the major themes running across his work, Ricœur approaches affectivity as dealing with a variety of dialectical concepts, e.g., volition and fallibility, distanciation and appropriation, action and passivity, identity and difference, understanding and explanation, critique and conviction, etc.. Moreover, he develops interdisciplinary perspectives on affectivity by engaging in dialogue with disciplines such as psychology, psychoanalysis, pedagogy, cognitive theory, and the neurosciences. Specifically, Ricœur’s interest in the issue of affectivity emerges slightly before the “affective turn” or “emotion revolution” in philosophy across the humanities and the social sciences during the 1960s and 1970s. Ricœur’s grasp of affectivity meets in many respects what Melissa Gregg and Gregory Seighworth consider in their co-edited work The Affect Theory Reader (2010) as the distinctive traits of the affective turn: phenomenological and post-phenomenological theories of embodiment, non-Cartesian traditions in philosophy, aspects of psychological and psychoanalytic theory, attempts to react to the linguistic turn, aspects of sciences and neurology. Ricœurian scholars have recently acknowledged Ricœur’s work on affectivity as highly inspiring and they are currently trying to extend it in different fields, e.g., affect theory, religious studies, philosophy of action, psychological theory, hermeneutical ethics and aesthetics, phenomenology, feminism, enactivism, philosophy of arts, performance studies, and musicology. However, much work remains to be done.In thinking affectivity as playing an essential role in shaping our relationships with other human beings in interpersonal and social contexts, with other living beings, with both built and natural environments and landscapes, with technologies, media, and AI systems, the aim of the conference is
to create a challenging and productive space to explore affectivity and affective phenomena with reference to Ricœur’s extensive oeuvre, while also moving beyond his original scope. By providing a forum for interdisciplinary and international dialogue on Ricœur’s conception of affectivity and its involvement in contemporary issues, our goal is to foster dialogue among Ricœurian scholars interested in affect theories and affective practice, and to engage with other non- Ricœurian perspectives.
Scientific Committee
Fabrizia Abbate, University of Molise, Italy
Giovanna Costanzo, University of Messina, Italy
Paolo Furia, University of Turin, Italy
Cristina Vendra, University E. Purkyně Ústí nad Labem (UJEP), Czech Republic
Organizing Committee
Elisa D’Ascola, University of Messina, Italy
Pierpaolo Galota, University of Messina, Italy
Antonino Giannetto, University of Messina, Italy
Maria Teresa Pacilè, University of Messina, Italy
Abstract Submission:
The abstracts (400-500 words) can be submitted in either English or French and sent
to ricoeurmessina2026@gmail.com. Abstracts must contain the following data:
paper’s title, author’s name and surname, institutional affiliation, and email address.
Submissions from early career scholars and from members of underrepresented groups
are welcome and encouraged. Papers should not be longer than 20 minutes when read
aloud. Additionally, presentations are followed by a Q&A session (10 minutes).
Deadline:
The closing date for abstract submission is 30.05.2026. Notification of acceptance
will be given via e-mail by 15.06.2026.
Locandina per il programma completo e dettagliato:
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