Summer School | 3 - 8 July 2026
Join us for an engaging five-day summer school at the University of Antwerp, where you will delve into the significant themes of mortality, desire, and decay within Japanese ethics and aesthetics. This intensive programme combines philosophical inquiry with insights from literature and contemporary art, enabling participants to explore how these concepts impact ethical thought and aesthetic expression in both Japanese and Western cultures.
Key themes include an introduction to impermanence and decay in Japanese thought, intersections with process philosophy, and the cultural implications of kawaii (cuteness) alongside the exploration of Shinto perspectives and contemporary artistic representations. Guest lecturers will share their expertise, enhancing discussions through interdisciplinary case studies and interactive seminars. By the end of the course, you will gain an understanding of how Japanese philosophical traditions address the complexities of life, death, and the human experience.
