RIYADH: A panel discussion titled “The Future of Beauty,” presented by John Armstrong at the fifth Riyadh International Philosophy Conference, highlighted the deep connection between beauty and wisdom and the role of aesthetic experience in shaping human self-awareness and understanding of the world.
The three-day event, organized by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission from Dec. 4–6 under the theme “Philosophy Between East and West: Concepts, Origins, and Mutual Influences,” explored the roots and development of Eastern and Western philosophies.
It also examined their mutual influences and contemporary perspectives that enrich intercultural dialogue, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Held at the King Fahd National Library, this year’s edition examined how philosophical traditions evolve and interact across cultures. The event attracted a distinguished audience of thinkers, researchers, and philosophy enthusiasts from Saudi Arabia and abroad.
Armstrong described beauty as a human experience rooted in simple forms — such as the curves of sand dunes or the lines of a wooden table.
He noted that “beauty exists within us as much as in the world around us,” referencing English philosopher Roger Scruton’s view of beauty as the subtle harmony found in natural and man-made objects.
Armstrong emphasized that contemplating beauty activates a cognitive process that deepens life understanding, calling the aesthetic experience “a gateway to life’s wisdom.”
The opening day featured in-depth discussions on the nature and methods of philosophizing in Eastern and Western traditions, exploring concepts such as mimesis, existence, and philosophical distance, and their roles in shaping meaning and schools of thought.
Sessions also traced the roots of philosophy in ancient civilizations, Greek thought, and Eastern traditions, reaffirming that the question of origins remains central to understanding how philosophical concepts evolved into the modern era.
Other sessions examined the relationship between philosophy, the absolute, and ethics; shifts in contemporary thought; and the need to reintegrate philosophy into a unified epistemic framework that can interpret the complexities of modern reality.
Participants discussed the essence of philosophizing across theoretical and practical dimensions, the importance of methodological tools for generating concepts and analyzing problems, and the future of philosophy education in the Arab world and its role in fostering critical thinking.
On the second day, the conference examined intersections between Eastern and Greek philosophies and the renewed global interest in Eastern thought since the 1970s.
It also highlighted the influence of Ibn Sina and the Qur’anic dialogical tradition as philosophical models for constructing meaning and forming logical arguments.
Participants engaged with theories of communicative action, frameworks of justice and respect in dialogue, and the role of the Arabic language in shaping concepts, developing terminology, and structuring philosophical discourse.
The final day featured broad discussions on philosophical interactions between East and West in the modern era and the transformations shaping today’s philosophical landscape.
Sessions covered topics such as geophilosophy, building intellectual bridges, and the relationship between children’s literature and philosophy. Additional panels examined intellectual coexistence, shared language across schools of thought, and how Eastern and Western philosophies address contemporary issues.
The conference also hosted a series of philosophical debates featuring students from Saudi universities, offering three days of thoughtful dialogue and rich intellectual exchange.
Participants presented an inspiring model for the future of philosophy in the Kingdom, marked by critical insight and a sincere pursuit of meaning.
The debates concluded with a final competition on the closing day, where the winning team was honored by the commission’s CEO Abdullatif Al-Wasel, reflecting the commission’s commitment to supporting and empowering young talent.
The conference offered workshops on philosophical argumentation, modern epistemic challenges, and ways to draw on philosophical heritage to shape contemporary intellectual visions. These sessions provided specialists and enthusiasts with practical training to bring philosophy from theory into practice.
The event hosted 60 speakers, philosophers, thinkers, and researchers from around the world, along with more than 40 dialogue sessions exploring the roots and development of philosophical thought.
