The lecture was delivered by Prof.  Gintautas Mažeikis (Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas).

Abstract:

The lecture starts with the distinction between prejudice, superstition, and hyperstition pointing out their philosophical and cultural implications. For Hans G. Gadamer, prejudice (Vorurteil) is a positive, historically situated precondition of understanding, whereas superstition refers to an ungrounded belief sustained by tradition. The concept of hyperstition (Cybernetic Culture Research Unit, N. Land and M. Fisher) describes fictions that become real through recursive circulation, belief, and ritualized practices. In this sense, hyperstition works as a performative mechanism aligned with accelerationism, where narratives actively intensify and reconfigure reality. Weird and speculative fiction (H. P. Lovecraft, Stanisław Lem, Jeff VanderMeer, and J. R. R. Tolkien) is interpreted as a generator of such hyperstitions, producing “new myths” that infiltrate cultural reality. Land’s notion of the Abyss or Chasm further captures the fragmentation of meaning into multiple symbolic worlds (G. Mažeikis), undermining any unified global order. The concept of symbolic worlds is further connected with the semiotic theories of semiosphere (J. Lotman), unlimited semiosis (U. Eco), as well as the concepts of the iconosphere/phonosphere (J. Wahl and G. Cohen-Séat). Why is there still a need for diversity in forms of faith – such as delving into esotericism – and diversity in practices – such as exploring subcultures? The disappearance of a unified essence, a unified rationality, and a unified logic does not mean that absolute relativism prevails in each of the symbolic worlds. Quite the contrary, in some of them, totalitarian sectarianism with a specific way of thinking may flourish.

Time: 05.05.2026, 1:15pm

Place: Stary BUW, room 205

Gintautas Mažeikis Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. His PhD dissertation and first book focused on Renaissance symbolic thinking, based on the works of P. O. Kristeller, E. Cassirer and F. Yates, and explored topics such as humanism and the occult in Renaissance Europe. His second thesis (habilitation) examined Pragmatics and Analytics in Philosophical Anthropology, drawing primarily on
pragmatism in American cultural anthropology and European cultural studies. His current research interests lie in post-critical theory and symbolic thinking. In this area, he explores critical iconology and literary criticism, as well as the similarities and differences between A. Warburg school of iconology and post-critical interpretations. He analyzes the phenomena of metamorphosis and anamorphosis of consciousness in cultural and social contexts, the diversity of rationalities, and philosophical negotiation and diplomacy. He has published nine books in Lithuanian. His book Critical Theory and Symbolic Thinking (Springer Nature Link) is available in English and discusses critical theory, critical iconology and philosophical diplomacy from the perspective of negative dialectics. He has also published numerous articles in English. Mažeikis is also the author of fantasy/philosophical novels about the imaginary life of the “Lilims.”

The lectures were delivered by Professor Laurynas Peluritis (Vilnius University).

Abstracts: 

1. "The History of the Concept of Revolution"

While many on the left wonder if the age of revolution has passed, the tension may lie not in a lack of action, but in a distorted philosophy of history. Can we rescue "revolution" from its historical baggage, or has the concept itself become an artifact?

In this lecture, Dr. Laurynas Peluritis delved into the history of the concept of revolution, moving beyond traditional frameworks to examine its modern utility. By addressing the critiques of Hannah Arendt and Reinhart Koselleck, Peluritis explored the possibility of reimaging revolution as a still-relevant political concept in a non-Marxist way.

Time: 20.04.2025, 6:30–8:30 pm

Place: European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Room 4 (Ground Floor)

2. "The History of the Concept of Utopia"

Are utopias merely idle fantasies of "no-place," or are they essential catalysts for political change? In a contemporary landscape often dominated by dystopian visions and "realist" resignation, the question arises: is utopian thinking a relic of the past, or a necessary tool for the survival of the political imagination?

In this lecture, Dr. Laurynas Peluritis explored the history of the concept of utopia, tracing its development from a literary curiosity to a potent political category. Central to this investigation is Thomas More’s Utopia - the foundational text that gave the concept its name. Through a historical-conceptual lens, Dr. Peluritis examined how More’s interplay of politics and philosophy continues to resonate in today's fragmented world.

Time: 23.04.2025, 1:15–2:45 pm

Place: European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Faculty of Philosophy, Room 208 (2nd Floor)

3. "The History of the Concept of Tolerance"

What does it truly mean to tolerate in modern political and social life? Is tolerance the bedrock of a flourishing pluralistic society, or is it merely a "cold peace", a pragmatic concession made to prevent total fragmentation?

In this lecture, Dr. Laurynas Peluritis interrogated the history of the concept of tolerance. By examining the shifting boundaries of the "tolerable," we explored whether tolerance is inherently a moral good or a neutral tool that must be measured against external principles like justice, power, and social cohesion.

Time: 23.04.2025, 3:00–4:30 pm

Place: European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Faculty of Philosophy, Room 208 (2nd Floor)

Laurynas Peluritis is an Associate Professor at Vilnius University, Faculty of Philosophy. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy, and in 2022, he defended his dissertation at the Faculty of History titled “The Cave and Two Suns. Philosophy in Soviet Lithuania (1944–1986). Institutions, Personalities, Ideas”. Since 2023, he has been working at the Institute of Philosophy of Vilnius University. Research interests: Political philosophy, History of Ideas and Concepts, History of Lithuanian Philosophy.

Ukraine has always been part of Europe. Not only geographically, but also culturally, politically, economically, and spiritually. Today, however, in the face of prolonged and brutal Russian aggression, Ukraine’s importance to the entire European community is particularly striking. Ukraine is not just one of many regions, it has become a decisive factor in the destiny of all Europeans. The future of Europe depends on Ukraine, and the future of Ukraine depends on other European countries. This situation brings many responsibilities on all sides and deserves a lot of attention from academia. What kind of intellectual resources and conceptual frameworks should we use to understand the crucial moment we are facing? What issues and factors seem to be most important? What are the greatest threats and what possible futures seem most plausible? What historical events might illuminate our present? The speakers attempted to answer these questions in various philosophical and interdisciplinary ways.

Speakers: Professor Yevhen Bystrytsky (National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine), Professor Volodymyr Yermolenko (National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”), Professor Vakhtang Kebuladze (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv), Professor Andrzej Gniazdowski (Polish Academy of Sciences), Professor Rafał Wonicki (University of Warsaw), dr Przemysław Bursztyka (University of Warsaw)

Organizers: Marcin Rychter, Przemysław Bursztyka, Jan Molina

The lectures were delivered by Professor Laurynas Peluritis (Vilnius University).

Abstracts: 

1. "Why Should We Talk About Cultural Synthesis?" 

Is cultural synthesis a necessary condition for the survival and flourishing of national identities, or is it merely a theoretical construct that struggles to find relevance in today’s fragmented world? In an era of geopolitical instability, resurgent nationalism, and the erosion of common cultural narratives, the idea of synthesis remains contested. Does it offer a way forward for societies seeking to balance tradition and modernity, national distinctiveness and cosmopolitan openness?In this lecture, Dr Laurynas Peluritis will explore the philosophical and historical foundations of cultural synthesis, focusing on Stasys Šalkauskis (1886–1941), one of Lithuania’s most influential modern thinkers. Positioning Lithuania at the crossroads of East and West, Šalkauskis argued that national cultures should neither isolate themselves nor passively assimilate into dominant civilisational forces. Rather, he proposed a dynamic synthesis of universal and particular elements, in which national identity remains distinct yet enriched through engagement with broader intellectual currents.

Through a discussion of Šalkauskis’s ideas, this lecture will explore their implications for contemporary Central and Eastern Europe, a region historically shaped by cultural clashes, imperial legacies, and shifting political boundaries. How can we rethink cultural synthesis today, particularly in relation to nationalism, globalization, and European integration? Is synthesis a sustainable model for cultural and political development, or does it risk diluting national identity in pursuit of unattainable harmony? This lecture will engage with these questions through the lenses of political philosophy, intellectual history, and contemporary geopolitical challenges.

Time: 20.03.2025, 1:15-2:45pm

Place: European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Faculty of Philosophy, Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, room 209

2. "Is Tolerance a Virtue?"

What is tolerance in political and social life? Is it a fundamental virtue necessary for sustaining pluralistic societies or merely a pragmatic concession to preserve stability? Drawing on classical philosophy, modern political thought, and contemporary debates, Dr. Laurynas Peluritis will examine the origins of tolerance, its role in liberal democracies, and the challenges it faces today.

The lecture will explore whether tolerance is inherently a moral good or whether it must be evaluated in relation to external principles such as justice, power, and social cohesion. Is tolerance always a force for good, or can it serve as an instrument of oppression? Thinkers like Herbert Marcuse, in his critique of “repressive tolerance,” have argued that it can sometimes reinforce existing power structures rather than challenge them. How should societies navigate the tension between allowing diverse perspectives and preventing harm? Where, if anywhere, can we draw the limits of tolerance?

By engaging with historical and philosophical perspectives – from classical virtue ethics to contemporary liberal theory – this lecture will critically assess whether tolerance should be considered a fundamental virtue or a contingent, context-dependent principle shaped by external political and social imperatives.

Time: 20.03. 2025, 3-4:30pm

Place: European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Faculty of Philosophy, Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, room 209

Laurynas Peluritis is an Associate Professor at Vilnius University, Faculty of Philosophy. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in philosophy, and in 2022, he defended his dissertation at the Faculty of History titled “The Cave and Two Suns. Philosophy in Soviet Lithuania (1944–1986). Institutions, Personalities, Ideas”. Since 2023, he has been working at the Institute of Philosophy of Vilnius University. Research interests: Political philosophy, History of Ideas and Concepts, History of Lithuanian Philosophy.

The lecture was delivered by Professor Tatiana Shchyttsova (European Humanities University, Vilnius)

Abstract: 

The Belarusian protest movement of 2020, triggered by the fraudulent results of the presidential elections and the use of brutal force by the authorities, was the most important event in the history of independent Belarus. Although it did not lead to a change in the authoritarian regime, it is not without reason defined in terms of revolution. A radical social transformation brought about by the Belarusian protests was the formation of a new collective political subject, a solidary democratic community. Given that most of the protesters were apolitical before 2020, it is worth asking: how did a mass of politically indifferent people become capable of unprecedented political solidarity and a strong commitment to certain values and goals? In answering this question, the lecture will shed light on the genesis and key characteristics of the new democratic “we”, which proved to be creative and promising in many ways.

Date: 16.01.2025, 4:45-6:15pm

Place: European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Faculty of Philosophy UW, Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, room 4

Tatiana Shchyttsova, Dr. habil. in Philosophy, is Professor at the Department of Social Sciences and Head of the Center for Research of Intersubjectivity and Interpersonal Communication at the European Humanities University, Vilnius. Her main research interests include: phenomenology of intersubjectivity, ethics, political philosophy,  affect theory, postcolonial and decolonial studies, philosophy of education. Among her previous books are the Russian-language volumes The Event in the Philosophy of Bakhtin (2002), Anthropology. Ethics. Politics (2014), No Future: Depression and Authoritarian Society (2020), as well as Jenseits der Unbezüglichkeit. Geborensein und Intergenerative Erfahrung (2016), and Solidarity of the Shaken. On the Collective Subject of the Belarusian Revolution of 2020 (2025). She is editor-in-chief of the journal for philosophy and cultural studies Topos (published since 2000). From 2021 to 2025, she served as an advisor on education and science to the President-elect of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

The conference was held in solidarity with the philosopher Uladzimir Matskevich, who was innocently imprisoned in the prison of the Belarusian dictator A. Lukashenka.

Matskevich together with a sociologist Tatsiana Vadalazhskaya created the “Flying University” (Лятучы ўніверсітэт) – the last independent university in Belarus, which was focused on the development of critical thinking and its practical implementation. The Flying University (Polish: Uniwersytet Latający, less often translated as “Floating University”) – is a system of underground university in times of repressions. The leader and organizer of Flying university and flying education in Minsk was Uladzimir Matskevich.

The conference was organized by the Vilnius University Institute of Philosophy and the European Centre for Philosophy of Culture, Faculty of Philosophy of University of Warsaw.

Vilnius (Lithuania), September 20-21, 2024

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

More detailed description of the conference

Professor Uladzimir Matskevich was released from the Belarusian prison on September 11^th, 2025. 

The conference brought together Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian philosophers. During the conference the idea of the European Centre for Philosophy of Culture was evoked.

The aim of the conference was a philosophical reconceptualization of the category of Eastern Europe as a particular cultural form, i.e., a specifically determined way of living, experiencing, and self-understanding, localized in a certain space. The existing geographical, political, economic and even culturalist categorizations seem to be incoherent, often mixing criteria brought together from completely different dimensions. It is of the utmost importance to provide/work out a set of philosophical concepts that will allow us to gain a deeper insight into the category in question; and either to maintain and defend it or cross it out from our vocabularies as no longer relevant. Provisionally, what we want to understand as Eastern Europe are the countries which are situated at the outskirts of what is commonly called Western Europe and as such, for centuries and until today, they have been constantly confronted with the paradoxical cultural formation that poses a constant deadly threat to all neighboring states and ethnicities, i.e., Russia.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Organizers: Przemysław Bursztyka, Marcin Rychter, Jan Molina