CUK conducts Int’l workshop on ‘dialogic consciousness in western philosophy’

Srinagar, Jun 26: To nurture critical thinking and promote intellectual exchange, Office of the Dean International Affairs, Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Thursday took a major step by hosting its maiden offline event, a one-day international workshop on "Dialogic Consciousness in Western Philosophy."

The workshop served as a rich academic confluence centered around the seminal ideas of Russian philosopher and literary theorist, Mikhail Bakhtin, said a statement. The workshop began with a welcome address by the convener Prof Sandhya Tiwari, who welcomed the audience and also presented the concept note. Addressing the participants comprising students, research scholars, and faculty, she highlighted the significance of Russian Formalism in general to the development of western philosophy that has its roots even in ancient Indian ethos.

Vice-Chancellor Prof A Ravinder Nath, who in his inspiring message, set the tone for the event by highlighting the urgent need for dialogic thinking in a world grappling with fragmentation and conflict. He noted that imagination—often sparked by humanistic disciplines—is the seed from which all scientific and technological innovations grow. “Dialogic thinking is essential for cultivating global citizenship, peace, and understanding in today's divided times,” he said. Prof Lakshmi Bandlamudi, a prolific author and a Professor of Psychology, Affiliate College, City University New York transported the audience into Bakhtin’s world—where dialogue is not merely an exchange of words, but a profound philosophical event. She emphasized that "meaning doesn’t reside in one’s words alone but between people," underscoring the relational dynamics that constitute true dialogue, said a press release.