{"id":58,"date":"2018-03-07T11:09:54","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T11:09:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aristotelianstudies.mruni.eu\/?page_id=58"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:07:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T10:07:43","slug":"activities-events","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aristotelianstudies.mruni.eu\/?page_id=58","title":{"rendered":"Events & Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Public Lecture by Prof. Jeffery Nicholas<\/strong><\/p>\n

5 pm (EET), Thursday,\u00a0 30 April 2026, CR I-312, MRU, Ateities st. 20, Vilnius<\/strong><\/p>\n

And online via Zoom<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cAll things are equal in Christ\u201d: The Need for a Renewed New Left Church in the Face of Christian Nationalism<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2016\u2019s The Hillbilly Elegy<\/em>, J. D. Vance, the now Vice-President to Donald J. Trump, lamented the loss of community by telling his story of growing up in Middleton, OH, a formerly bustling manufacturing town that lost its factory. Surprisingly, or perhaps not, Vance says nothing to condemn the capitalist economy that drove the company from the town. Rather, he blames the loss of community on widespread diversity and the acceptance of President Bill Clinton in the 1990s. Vance\u2019s memoir can be read as a manifesto of sorts, of Christian Nationalism, which he seems to stand firmly behind. \u00a0In The Case for Christian Nationalism<\/em>, Stephen Wolfe defines Christian Nationalism as \u201cChristian nationalism is a totality of national action, consisting of civil laws and social customs, conducted by a Christian nation as a Christian nation, in order to procure for itself both earthly and heavenly good in Christ\u201d (p. 14, Kindle edition). For Wolfe, the desire is to institutionalize Christianity, and, again, the only criticism Wolfe offers of capitalism is when it portends to universality. In contrast to Vance and Christian Nationalism, I argue for a renewal of the New Left Church. In a little known work, The New Left Church<\/em> from 1966, Terry Eagleton argues for a different kind of Christian approach to politics, one that emphasizes community, an idea that in theory Vance would agree with, but a community that is non-hierarchical, one that both Vance and Christian nationalists in general would disparage. Where Christian nationalists want to institutionalize Christianity, a reading of Eagleton would affirm the need to make our institutions sacred, which had less to do with Christianity than to do with honoring what it means to be human. Only through embracing this understanding of community can we move forward toward a new and better world of human flourishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n\n

Jeffery L. Nicholas <\/strong>is Professor of Providence College, USA. Currently, Jeffery is a Visiting Professor at Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Udine, Dipartimento di Scienze Giuridiche, Italy. He is also the director of CASEP (Centre for Contemporary Aristotelian Studies in Ethics and Politics), a Research Fellow at MRU\u2019s Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory, and the author of numerous papers and books, including Love and Politics<\/em> (Routledge, 2021).<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

****<\/strong><\/p>\n

MRU Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory\u2019s International Conference<\/p>\n

Flourishing Lives, Alienation and AI<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thursday, 4th of April 2024 <\/strong><\/p>\n

MRU, Ateities st. 20, CR I-414, Vilnius<\/p>\n

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation is changing human lives and our societies dramatically. It is estimated that nearly half of all jobs in technologically advanced societies are susceptible to automation and will affect unemployment greatly. The proliferation of a variety of self-moving tools has also paved the way for theorizing the future human condition in terms of post-work. The most recent defenders of this thesis are Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams and their celebrated Inventing the Future: Postcapitalism and a World without Work<\/em> (2015). There is also theoretical debate surrounding so-called good or meaningful work and its role in a well-functioning society. The distinction between alienated labor and non-alienated labor is essential for the discussion on the role of work for human flourishing.<\/p>\n

The aim of this conference is therefore to reflect on these dramatic technological changes. The key premise of our reflections is that they should be judged from the point of view of human flourishing broadly understood. One of the most fundamental questions is: how can technology, including AI, contribute to human flourishing and what role, in the current socio-economic regime of capitalist modernity, does it play in keeping alienation intact?<\/p>\n

International speakers will join via Zoom<\/a><\/strong> (to join press \u201cZoom\u201d)<\/p>\n

Conference Programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n

9:30-10:00 Welcome: Giedr\u0117 Val\u016bnait\u0117 Ole\u0161kevi\u010dien\u0117 (Vice-Dean For Research, Mykolas Romeris University) and Andrius Bielskis (MRU)<\/p>\n

Session 1: Chaired by Henrikas \u017dukauskas<\/p>\n

10:00-10:30 Egidijus Mardosas (Mykolas Romeris University): Human Flourishing and Alternative Technology<\/p>\n

10:30-11:00 Andrius Bielskis (Mykolas Romeris University): On Sheep and Self-Moving Tools: Material Conditions for Human Flourishing and Non-Alienated Labour<\/p>\n

11:00-11:15 Discussion<\/p>\n

Session 2: Chaired by Andrius Bielskis<\/p>\n

11:15-11:45 Anthony Burns (University of Nottingham, MRU): Marxism and the Idea of a Fully Automated Machine Society<\/p>\n

11:45-12:15 Vaidotas Valantiejus (Vilnius University of Applied Sciences; Vilnius University): The Welfare State in Today\u2019s Automated World: Is It Really an Outdated and Impossible Concept?<\/p>\n

12:15-12:30 Discussion<\/p>\n

12:30-13:30 Lunch<\/p>\n

Session 3: Chaired by Egidijus Mardoas<\/p>\n

13:30-14:00 Jeff Noonan (University of Windsor): Artificial Intelligence, Alienation, and the Existential Conditions of Human Flourishing<\/p>\n

14:00-14:30 Kelvin Knight and Joe Simpson (London Metropolitan University): Techn\u0113<\/em> in the Conflicts of Modernity: A MacIntyrean Approach to Technology<\/p>\n

14:30-14:45 Discussion<\/p>\n

Session 4: Chaired by Andrius Bielskis<\/p>\n

14:45-15:15 Ruth Groff (Saint Louis University): Marx, Alienation and Technology<\/p>\n

15:15-15:45 Henrikas \u017dukauskas (Mykolas Romeris University): New Machines, Old Ghosts, and Bigger Soul: Opening up for an Eschatological Event<\/p>\n

15:45- 16:15 Final Discussion<\/p>\n

The conference concludes a three-year research project \u201cHuman Flourishing and Non-Alienated in the Age of Automation\u201d funded by the Lithuanian Research Council.<\/p>\n

Everyone is welcome!<\/p>\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n

MRU\u2019s Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory cordially invites you to a Public Lecture \u201cDefending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n

by Dr David P. Gushee<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, 30th of October 2023, 5 pm at Mykolas Romeris University, LAB Building, Room 101, Didlaukio st. 55, Vilnius<\/p>\n

Comparing several different historical settings, Prof. Gushee will discuss his newly published book Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies<\/em><\/a> (Eerdmans, 2023). He will argue that there is a sadly consistent pattern in which practicing Christians have adopted an ideology he calls authoritarian reactionary Christianity. They then also make an anti-democratic turn that contributes to democratic backsliding. Two countries near to Lithuania described as demonstrating this pattern are Russia under Putin and Hungary under Orban. US developments in relation to Trump are described as strikingly parallel. Prof. Gushee will also attempt to retrieve pro-democratic resources and paradigms embraced within the Christian theology and practice of some believers, including democratic congregationalism, covenantal theology\/ethics\/politics, and the US Black Christian abolitionist\/social justice tradition. In a time when the stability of the political order of the USA, one of the world\u2019s oldest democracies, is very much in question, Prof. Gushee seeks to \u201cdefend democracy from its Christian enemies.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lecture will be chaired by Prof. Andrius Bielskis<\/strong>, the director of MRU\u2019s Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory, with a short introduction by Dr Henrikas \u017dukauskas<\/strong>, a member of the Centre.<\/p>\n

Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies<\/em> will be available to buy during the event.<\/p>\n

The lecture will be hybrid, accessible via Zoom <\/a><\/em><\/strong>to the international members of the Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory and anyone interested in this important topic.<\/p>\n

Dr David P. Gushee <\/strong> is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University, Atlanta, USA, and Chair in Christian Social Ethics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. He is also Senior Research Fellow at International Baptist Theological Study Centre, Amsterdam and former President at American Academy of Religion, Society of Christian Ethics. David P. Gushee is also a notable and well-known public intellectual in the USA and Europe.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\n

Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory is conducting a research project “Human Flourishing and Alienated Work in an Era of Automation<\/span>“.<\/p>\n

Rapidly increasing levels of automation pose important challenges for contemporary societies. It creates conditions for freedom from laborious and unsatisfying forms of work but the promise of freedom from work also creates important ethical and social challenges which require renewed philosophical reflection. In order to do so the proposed research offers an original philosophical perspective that unites contemporary Aristotelian philosophy and critical theory. Our methodological and philosophical premise is that Aristotelian notions of practice (as meaningful activity) and of human flourishing, combined with the critique of alienation of labour under capitalism, provide the best resources to reflect on the ethical and social challenges of rapidly growing automation.<\/p>\n

The aim of this research, therefore, is to reflect on the challenges of automation to work as a creative activity from the point of view of human flourishing. To achieve it three objectives are set. 1. Philosophical analysis of automation: critical evaluation of the key achievements in automation in different spheres of production and human life thus far. 2. The theorical conceptualization of non-alienated work (as a meaningful and productive activity) vis-a-vis human flourishing in the context of contemporary capitalism using an Aristotelian perspective. 3. Identification and critical analysis of the ethical and social challenges generated by automation.<\/p>\n

The following group of researchers will conduct this research: project leader dr. Andrius Bielskis and two main researchers: dr. Anthony Burns (University of Nottingham) and dr. Egidijus Mardosas (MRU, Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory (ASCT)). The research team will cooperate with dr. Henrikas \u017dukauskas, also a member of MRU Centre for ASCT.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

We have renewed our online study of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics <\/em>again and now we meet via Zoom on Wednesdays at 11 am Vilnius time.<\/p>\n

****<\/p>\n

Our “Aristotelian Practical Philosophy” reading meetings to study Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics <\/em>has resumed on the 19th of September 2019. We meet every Thursdays at 4 pm (Vilnius time). The readings take place at Mykolas Romeris University, LAB Building, in 101 (Didlaukio st. 55, Vilnius). The international members of the Centre connect via Skype. Anyone interested is welcome to join!<\/p>\n

****<\/strong><\/p>\n

First Annual Conference of Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory (ASCT), Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, May 24th<\/sup>-25th<\/sup> 2019<\/p>\n

Aristotle and Critical Theory <\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday, May 24th<\/sup> <\/strong><\/p>\n

MRU, Ateities st. 20, CR I-414<\/p>\n

9.45-10.15 Registration <\/strong><\/p>\n

10.15-10.30 Welcome:<\/strong> Saulius Spurga (MRU Deputy Rector) & Andrius Bielskis (Director of ASCT)<\/p>\n

10.30 \u201312.00 Session I <\/strong>(chaired by Povilas Aleksandravi\u010dius)<\/p>\n

Tony Burns (University of Nottingham, UK): \u201cAristotle\u2019s Ethics and the Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School\u201d<\/p>\n

Andrius Bielskis (Mykolas Romeris University, ASCT, Lithuania): \u201cAristotle, Normativity and Critical Theory\u201d<\/p>\n

12.00-13.00 Lunch <\/strong><\/p>\n

13.00-14.30<\/strong>Session II <\/strong>(chaired by\u00a0Dario Martinelli)<\/p>\n

Tom Angier (University of Cape Town, South Africa): \u201cA Paradox in Aristotle’s Hierarchical Taxonomy of Living Things\u201d<\/p>\n

Henrikas \u017dukauskas (Mykolas Romeris University, ASCT, Lithuania): \u201cSocial Movements Confront Theology of Action: the Heritage of Aristotle in the Baptism of Fire\u201d<\/p>\n

14.30- 15.00 Coffee Break \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

15.00-16.30 Session III <\/strong>(chaired by Egidijus Mardosas)<\/p>\n

Joseph Dunne (Dublin City University, Ireland): \u201cPaulo Freire Then \u2013 and Now? Re-reading Pedagogy of the Oppressed<\/em> After Fifty Years\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelvin Knight (London Metropolitan University, UK): \u201cMacIntyre, Political and Practical Philosophy, and Critique\u201d<\/p>\n

16.30-17.00 Coffee Break<\/strong><\/p>\n

17.00-18.00 Session IV <\/strong>(chaired by Joseph Dunne)<\/p>\n

Ruth Groff (Saint Louis University, USA): \u201cWhat Can We Learn From Marx That Aristotle Didn\u2019t Already Say?\u201d<\/p>\n

Saturday, May 25th<\/sup><\/strong><\/p>\n

MRU, Didlaukio st. 55, LAB 102<\/strong><\/p>\n

10.00-11.30 Session V <\/strong>(chaired by Kelvin Knight)<\/p>\n

Eleni Leontsini (University of Ioannina, Greece): \u201cA Critique of the Neo-Marxist Interpretation of Aristotle\u2019s \u201cPolitical Organicism\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeffrey Nicholas (Providence College, USA): \u201cWhat is Critical Theory Anyway? Preliminary Considerations\u201d<\/p>\n

11.30-12.00 Coffee Break<\/strong><\/p>\n

12.00-13.30 Session VI <\/strong>(chaired by Andrius Bielskis)<\/p>\n

Giedr\u0117 Plepyt\u0117 (Lithuanian Social Research Centre): \u201cSociological Approach to Happiness and Eudaimonian Ethics\u201c<\/p>\n

Egidijus Mardosas (Mykolas Romeris University, ASCT, Lithuania) \u201cWork and the Working Classes in Aristotle\u2019s Ideal Polis\u201d<\/p>\n

13.30-24.00 Enjoying summery Vilnius <\/strong><\/p>\n

Click here to see abstracts <\/a><\/p>\n

****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our meeting time to read Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics <\/em>has changed. From the 10th of January 2019 we will meet every Thursdays at 4 pm (Vilnius time).<\/p>\n

****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every Wednesday (from 31st of October 2018 on) at 6 pm the Members of the Centre (and everyone interested and able to join us in Vilnius) meet to read Aristotle’s <\/span>Nicomachean Ethics<\/span>. <\/em>We use David Ross’s translation comparing it to the original as well as to other translations (including the Lithuanian translation of Jonas Dum\u010dius). The readings take place at Mykolas Romeris Uuniversity, LAB Building, in 101 (Didlaukio st. 55, Vilnius). The international members of the Centre connect via Skype. Lithuanian scholars interested in Aristotle are especially welcome!<\/p>\n

****<\/strong><\/p>\n

Launch of the Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory will be held on Thursday, 22nd of March 2018 in Room 102, LAB MRU, Didlaukio st. 55, Vilnius
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Programme:<\/strong><\/p>\n

16.00-16.15 Dr Vassiliki Dicopoulou, Ambassador of Greece: On the Greek-Lithuanian Cooperation<\/p>\n

16.15-16.30 Dr Algirdas Monkevi\u010dius, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University: Welcome<\/p>\n

16.30-16.45 Dr Giedrius Vili\u016bnas, Vice-Minister of Education and Science, Welcome and Greetings<\/p>\n

16.45-17.00 Dr Andrius Bielskis, Director of the Centre: On the Mission of the Centre for Aristotelian Studies and Critical Theory<\/p>\n

17.00-17.15 Dr Eleni Leontsini, International Research Fellow: Why are Aristotelian Studies Important?<\/p>\n

17.15-17.30 Prof. Dr. Tatjana Aleknien\u0117, Guest Scholar, The Relevance of Plato and Aristotle Today<\/p>\n

17.30 Wine Reception<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Public Lecture by Prof. Jeffery Nicholas 5 pm (EET), Thursday,\u00a0 30 April 2026, CR I-312, MRU, Ateities st. 20, Vilnius And online via Zoom \u201cAll things are equal in Christ\u201d: The Need for a Renewed New Left Church in the Face of Christian Nationalism In 2016\u2019s The Hillbilly Elegy, J. D. Vance, the now Vice-President … <\/p>\n

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