Georgetown University

WHO:

Charles Taylor is one of the world's leading scholars working at the intersection of religion, secularity, and modernity. A philosopher at home in other humanities and social science disciplines, he has authored many pathbreaking books, including “The Sources of the Self,” “Multiculturalism: Examining the Politics of Recognition” and, most recently, “A Secular Age.” Taylor was for many years Professor for Political Sciences and Philosophy at the McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where he now serves as professor emeritus. He was awarded the Templeton Prize in 2007.

WHAT:

The 2008 Berkley Center Lectures welcomes world-renowned philosopher Charles Taylor for a series of three lectures at Georgetown University titled "Narratives of Secularity." In his lectures, Taylor will survey the master narratives that have underpinned secularization, explore more adequate ones, and hazard a picture of the present predicament of religion and spirituality in the West.

Lecture 1: "Master Narratives of Modernity"
Tuesday, October 21; 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Taylor will explore the master narratives of modernity -- sound in some respects, but questionable in others -- that provide the matrix within which secularization theories have been advanced.

Lecture 2: "Disenchantment and Secularity"
Wednesday, October 22; 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Here Taylor will examine the complex relation between disenchantment and secularity in the West, including the different meanings of "disenchantment," and the implicit meanings behind notions of "re-enchantment."

Lecture 3: "A More Adequate Narrative of Western Secularity"
Thursday, October 23; 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.

Taylor will examine the picture that the narrative of Western secularity yields of our present situation, with particular attention to the phenomena of politico-religious mobilization in our time.

The Berkley Center Lectures bring global thought leaders to campus for presentations on cutting-edge topics at the intersection of religion, culture and politics. The formal program is flanked by informal interaction with faculty and students. In April 2007 the center sponsored satellite conversations with Tariq Ramadan, the Muslim reformer barred from entry to the United States.

WHEN:

Three consecutive evenings, beginning October 21, 2008

WHERE:

Intercultural Center (ICC) Auditorium
Georgetown University
37th & O Streets, NW
Washington, D.C. 20057

SPONSORS:

The Berkley Center Lectures with Charles Taylor are made possible through a generous grant from the Stichting Benevolentia in Amsterdam.

COVERAGE:

Media interested in attending must RSVP to Andy Pino at 202-687-4328 or pinoa@georgetown.edu. Press will need to present valid credentials on campus.