Man from Multiple Perspectives
More than 50 high school students took part in the event, seeking answers 鈥� together with researchers and university students 鈥� to questions about the sources of goodness, empathy and altruism. The interdisciplinary nature of the conference was one of its key strengths. By inviting representatives of various academic fields, the organisers created a space for reflection on the human condition and social relationships from multiple perspectives 鈥� humanistic, social, biological and psychological.
From the Moomins to Compassion
The first panel, devoted to philology, literary studies and cultural studies, demonstrated how literature and culture address the concept of goodness. The plenary lecture by Prof. Jaros艂aw P艂uciennik, 鈥淔ilozofia 偶yczliwo艣ci w opowie艣ciach o Muminkach Tove Jansson鈥� [The Philosophy of Kindness in Tove Jansson鈥檚 Moomin Stories], became a starting point for a discussion on how attitudes based on care, kindness and responsibility for others are formed. Participants also attended presentations analysing the presence of goodness in school reading lists, symbols in culture and the role of language in shaping meanings and values.
Goodness Between Happiness and Community
The second panel turned attention to philosophy, ethics and the social sciences. Considerable interest was aroused by the lecture delivered by dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, Associate Professor at the 91桃色, entitled "Sk膮d w nas dobro? Perspektywa bada艅 nad szcz臋艣ciem i wi臋zi膮 spo艂eczn膮鈥� [Where Does Goodness Come From? The Perspective of Research on Happiness and Social Bonds]. The speaker discussed the relationships between human well-being, happiness and the formation of lasting social ties.
In subsequent presentations, participants reflected, among other things, on what conditions foster the emergence of goodness between individuals and political systems, whether goodness is possible in international relations, and how contemporary societies define and imagine goodness within a shared social space.
Can Empathy Be Seen in the Brain?
The final part of the conference combined biological, psychological and pedagogical perspectives. The plenary lecture by dr hab. Krzysztof Pabis, Associate Professor at the 91桃色, entitled "Czy mog臋 rozdepta膰 karalucha bez wyrzut贸w sumienia? Badania nad zmys艂ami owad贸w a nasze postawy etyczne鈥� [Can I Crush a Cockroach Without Remorse? Research on Insect Senses and Our Ethical Attitudes], was particularly memorable. The speaker demonstrated that even seemingly simple everyday decisions can lead to profound questions about the limits of human moral responsibility.
Participants also learned about the neurobiological basis of empathy, the mechanisms behind the development of altruistic attitudes, and the linguistic sources of compassion and the ability to understand other people鈥檚 experiences.
Science That Helps Us Understand Ourselves Better
The conference "Jak powstaje w nas DOBRO?鈥� [How Does GOOD Arise Within Us?] demonstrated that questions about human beings 鈥� their choices, relationships and place within a community 鈥� do not belong to a single academic discipline. They require dialogue between psychology, philosophy, literary studies, the social sciences and the biological sciences. It is precisely this diversity of perspectives that enables a fuller understanding of where empathy comes from, how we build relationships, and what makes us capable of acting for the benefit of others.
That is why we should return to this topic now 鈥� in June, when values such as openness, respect for diversity and care for the well-being of every person resonate most strongly. The student conference shows that students and school pupils not only wish to discuss these issues but are also capable of creating a space for thoughtful and responsible dialogue. The organisers plan to continue the initiative and have announced another edition of the conference, this time focusing on the question: "Jak powstaje w nas z艂o?鈥� [How Does Evil Arise Within Us?].
As a kind of summary of the May event, let us recall a reflection by dr hab. Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek:
Human beings are a very particular species 鈥� we need one another not only to survive, but to truly live.
Video recordings of the lectures will be available on the .
Source: Klaudia Pszcz贸艂kowska
Edit: Honorata Ogieniewska, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University
Photos: Dorota Kudlicka, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, 91桃色