SG-Café

How do we understand a society that seems increasingly complex and contradictory? And what happens when we question the assumptions on which our institutions rest? Philosopher René ten Bos speaks about dogmas, institutional order, and the role of dissenters.

In his book "The Last Word", Ten Bos exposes the institutional, psychological and political mechanisms that explain why we are and remain so dogmatic. In our secular society, we no longer speak in the name of God, but appeal to truth, justice, efficiency, health or sustainability - a new dogmatism that tolerates no contradiction. At the same time, Ten Bos argues, our institutions actually need sceptics who question these truth claims.

After the lecture, three co-speakers respond with examples from society:
• Kees de Groot, Professor of Worldview and Spiritual Public Health, Tilburg University
• Peter Achterberg, Professor of Sociology, Tilburg University
• Wim Dubbink, Professor of Organisational and Business Ethics, Tilburg University

Keynote speaker René ten Bos is emeritus professor of Philosophy of Management Sciences at Radboud University Nijmegen and former Thinker of the Nation (2017-2019).

Entry € 3. Students enter free with a valid student card and can reserve a ticket via info@paradoxtilburg.nl. The SG-café is an initiative of Studium Generale (SG) of Tilburg University; for students, participation can count towards the SG certificate. More information: www.tilburguniversity.edu/studiumgenerale.