Organized by Prof. Hans-Georg Moeller, Prof. Žarko Aleksić and Prof. Uroš Krčadinac
Weekly meetings will take place on Zoom on Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (US Central Time) beginning on December 06, 2024. There will be 6 seminar sessions: December 6, 13, 20, 27; January 10, 17.
Content
Social theorist Niklas Luhmann stated categorically: “It is no longer necessary to know how the world is, as long as we know how it is observed and as long as we find orientation at the level of second-order observation.” (Introduction to Systems Theory, page 100). This is to say that to orient oneself successfully in today’s society one needs to observe the observation of the world by oneself and by others. Without such expertise in second-order observation it is difficult, if not impossible, to make sense of and partake meaningfully in contemporary life.
According to Luhmann one specific social system is particularly important for supplying us with the second-order observation reality within which we must orient ourselves “The reality of the mass media—this is the reality of second-order observation.” (The Reality of the Mass Media, page 153). Based on the idea that orientation today is mostly second-order orientation which, in turn, is fostered by mass and social media, Hans-Georg Moeller will take a critical look at major representatives of 20th century media theory and introduce Luhmann’s media theory as an alternative to them.
The second part of the seminar, led by the two Serbian artists, Žarko Aleksić and Uroš Krčadinac, switches from media to art. Today, understanding art, too, must operate with second-order orientation. Referencing French philosopher Catherine Malabou, Žarko Aleksić will present various works from his practice to illustrate different aspects of second-order observation in relation to these and to contemporary art in general. Uroš Krčadinac will focus on generative, algorithmic, and data-related digital art in the context of the philosophy of orientation and the notion of second-order observation. Centered around case studies and personal art projects, these sessions will connect art, technology, and media.
This seminar is discussion-based; this means that participants are expected to read the assigned passages before the sessions. The seminar is free, but seats may be limited. Please apply by November 29, 2024, via the application form below by briefly explaining 1.) your professional and/or academic background, 2.) your philosophical interests, and 3.) your motivation for joining the seminar (max. 50 words per field).
Recommended Literature:
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Niklas Luhmann, The Reality of the Mass Media (2000)
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Niklas Luhmann, Introduction to Systems Theory (2012)
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Catherine Malabou, What Should We Do with Our Brain? (2008)
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Hans-Georg Moeller and Paul D’Ambrosio, “Orientation to Profiles: Identity in a Digitized World,” How Does the Digitization of Our World Change Our Orientation?: Five Award-Winning Essays of the Prize Competition 2019-2021 Held by the Hodges Foundation for Philosophical Orientation, ed. Reinhard G. Mueller and Werner Stegmaier (Nashville: Orientations Press, 2023), p. 23-70; available here on our website
- Werner Stegmaier, What is Orientation? A Philosophical Investigation (Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter, 2019)