OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide an understanding of the theories and practices involved in interreligious dialogue between East and West. By examining the philosophical foundations of such dialogue and adopting an interdisciplinary approach, it will highlight the complexity of religious diversity and the role of interreligious dialogue in addressing crucial contemporary challenges, such as religious violence, religious pluralism, and the pursuit of peace.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will learn to set a philosophical discourse as a possible meeting point for an interfaith dialog that overcomes apologetic and polemic positions; starting from common questions, which are fundamental to human existence, several answers - from several traditions - will be compared. Seminars will enable students to analyze a few classics of this field, and to compare them to contemporary positions and debates.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching objectives are:

• Develop a proper understanding of the principles and philosophical theories underlying interreligious dialogue.
• Explore the complexities of religious diversity and its implications in ancient and contemporary societies.
• Identify and analyze the historical and contemporary factors contributing to religious conflicts and tensions.
• Foster a critical and philosophical awareness of contemporary religious pluralism.

Upon completion of the teaching, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the principles and philosophical theories of interreligious dialogue.
• Analyze the challenges and opportunities presented by religious diversity in local and global contexts.
• Evaluate the role of religion in shaping social, political, and cultural dynamics within different societies.
• Apply critical thinking skills to examine and interpret diverse religious perspectives and their contributions to interreligious dialogue.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites are required.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching will alternate between lectures delivered by the professors and interventions by external experts and faculty members within the framework of the Citizenship Education Course "Religioni nello spazio pubblico" (link: https://corsi.unige.it/off.f/2022/ins/73315).

Lessons will be held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Theories and Historical Figures of Interreligious Dialogue between East and West
The course offers a journey through Eastern and Western perspectives, outlining both a theoretical framework and historical experiences of interreligious dialogue.
The first part of the course, taught by Prof. R. Celada Ballanti, provides a methodological introduction to the philosophy of interreligious dialogue, with particular attention to the thought of Gotthold Ephraim Lessing.
The second part, taught by Prof. E. Colagrossi, will focus on the Jain philosophy of anekāntavāda, or the doctrine of non-absolutism. This ancient Indian perspective, which acknowledges the inexhaustibility of Truth and of points of view, represents a form of nonviolence applied to the interreligious context.

The teaching includes the "Citizenship Training Course: “Religioni nello spazio pubblico" (link here). Participation in the activity grants a specific open badge.

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

Part I: Theory and historical figures of interreligious dialogue (prof. R. Celada Ballanti)

Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

Part I: Theory and historical figures of interreligious dialogue (prof. R. Celada Ballanti)

Part II: The perspective of Janism (prof. E. Colagrossi) 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

R. Celada Ballanti, Filosofia del dialogo interreligioso, Morcelliana, Brescia 2022.

R, Celada Ballanti, La parabola dei tre anelli. Migrazioni e metamorfosi di un racconto tra Oriente e Occidente, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, Roma 2017 (3 ristampa 2021).

Bibliography for students who are taking the 9-CFU course

R. Celada Ballanti, Filosofia del dialogo interreligioso, Morcelliana, Brescia 2022.

R, Celada Ballanti, La parabola dei tre anelli. Migrazioni e metamorfosi di un racconto tra Oriente e Occidente, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura, Roma 2017 (3 ristampa 2021).

C. Della Casa, Il giainismo, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 1993 (If the text is difficult to obtain, it will be replaced with alternative material).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ROBERTO CELADA BALLANTI (President)

NICOLO' GERMANO

ELISABETTA COLAGROSSI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 16,  2025.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will take the form of an oral assessment, through a dialogue aimed at bringing out the contents covered during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam assesses the understanding of the course material, the student's ability to discuss specific topics, concepts, or case studies, the quality, mastery, and confidence in the presentation, as well as the ability for critical and argumentative thinking.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is reccomended.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Elisabetta Colagrossi (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it), the Department's
disability liaison.