A Celebration of Philosophy, Poetry and the More-Than-Human World

Monday 15th June | 6pm

A Celebration of Philosophy, Poetry and the More-Than-Human World

Join us for an evening of philosophical reflection on the role that poetry can play in connecting us with non-human animals and the environment. Inspired by the writings of Newcastle-based philosopher Mary Midgley, we present insights from the global multi-species poetry experiment, Philosophy in the Wild: Finding Hope in Mixed Communities.

The evening will begin with a short introduction from the project’s director, poet-philosopher Dr Mara Daria Cojocaru, who will explain the concept of multispecies poetry and share poems co-authored with bats, bison and eider ducks.

After that, there will be two presentations. Dr Karen Simecek will talk about poetry as a site of community and explore the limits of felt connections to others through a poem. Dr Vid Simoniti will consider the claim that art is a form of worldmaking, and query what it would mean for art to help us reframe our relationship to the climate crisis.

After the talks there will be a chance to get a glass of wine or soft drink, before joining us for a roundtable discussion and Q&A.

More about the speakers and event

Image: Mara-Daria Cojocaru | Image provided by promoter

Mara-Daria Cojocaru is a poet and philosopher, based in London. Her research explores moral and political problems, the emotions and human-animal-relations. She is the author of Passionate Animals: Emotions, Animal Ethics, and Moral Pragmatics.

Image: Karen Simecek | Image provided by promoter

Karen Simecek is associate professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick and author of Philosophy of Lyric Voice. Her research focuses on poetry and performance, in particular the ethics and politics of the embodied voice.

Image: Vid Simoniti | Image provided by promoter

Vid Simoniti is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Liverpool. Most of his recent research investigates the relationship between aesthetics and politics, from both philosophical and art historical perspectives. His book Artists Remake the World examines the role of contemporary art in democracies.

You will be able to visit an interactive exhibition of the Philosophy in the Wild poetry, curated by Mara-Daria Cojocaru, at the Tin Church at Newton-by-the-Sea during June. This is part of a residency with The Old School Gallery, Alnmouth. Details will be announced on the project website.

Philosophy in the Wild: Finding Hope in Mixed Communities is the second philosophy-poetry project curated by Women in Parenthesis and inspired by Newcastle-philosopher Mary Midgley. The project is generously supported by the Midgley Trust, The British Society for Aesthetics, The Old School Gallery (Alnmouth), Durham University and University of Liverpool.

A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5 (ticket includes a glass of wine or soft drink)

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)

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