Presentation

Western secularized democracy is based on the separation between religious power and political power. Christian religious authority held the exclusive power to establish moral norms - until the mid-20th century, the Church defined morality, which the State enforced. However, with postmodernity, the power of the Church collapses, and with it its authority to set moral norms; these are henceforth established by the State and its assemblies. Consequently, there is no longer a separation of powers, especially when one considers that in 21st-century societies without religion, morality itself functions as a form of religion. The State thus holds in its hands both the moral-religious authority and its enforcement.

Program

Speakers:

Chantal Delsol, Philosopher, Institut de France
Pierre-Hugues Barré, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute
András Lánczi, Philosopher, Director, Professional and International Affairs, European Center of Political Philosophy, MCC
John O’Sullivan, President, Danube Institute

Moderated by: Gergely Szűcs, Visiting Fellow, Danube Institute