Political Philosophy and Literature

“Philosophy […] often “is itself” not by becoming literature […]
but by using literature as its license for free motion.”
— George Steiner, Antigones (Yale University Press, 1996, p. 104)

The Political Philosophy and Literature permanent seminar is dedicated to exploring the connections between Political Philosophy and Literature. In particular, it examines how literary works can illuminate our understanding of some of the most enduring questions in political philosophy, including conflicts of obligation, justice, the nature of power, the pursuit of legitimacy, and the justification of (dis)obedience. The seminar seeks to investigate the ways in which Political Philosophy is often realised through Literature, and how literature, in turn, can clarify what reality itself may obscure.

Each session consists of a critical presentation of a selected literary work, focusing on its central political-philosophical themes, delivered by an invited speaker, followed by a general discussion involving all participants.

The Political Philosophy and Literature permanent seminar is conducted in Portuguese and takes place in person. It is convened by André Santos Campos (andrecampos@fcsh.unl.pt), Inês Pinheiro (ines.pinheiro@campus.fcsh.unl.pt), and José Pereira (j.m.br.m.pereira@gmail.com). The seminar is open to all interested participants. Prior registration is required; to register, please contact one of the organisers.

More information soon.

Seminar Schedule

1st session – September 2026
Antígona [Antigone], by Sófocles (c. 441 aC)
João Constâncio

2nd session – October 2026
O Deus das Moscas [Lord of the Flies], by William Golding (1954)
Giovanni Damele

3rd session – November 2026
Cândido, ou o Optimismo [Candide, ou l’Optimisme], de Voltaire (1759)
Nélio Conceição

4th session – December 2026
Ressurreição [Resurrection], by Lev Tolstói (1899)
Inês Pinheiro

5th session – February 2027
Rei Lear [King Lear], by William Shakespeare (c. 1606)
André Santos Campos

6th session – March 2027
Jacques, o Fatalista [Jacques le fataliste et son maître], by Denis Diderot (1796)
Luís Manuel Bernardo

7th session – May 2027
Walden, ou A Vida nos Bosques [Walden; or, Life in the Woods], by Henry David Thoreau (1854)
Camila Lobo

8th session – June 2027
Ulisses [Ulysses], by James Joyce (1922)
Bartholomew Ryan