09/07/2025 08:30
- 10:45
HALL: Lecture Hall 27
Proponent:
Ujházi L.
Chair:
Ujházi L.
Speaker:
Balla J.,
Darabos Á.,
Fenyves K.,
Jancsó A.,
Nagypál S.,
Ujházi L.
Secularization is a two-faced process. On one hand, it transforms religious concepts into this-worldly (philosophical, political, or social) ones while inadvertently preserving structural analogies with their original models. The concept of human nature is no exception. Although it is sometimes suggested that the erosion of Christian anthropologies dominating European philosophy and social-political thought began already during the Middle Ages, it might as well be argued that its shadows have kept haunting modernity ever since.
This panel examines the origins and effects of secularization on Christian perspectives of human nature, emphasizing theological anthropology. The discussion spans both Protestant and Catholic traditions, with key figures such as Reinhold Niebuhr and Joseph Ratzinger offering insights into the interplay of political theology and anthropology. The panel investigates how secularization recasts theological motifs, including the imago Dei, into modern concepts like human dignity, which remain structurally tied to their theological origins.
Broader implications of these transformations are also explored. The reconciliation of Catholic and liberal traditions provides a lens through which to examine church-state relations and societal challenges. Ecclesiastical institutions, including bishops' conferences, play critical roles in addressing contemporary issues like human rights or environmental issues.
Finally, the panel considers persistent anthropological tensions within secular religions arising from liberalism, individualism, and technological advancements like AI. These underscore the enduring challenge of reconciling Christian anthropologies with secular frameworks. By weaving these threads together, the panel highlights how secularization obscures, yet does not eliminate, the theological underpinnings of political and ethical thought in modern society.