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| Miriam Ringel |
Date: Wednesday, October 14th
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Local: EM 108 (Emmanuel College - 75 Queens Park Crescent East)
The purpose of this talk is to examine imagination and 'Moral Imagination' in a critical – hermeneutical –philosophical course of ethical Issues in José Saramago's work, winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Local: EM 108 (Emmanuel College - 75 Queens Park Crescent East)
The purpose of this talk is to examine imagination and 'Moral Imagination' in a critical – hermeneutical –philosophical course of ethical Issues in José Saramago's work, winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature.
During many years of research I found that most researchers of this writer focused on literary/cultural aspects. These were used by Saramago as a background to write his novels. My talk is oriented towards ethical issues referring to the literary text as a key to ethical sensitivity. Saramago is not a philosopher; but rather a writer who has strong opinions in the areas of morality and society. His work serves as an extensive option to clarify ethical issues presenting him as a moralist.
The first part of my talk will show how Saramago uses imagination and moral imagination in an extraordinary way. The example from the novel The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis will illustrate how Saramago plays with fiction and reality. This novel is a 'game' between Fernando Pessoa and his heteronym – Ricardo Reis, and Saramago himself. The term "poet- existence" coined by Kierkegaard will be clarified. The concept of "poet- existence" displays an experience of alienation, and a position of irresponsibility. In the example I present, I argue that Ricardo Reis as many other male heroes in Saramago's work, immerses himself in this existence. This existence "allows" him not to confront the questions of responsibility and choice, especially the question of lack of realization of the marriage bond on which Kierkegaard extends in his writings.
The second part of my talk will explain the concept of "ethical sensitivity" with the ability to identify ethical issues related to both stimulating compassion and caring, and manifestations of evil including the ways to cope with it. Dealing with evil demands us to discuss important questions like: What is the meaning of life? What are our choices? Do we have free will? Examples from Saramago's novel Blindness will display compassion, solidarity and ways to deal with evil.
Miriam Ringel holds a Ph.D. in Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies and a M.A. in Comparative Literature, Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Dr Ringel was the Head of Literature Studies in Ort – Colleges & Schools for Advanced Technologies & sciences (1991-2007). Her first book was published in Hebrew in 2009 entitled Viagem na Senda das Vozes – A Obra e a Vida de José Saramago (Journey Following the Voices – Life and Work of José Saramago) by Carmel Publishing House, Jerusalem, Israel and Fundação José Saramago, Portugal. Her second book, in print to be published soon, follows her Ph.D. dissertation entitled Imagination and Moral Imagination in José Saramago's Work.
Further reading on Saramago:
Jose in "All the Names" (by Saramago) and the theme of Responsibility by Miriam Ringel:
http://www.academia.edu/14843448/Jose_in_All_the_Names_of_Saramago_and_the_theme_of_Responsibility
http://www.academia.edu/14843448/Jose_in_All_the_Names_of_Saramago_and_the_theme_of_Responsibility
Saramago's Noble lecture:
Some short articles:
A Saramago short story:
