The Department of Philosophy
Colloquium Series Presents

Comparative Philosophy: The Bricoleuse’s Promenade Through Philosophical Landscapes

by Dr. Tamara Albertini

Date: Friday, March 14, 2025
Time: 2:30PM
Location: Sakamaki C-308

The launching of philosophical pursuits undertaken in an East-West trajectory at the first East-West Philosophers’ Conference in 1939 represents a turning point in philosophy. However, as groundbreaking as this approach was, it left out all philosophical cultures that did not fit the initial framework. Islamic philosophy, being viewed as neither Western nor Eastern (Asian), was thus marginalized from the start. I introduce “Bricolage” – a method emphasizing curiosity, humility, and playfulness – as a more nuanced way of engaging with diverse philosophical traditions. “Bricoleurs” are interculturalists who remain open to the use of different methodologies: they are “flaneurs” walking through diverse philosophical landscapes for sheer intellectual pleasure.

Dr. Tamara Albertini is Department Chair and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.