Our Fellow Mette Lebech (Maynooth University)and Sarah Borden (Wheaton College) are visting us at the Center for the History of Women Philosphers and Scientists. We are excited to welcome them in Paderborn. Duing their stay they will host a seminar together with Daniel Neumann. The seminar will be from the 10th to the 13th of July from 10am to 6pm at the University of Paderborn.

The seminar will provide an in-depth look into Edith Stein’s late magnum opus Finite and Eternal Being, investigating its metaphysical and phenomenological aspects. We will discuss how Stein draws on tradition (especially the philosophy of St. Thomas and Aristotle) and contemporary thinkers (Hedwig Conrad-Martius) in gauging her contribution as a unique attempt at founding a Christian philosophy. The structure is as follows:

Day 1 (10th of July): Discussion of chapter 1 – The Inquiry into Being

Day 2 (11th of July): Discussion of chapter 2 – Act and Potency as Modes of Being

Day 3 (12th of July): Discussion of chapter 3 – Essential and Actual Being

Day 4 (13th of July): Discussion of chapter 4 – Essentia (Ousia, Wesen) – Substance – Form and Matter

Every day will begin with a short introductory lecture, presenting some of the main ideas of the respective chapter. Chapters 1 and 2 will be introduced by Sarah Borden, Chapter 3 by Mette Lebech and Chapter 4 by Daniel Neumann.

In-person visitors are welcome and are asked to register at phenomenology@historyofwomenphilosophers.org.

Sarah Borden is the author of “Edith Stein’s Finite and Eternal Being. A Companion” (2023, Rowman & Littlefield). Mette Lebech’s recent publications on Edith Stein include “The Philosophy of Edith Stein: From Phenomenology to Metaphysics” (2015, Peter Lang).

The seminar language will be German and English.