In July 6-8, 2025, I travelled to Oxford to take part in an international academic conference on existentialism and political thought, organized by the UK Sartre Society. The event brought together scholars from various countries and disciplines to explore the contemporary relevance of existentialist thinkers, with a special focus on Jean-Paul Sartre.
I was invited to present a paper based on my doctoral research in philosophy, which examines the intersections between Sartre’s later work and Marxist theory. My talk, titled “Sartre and Marx on the Indeterminacy of Being Human”, focused on how both thinkers understand the concepts of freedom and alienation. I argued that Sartre and Marx do not treat human beings as defined by a fixed essence but as shaped by changing social and historical conditions. According to this view, freedom is not an abstract ideal but something that takes form through confrontation with social constraints and processes of alienation. Rather than seeing alienation as purely negative, both thinkers treat it as an important condition for self-transformation and collective change.
Participating in the conference allowed me to present my research to an international audience of experts in the field. It was a valuable opportunity to engage with questions of philosophical anthropology, political theory, and the relevance of existentialist thought in the present. The feedback I received helped me refine my arguments and opened up new avenues of inquiry that will directly feed into the final phase of my dissertation.
In addition to my presentation, I attended keynote lectures and several inspiring talks by scholars working on topics ranging from theoretical philosophy and ethics to postcolonial theory, aesthetics, and the arts. Informal conversations and exchanges during the conference were equally enriching. I had the chance to discuss ideas with researchers from a variety of academic backgrounds, deepening my understanding of current debates and making new academic contacts.
Attending the conference also helped me strengthen my ability to present complex philosophical arguments in English to a wider audience. I gained confidence in communicating abstract content in an accessible way, which will benefit both my future academic work and public engagement activities.
I am sincerely grateful to the University of Bonn Foundation for making this enriching and productive experience possible through its generous support.
Ein Bericht von Christos Kalpakidis