Praxis Seminar with Tuğba Sevinç - Solidarity: A defense of its plurality

[Praxis-CFUL]

Praxis Seminar — Research Colloquium in Practical Philosophy

Praxis-CFUL (Practical Philosophy Research Group | Centre of Philosophy | University of Lisbon)

Session 1: 7 October 2025, 17h00 (Lisbon Time - GMT+1)

Sala Mattos Romão (Department of Philosophy, Room C201.J)

School of Arts and Humanities — University of Lisbon

Solidarity: A defense of its plurality

Tuğba Sevinç, Kadir Has University

Abstract

In this talk I will discuss two distinct accounts on the emergence and cultivation of solidarity: one emphasizing cooperation (harmonious solidarity) and the other highlighting adversity and joint struggle (antagonistic solidarity). In so doing, I challenge Andrea Sangiovanni’s recent attempt to develop a single, overarching definition of solidarity―as “a joint action against (some) significant adversity” (2024). Sangiovanni argues that all historically paradigmatic cases of solidarity, such as Bourgeois’ solidarism, Durkheim’s organic solidarity, nationalist solidarity, Christian solidarity, and the solidarity of social movements, have an “underlying unity” and can be translated into this basic antagonistic formula. While the philosophical endeavor of developing a unified framework for solidarity is captivating, I contend that we should embrace the diversity of solidarity since each account points out distinct possibilities and challenges calling for different strategies to create and foster solidarity. Thus, the paper highlights (and reconstructs) a significant strand in the history of solidarity literature that posits solidarity as emerging from cooperative actions and interactions among individuals and groups (Durkheim, the French Solidarists such as Léon Bourgeois and Alfred Fouillée, Hegel, Marx, Józef Tischner, and Rawls). Overall, my aim will be to challenge the prevailing emphasis on antagonistic theories of solidarity within recent scholarship and to bring forth the unique characteristics of cooperative (harmonious) approaches to solidarity.

More information about this and other Praxis events: https://cful.letras.ulisboa.pt/praxis/events/praxis-seminar-2025-2026/
Contact: c.fil...@letras.ulisboa.pt    

All our sessions are free and open to the public.

The Praxis Seminar is a weekly, in-person event organized by the Practical Philosophy Research Group of the Centre of Philosophy of the University of Lisbon. // This event is funded by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., within the project UID/00310.

Praxis-CFUL

https://cful.letras.ulisboa.pt/praxis/  

Practical Philosophy Research Group | Centro de Filosofia | Universidade de Lisboa

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