Conceptions of Suffering in New Phenomenology and Classical German Philosophy – Interdisciplinary and Transcultural Crossroads

Conceptions of pain and suffering have always played a significant role in the context of different philosophical traditions. However, attempts at establishing a systematic dialogue between these traditions have been rare until today. The conference aims to excavate the specific potential of gaining insight into the methodological crossovers of Classical German Philosophy and New Phenomenology. Being a structural feature and, simultaneously, an undeniable phenomenal factor, suffering as a concept proves to be particularly fruitful in connection with this attempt.

Date: April 4th (Sat.) - 5th (Sun.) 2026
Place: The University of Tokyo, Komaba Campus
Building 101 1st Floor EAA Seminar Room
Registration: in person: here
online: here

Programme
April 4th Discussion from German Idealism

13:00 Opening Remarks: Prof. Dr. Shinji Kajitani (University of Tokyo)
13:10 Keynote Speech:
Prof. Dr. Julia Peters (University of Heidelberg)
Hegel on Pain and Self-Consciousness
14:10 Prof. Dr. Taiju Okochi (Kyoto University)
The I that Suffers. Fichte’s Anthropology
Coffee Break
15:30 Paul Busch, M.A. (University of Heidelberg)
Individualisation through Homecoming in Schelling and Nietzsche
16:30 General Discussion

April 5th Discussion from Phenomenology & Design

10:00 Prof. Dr. Shinji Kajitani (University of Tokyo)
Pain and Suffering as Partners in the Process of Human Becoming: A New Phenomenology Perspective
11:00 Dr. Yukiko Kuwayama (University of Tokyo)
On Suffering as One of Quasi-things (Halbdinge) in Schmitzian Phenomenology: Why It Is Worthy to Take It Seriously
Lunch Break
13:00 Prof. Dr. Yuho Hisayama (Kobe University)
Atmosphere and Polarity. Goethe in the Background of New Phenomenology
14:00 Dr. Hoko Nakagawa (University of Tokyo)
Paradox and Suffering—The Intersection of the Kyoto School and Phenomenology
Coffee Break
15:30 Dr. Laila Cassim (Nara Wemen’s University)
Designing Community-cation
16:30 Philosophy Dialogue
17:00 Closing Remarks: Prof. Dr. Julia Peters (University of Heidelberg)

Organizer: The University of Tokyo Center for Philosophy (UTCP), Uehiro Research Division for Philosophy of Coexistence