Dr. Agustin Martin Rodriguez, the Philosophy Department Chair of Ateneo de Manila University, fervently shares his philosophical views as keynote speaker during the 3rd Philosophers’ Rally. Photo by Janine Abejay

Attended by more or less 200 students from different schools, the 3rd Philosophers’ Rally was held at the Finster Auditorium on Valentine’s Day, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., with the theme, “Towards an Impassioned Affirmation of Life”.

The keynote speaker, Ateneo de Manila University’s Philosophy Department Chair Dr. Agustin Martin Rodriguez, discussed about the end of civilization, a new paradigm of civilization building, a call to mindfulness, attunement in an age of selfies, and a return to the basis of love.

His talk mainly revolved around man’s existence as more than consumption, competition and individualism that are “really destroying us and our world”.

“How do we make ourselves more mindful of the other? The simple answer is love, actually. It’s corny but it’s still true,” Rodriguez emphasized. He said he means not necessarily the romantic kind of love. He talked about filial love and love for the other in social justice.

“This is the real Valentine’s secret: You’ll never know who you are until somebody calls you to be yourself.”

Talking about the learning of a radical openness that allows man to become perceptive of others and be mindful of their calls, Rodriguez said that opening and responding to the other makes man find himself and realize his potentials for a new paradigm and a mindful civilization. He calls, “If you want to be part of the solution, you have to learn to love.”

His talk was followed by concurrent sessions presenting philosophical papers of Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) students and alumni:

Renato Castro, Jr.
Technology as an Extension of Consciousness: An Examination of McLuhan’s extended consciousness

Erik John Reyes
The Undecidable and Deconstruction

Miguel Antonio Cabreros
Nietzsche and the meaning of Science and Technology in the Digital Age

Andrew Monzanes
Can there be human agency in the quest for a theory of everything?

Syrell Christian Lagrimas
Are Limb Prosthetics a Re-Embodiment?

Rovi Kennth Ramos
What does it mean to be Mad?

Vanessa Kate Madrazo
Point of View: A Case for Bias

Raul Lumapas
Breaking the Social Apathy

Leonido Lusañez
Our Love as External Will

Jeffer Joy Orteza
Religion and Society – A Battle for Unity amidst Diversity

Le Grande Dolino
On the Dimensionality of an Incomprehensible God

Alex Abando
Kant vs. Utilitarianism: The Art of War

Maevelle Lynn Mando
Evil is the result of too much knowledge

Sphen Alberio
Change comes with conflict

The philosophical papers are to be published in Lawig, the literary-philosophical publication of the Philosophy Division.

Organized by the Philosophy Department of AdDU, ‘the Philosophers’ Rally is a celebration of ideas, bringing together all those who have freely and joyfully taken on the task of serious philosophical thinking’.

Asked on what significance the event has for him, Alex Abando says, “As a participant, the Philosophers’ Rally is an avenue for me to share my philosophical ideas to other people who are also interested in intellectual discussion which generally turns off most people.”