Updated October 2022
January 2024 will mark 100 years from the birth of Paul K. Feyerabend, and thirty years from his ‘departure from the planet’, as he might have put it. 2024 will thus offer an excellent opportunity to remember and celebrate Paul, both as a human being and in his role as one of the Twentieth Century’s unique thinkers. Starting in the Spring of 2020, Paul’s friends, colleagues, students, and publishers, as well as Feyerabend scholars, have been invited to get in touch and exchange ideas. An international centennial committee has formed and has been gathering online several times. Here is the list of the members of the centennial committee.
Paul Feyerabend has lived and taught across three continents, and his published work has been diffused in many languages, with a readership that extends well beyond purely academic circles. With that in mind, a series of small-to-medium-size events to take place in various locations before and throughout 2024 has seemed appropriate. At the moment, events are being proposed and planned in diverse countries, including : Switzerland, where Paul worked at ETH in Zurich and was at home for many years, and where the Foundation dedicated to his memory is located; Austria, where Paul was born and educated; the USA, where he spent most of his academic career; the UK, where he taught and lived; and Italy, Brazil, Nigeria, Canada, Germany and France where there are lively groups of interested scholars and his work continues to engage students and readers. In the post-COVID19 world, events online, and the diffusion of events online are familiar to everyone and will likely be part of the collection.
The list of events so far completed, being planned, envisaged or just initially discussed as of July 2021 is available here. It includes new volumes of essays about Paul’s work; dedicated symposia, seminars, panels and lectures on diverse relevant subjects; translations and new editions of his works; a dedicated public space with a ‘bench with a view’; a collection of 366 memorable quotes from, or about, his work (to be diffused one-a-day in 2024); special issues of journals; an exchange of university course material; an exhibition; a radio programme; a music recital; a gathering of personal recollections online; and other occasions to celebrate a colleague, friend, mentor and/or stimulating intellectual opponent. Overall, the events will hopefully highlight, from Paul’s work, some lessons and ideas of practical value, helping with concrete predicaments and cherishing and enriching what we all care about.
News of what will be organised will appear in this page, and we invite you to send a message to pkfcentennial@pkfeyerabend.org if you wish to offer specific comments and ideas.
