For a Religious History of Kindness. Dedicated to the memory of Luca Bossi

Today we are witnessing widespread promotion of the concept of kindness and related practices, partly in response to the increasingly evident aggression displayed in virtual interactions. However, what kindness is, whether there is a code of kindness, and what its interpretations and epistemologies are, is neither clear nor universal.

The conference aims to contribute to an interdisciplinary reflection on the concept and terms related to the semantic field of kindness, particularly in the study of cultures and religions.

How much and how have they reflected on and proposed kindness as a value? Is there a religious sense of the concept and practices of kindness? What is its transformative potential with regard to social life?

The theme of kindness is also examined through the perspective of the study of social and urban space, with a focus on the materiality and forms of interaction between the different groups and individuals who inhabit it.

The conference is dedicated to the memory of Italian sociologist Luca Bossi, who recently passed away at the age of 41. He was a scholar appreciated for his scientific and human qualities, a kind colleague, and a person interested in translating scientific knowledge into practices of coexistence.

Online participation:
https://bit.ly/3VRMtgf

Scientific secretariat:
Francesca Benna |
Caterina Pignotti |

PROGRAMME

11.00 | Opening
Maria Chiara Giorda, Valeria Fabretti, Roberta Ricucci, Mauro Beano, Maria Cecilia Rivoira

I. Disciplinary perspectives
Chair:Angelica Federici – University of Rome “Roma Tre”

11.20 | For a history and a future of the studies on kindness, Maria Chiara Giorda – University of Rome “Roma Tre”
11.40 | How kindness took a hold, Julie Brownlie and Simon Anderson – University of Edinburgh – Simon Anderson Consulting
12.00 | Active Kindness: Beyond Civility and Politeness, Paolo Costa – Bruno Kessler Foundation
12.20 | Kindness and the anthropology of hospitality, Francesco Spagna – University of Padova
12.40 | Discussion
13.10 | Lunch

II. Space, History and Kindness
Chair: Giulia Massenz – Politecnico di Torino International University

14.00 | Infrastructures of Kindness: A Pathway to an Open City, Sandro Cattacin and Fiorenza Gamba – University of Geneva
14.20 | From respectful to kind interactions. On pluralism in the urban space, Valeria Fabretti – Bruno Kessler Foundation
14.40 | Grace and Gift among Romanian Orthodox Christians, Giuseppe Tateo – University of Rome “Roma Tre”
15.00 | Discussion
15.30 | Kind Places? Forms of Worship between Urban Inclusion and Marginalisation, Silvia Omenetto – University of Rome “Sapienza” – Singapore Management University
15.50 | Affability and Friendship in the Works of Battista da Crema (c. 1460 -1534), Andrea Vanni – University of Rome “Roma Tre”
16.10 |  The noble testamentary bequests to the female conservatories in Rome, Emma Pietroletti – University of Rome “Roma Tre”
16.30 | Discussion
17.00 | Conclusive remarks

Special thanks to the Elafro Rivoira family for their support