Protecting Humankind’s Common Cultural Heritage: The Problem of Cultural Appropriation
We have invited Cecile Fabre (All Souls College, Oxford) to give a guest lecture at our Department.
December 14, 2023, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Deparment of Philosophy, room 3D
NIG, 7 Universitätsstraße, 1010 Vienna
The thought that there are cultural landmarks which have universal value is a familiar one. It is at the heart of UNESCO’s and the World Heritage’s mission, and is affirmed in a number of international declarations, not least the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. For all its appeal, UNESCO’s ideals raise some deep concerns. In particular, it is not easy to articulate an account of universal value; and it is not easy to show why we are under moral obligations in respect of that heritage. Nevertheless, I attempt to defend those ideals. I seek to show that the protection of humankind’s heritage, qua humankind’s, not only is a moral imperative: more strongly put, it is a duty of justice. I then address one of the most important objections to it – namely that it undermines states’ and their citizenries’ legitimate interest in deciding what to do with landmarks which are located on their territory.
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