LAHORE: The Brett Philosophical Society of the Government College University (GCU) on Thursday held a panel discussion on “Self-Actualisation and Authenticity” in connection with the World Philosophy Day.

Prof Dr Mirza Athar Baig, philosopher and novelist, presided over the discussion which was also addressed by GCU Vice Chancellor Hassan Amir Shah and Dr Alwin Vincent Murad.

GCU Philosophy Department Chairperson Dr Sobia Tahir said the self-actualisation and authenticity had been long standing ideals and goals of human life and man had been pursuing them since time immemorial using numerous means like religion, spirituality, philosophy, art or literature. However, she believed, these ideals were not only unachievable without hard work and struggle but also empty and insignificant.

“Self-actualisation and authenticity may not be sought in utter meaninglessness or vacuum; some value must be assigned to them which one may strive for with conviction, dedication and pleasure,” she added.

In his key note address, Prof Dr Mirza Athar Baig talked about various dimensions for development of the discussion. He pointed out how the movement towards and away from the “self” had impacted various vistas of thought in the western philosophy from René Descartes (1596-1650) to postmodernists. He also shared with the participants his experiences as fiction writer and paradoxes of the identity of the ‘self’ in his novels.

Dr Alwin Murad told the participants about the different theories of self-actualisation and authenticity, and significance of the World Philosophy Day.

VISIT: A group of 50 girls from the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, visited the Punjab University Institute of Agricultural Sciences.

The students were accompanied by Dr Muhammad Javed Sheikh and Dr Shehla Baloch of their university.

Agricultural sciences institute director Prof Dr Muhammad Saleem Haider briefed the student on the department.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2016