Socratic Voices

In seven pioneering dialogues, Bert van Roermund resumes the conversations he has had over the last twenty-five years on reconciliation after political oppression. Questions of time are predominant here: How does memory relate to both past and future? Can one be a victim and perpetrator at the same time? Is reconciliation ultimately based on an original bond among humans that enables survivors to forgive their former oppressors? Does this entail a betrayal of past sufferings?

Such questions are discussed in this book by a group of philosophers from (former) conflict areas around the globe. Both the characters and the dialogues are fictional, but at the same time, they are as real as can be. They originate in conversations with many colleagues and intensive research within an international network of scholars, writers, artists, and political activists. Chapters provide philosophical discussions on the highly relevant topic of law, time, and reconciliation.

The book reaches out to all those who wish to reflect on the challenges of peace work, restorative and transitional justice, refugee policies and military interventions, as well as students and teachers of relevant disciplines including social ethics, political philosophy, human rights and international relations.