“F is for fate. Polarity of the world” from the series of meetings “Alphabet of Anthropology”

Oedipus and Macbeth, Harry Potter and Paul Atrida - what do the listed literary heroes have in common, in addition to decidedly problematic family relationships? All of them had to subordinate their lives and actions to destiny - the inevitability of fate, determined by invisible forces, from which, despite their efforts, it is impossible to escape.

“Fate as a determining force for human life is not only a popular literary and film theme, but above all a concept that influences most religions and cultures. Greek Moyras, Roman Parks, Nordic Nores and Slavic Rodzanice; Hindu and Buddhist karma, Slavic dola, Christian predestination and, finally, the eponymous Roman fatum - these are all traces of the role of destiny in culture, which we will take a closer look at in the upcoming lecture. We will ask ourselves questions about whether fate can be broken, who decides human fate and, finally, how modern man sees destiny. Is it just as the theme of kitschy American films, or is it a life path where he doesn't have to take responsibility for his own choices? — says Marta Paszko, cultural anthropologist.

These and other questions will be answered on October 30 at 5 p.m. on the occasion of the next meeting of the Alphabet of Anthropology series. The series “Alphabet of Anthropology” in Villa Caro Anthropology of culture is a field of science that, above all, tries to understand man as the creator and participant of culture. It seeks to discover the way it interacts with the world — how it organizes and understands it. Most human habits, traditions, beliefs and beliefs are not the result of scientific or technological achievements, but the result of deep roots in our culture, which is largely based on symbols, signs and myths.

The new lecture series, Alphabet of Anthropology, is accessible and witty in its formula lessons that will encourage listeners to take a collective look at themselves and the symbols that have unconsciously guided us for centuries, often independently of the changing world around us. In anthropology lessons, we will consider together, among others, whether the brain is more important than the navel, as well as whether fear has the eyes of a baby.

The lectures are conducted by Marta Paszko — cultural anthropologist and ethnographer, researcher of the region, head of the Department of Ethnography and Anthropology of the City at the Museum in Gliwice