Pluartis Keynote Speaker Professor
Angie Hobbs Takes Centre Stage at HowTheLightGetsIn Festival
BRUSSELS / HAY-ON-WYE / PULA – As we count down to the Pluartis Symposium 2026 in Pula this August, our keynote speaker, Professor Angie Hobbs, has been at the forefront of global intellectual debate. From 23-25 May, she was a featured contributor at the prestigious HowTheLightGetsIn festival in Hay-on-Wye, UK – the world’s largest philosophy and music festival.
Professor Hobbs demonstrated the breadth of her expertise across three high-profile sessions, serving as both a leading philosophical voice and a sophisticated moderator for some of the world’s most pressing conversations.
Navigating the “God Debate” and Global Ethics
Over the weekend, Professor Hobbs hosted two major debates that tackled the extremes of human belief and political reality:
- The God Debate: On Saturday, she chaired a head-to-head between the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and renowned skeptic Michael Shermer. The discussion explored whether Nietzsche’s “death of God” has led to societal solidarity or a looming collapse.
- The Age of Assassination: On Sunday, in a session for the Forum for European Philosophy, she hosted a critical examination of the ethics of modern warfare and targeted killings, exploring the blurring lines between combatants and civilians in a “might makes right” world.
The Timeless Relevance of Plato
Concluding her festival appearances on Monday, 25 May, Professor Hobbs delivered a solo talk titled “Why Plato Matters Now.” Drawing from her acclaimed work, she made a compelling case that ancient philosophy is far from a relic. Instead, she argued that Plato’s diagnoses of fake news, autocracy, and the limits of wealth are essential tools for navigating the “pathologies of contemporary life.”
Looking Ahead to Pula 2026
Professor Hobbs will bring this same blend of ancient wisdom and modern strategic insight to the Pluartis Symposium 2026 this August in Pula, Croatia. Her keynote will expand on these themes, offering our attendees a unique perspective on how classical thought can inform modern leadership and cultural harmony.