T. Pelegrinis: from Kant to the immigrants

The provost of the University of Athens, Theodosis Pelegrinis, has found himself in the midst of an unprecedented adventure in the past two days. The 230 immigrants that have settled in the Law School of Athens and ask to be given a residence permit, have placed him in the middle of a battle with an uncertain outcome.

A man of philosophy is called upon to provide a solution to the riddle of Greek absurdity. His position can be described as ranging from uncomfortable to …dreadful as he must keep a balance between students, the state, ethical dilemmas and common logic.

However, his many years in education and his independent thinking seem to help him deal with the situation in the best possible way, even if the final outcome will dominate final impressions.

Kant’s philosophy on applied ethics in everyday life seems to have played a particularly important role in shaping the character of Pelegrinis, and has helped him not be cut off from developments like this, something that could easily happen to a man absorbed in a theoretical science. The opposite is the case, as his experience in common issues and his Facebook page demonstrate.

Students talk of a calm, gentle and very popular man, with tolerance as his main characteristic. As for his political beliefs, and as clear as it is that he took on the chair in Philosophy in a field dominated by professors with conservative views, it is equally certain that he could easily be (self) identified as a spokesman for left-wing views.
 
Rich writing material

Besides studies and articles that have been published in scientific journals and newspapers, Theodosis Pelegrinis, a graduate of the Philosophy School of the University of Athens and Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Exeter in England, has written the following books among others:

   1. Kant’s Conceptions of the Categorical Imperative and the Will
   2. The Concept of Beauty in Damaskios
   3. Chapters of Ethical Philosophy – The Autonomy of Ethical Logos
   4. Experience and Reality
   5. Normality and Uniqueness
   6. Foundation of Moral Life
   7. Man, Animals, Machines
   8. Philosophy and Inquiry
   9. Ethical Philosophy
  10. Exercises in Philosophy for Life and Art
  11. Neo-Platonism: The Twilight of Ancient Greek Philosophy
  12. From Civilization to Hunger
  13. The Eternal Return of Philosophy
  14. Medical Ethics
  15. Introduction to Philosophy

In 2007 he was honored with the State Essay Prize, and beyond his writing endeavours and academic teaching, he has organized seven pan-Hellenic and international symposiums in the Old University during which, many professional theatrical plays took place.
 
Novels, radio and television

Parallel to his scientific activity, Pelegrinis has published two books of literature for Patakis publications: the short story collection "Second Choice" and the novel "The Image of the World", which was also introduced by the Hellenic Radio Third Program.