Ian leask presenting

Dr Ian Leask takes part in symposium in Kyoto, Japan

Dr Ian Leask, Lecturer in Philosophy in the School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music, was part of a delegation from British and Irish universities invited to a three-day symposium in the University of Kyoto, Japan, this summer.

The event - which involved both Japanese and Western scholars and presenters - discussed the topic of 'Reason, Difference, and Toleration' in early modern European philosophy. Ian Leask's presentation was on the Irish philosopher John Toland, concentrating on Toland's 1714 plea for Jewish naturalization. The paper is now due to be published in a Japanese translation. 

The Kyoto conference was hailed as a great success by all involved, and there are now hopes to stage a follow-up event - probably in England - in 2017.