Culture and civilization are complex concepts at the heart of discussions on human progress. Understanding what drives their development and decline is crucial for navigating modern society. Michael R. J. Bonner sheds light on this subject by examining  the intellectual turning-point of the Enlightenment, which ignited remarkable progress in science and technology. But this era wasn't just about unprecedented innovation; it brought forth moral dilemmas that still persist in current discussions. A careful consideration of historical experiences is key for tackling the challenges of the present. Will our past define our future? Let's find out together at our next Transylvania Lectures event!

Dr Michael Bonner is a historian and government-relations consultant. He has a decade of federal and provincial political experience, having served a total of six Ministers in eight portfolios within Canadian federal and provincial governments. He read Classics and several Middle Eastern languages in undergrad, and took a master's and a doctorate in Iranian history from the University of Oxford. His previous books dealt with aspects of the history of ancient Iran, one of which is a narrative history of the Sasanian dynasty entitled The Last Empire of Iran. His most recent book is In Defense of Civilization: How Our Past Can Renew Our Present.

His interlocutor at the event will be Dr Raluca Moldovan, Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations and German Studies of Babeș-Bolyai University. She has a PhD in history with a thesis on the representation of the Holocaust on film. Her more recent research interests include immigration studies, mass media and the contemporary Middle East. She has published numerous scholarly articles on topics ranging from history to mass culture and international relations in many Romanian and international journals. Among her latest publications is the edited volume The European Union. Policies, Perspectives and Politics (2020).

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