On July 10 and 11, the GRK 2792 Autonomie heteronomer Texte in Antike und Mittelalter organised a unique workshop on "New Editions and Actual Research on Syriac and Armenian Philosophical Texts" at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. The event, promoted by Prof. Dr. Matthias Perkams, brought together scholars for a series of presentations about recent advancements and ongoing research in this field. Renowned scholars, such as Stephen Menn, Yury Arzhanov, Geneviève Lachance, and Alexander Lamprakis, as well as two GRK 2792 PhD candidates, Alfonso Ganem and Diego Viola, participated.

During the workshop, Yury Arzhanov, Matthias Perkams, Alexander Lamprakis, and Diego Viola had the occasion to present their recent or ongoing editions of Syriac philosophical texts. This allowed for discussions on the methodological aspects of editing different genres of philosophical texts, as well as the challenges of translating the technical vocabulary of logic and metaphysics. On the second day, Alfonso Ganem presented insights into his current research project on John Philoponus’ mereology, and Geneviève Lachance offered intriguing perspectives on the contact between Armenian, Greek, and Syriac traditions. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to read and analyse passages of the texts presented, focusing on particularly difficult and complex interpretations.

The event promoted fruitful discussions among the participants and revealed thematic affinities between the different research projects. In all the texts, the influence of Greek philosophy on the Syriac and Armenian texts was evident, along with the specific aspects of philosophy cultivated in these two languages.

The field of Syriac and Armenian philosophical texts has seen significant development in recent years, and this workshop was a unique occasion to bring together both well-known scholars and younger researchers, creating a dynamic environment for academic exchange. This connection provided valuable improvements and advice to the younger participants, fostering their growth, enriching the field as a whole, and offering an interesting platform for sharing advancements in the field of Syriac philosophy and promoting scholarly exchange and collaboration.