1. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Josué Reichow. I’m from the South of Brazil, the part of the country not many people know of – far from Rio! It even snows here sometimes. I have a background in social studies and have done my Bachelor in sociology and my master's in theology. Five months ago, I started my PhD in philosophy at the VU Amsterdam. There are many fields I’m interested in and am currently figuring out how to navigate this best. Next to philosophy, I have a background in bilingual education, and I work as a coordinator of a language centre connected to a college here in the south of Brazil, where I teach the history of English literature.
2. How would you define your research?
My PhD combines the two areas that I have a background in: sociology and theology. The way I would describe it is as if I’m comparing two different “maps” to interpret reality with; two ways of navigating the world. In sociology, a young science, we interpret our social reality, and I compare this to the Christian tradition, and the theological arguments that used to dominate our perspectives of the world. I am looking at different theological movements and then how they responded to sociology. My goal is to start a fruitful dialogue between the two, and to create a bridge. I use the metaphor of maps, because maps are made to interpret and navigate the world, and therefore, they must be accurate, but they also simplify or distort reality to do so. And so do our ways of understanding the world.
3. What made you pursue this PhD at the VU?
When I was finishing my first degree in social sciences, fifteen years ago, I heard of this Dutch philosopher, Herman Dooyeweerd, who used to be a professor at the VU Amsterdam. His philosophy inspired me, and I got interested in his thinking. At that time, I was living in England, and there was a philosophy conference at the VU Amsterdam that I attended. Here I met the faculty and some of the professors, and I really enjoyed it. I continued studying Dooyeweerd’s thinking, and I ended up writing a book about him, introducing his thinking to a Brazilian audience, and applying this to a Brazilian context.
A colleague in Brazil inspired me to approach Govert Buijs with my ideas and during a conference in Belgium I got to meet him. This eventually resulted in me joining a research group led by Govert Buijs on Christian Philosophy last year, and him becoming my supervisor.
4. You’re doing this PhD remotely; can you talk a bit about this experience? How do still stay and feel connected to the VU?
It is always strange to be far away from a place where you work so closely with. However, I’m really enjoying the courses online and being part of the PhD Council also helps to stay connected, as well as being part of a research group. I aim to go back once a year, which also motivates me to stay connected and to keep writing and developing my research, so I have something to share and present when I do get back.
5. Has there been a pivotal moment in these last five months since you started your PhD that stands out to you?
Not one big moment per se. Simply to present what I’m writing to a research group already felt like a privilege. Just to have people spending their time to read and provide feedback on my work, is something quite precious and unique. Even this morning, during an elevator pitch, I received feedback from people who are not even philosophers themselves. I feel really privileged to have their attention and insightful response.
6. What kind of advice would you give to a new PhD candidate?
I would encourage people to do it if that what’s you want. You must bear in mind that you do have to put in the effort to be part of the community. However, whether it’s remote or not, we can still create a network. When doing a PhD, your perspective of the world changes, you become connected to people from all over the world. This is what I like about the VU Amsterdam, I have connections here in Brazil through the VU Amsterdam! It enlarges my understanding of the world for sure. And being in contact with other fields of research, like following online courses, takes me out of my own theoretical bubble. It is very enriching.
