Darwin and Darwinisms

Call for Abstracts:

Darwin and Darwinisms

International Conference: June 3–5, 2024

Venue: University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy

The aim of this conference is to facilitate the exchange of ideas between philosophers, scientists, and other scholars interested in the philosophical and historical study of Darwinism and Darwin’s theory of evolution. Our contemporary understanding of the development, evolution, and distribution of life hinges on Darwin’s theory. As Dobzhansky famously wrote, “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution” (Dobzhansky 1973). Contemporary Darwin scholarship often emphasises the importance of Darwinism—Darwin's achievement—suggesting that his theory of evolution is a turning point in the historical development of biology. This conference aims to evaluate this traditional understanding of Darwinism and Darwin’s theory. Its’ goal is not to devalue Darwin’s important work but to uncover the forgotten influence of Darwin’s contemporaries and predecessors, provide an alternative understanding of his theory of evolution, and, finally, show that Darwin was, nontheless, the scholar of the 18th century.

Submissions are welcome, but not restricted to, the following:

v  Historical research on Darwinism: what is Darwinism today and how does it influence contemporary biology, astrobiology, and the sciences of the origin of life?

v  The role of Darwinism and Darwin’s theory in contemporary biology.

v  The problems of Darwin’s theory of evolution: where was Darwin wrong?

v  The influence of Darwin’s predecessors on the formulation of his theory of evolution.

v  Influence of Darwin’s theory on the development of contemporary sciences of origin, evolution, and distribution of life.

v  Influence of Darwin’s theory on the development of geology and palaeontology.

v  Darwin and post-Darwinism: Punctuated Equilibrium, Eart System Science, Gaia Theory, Astrobiology, etc.

v  Alternative understanding of the development of evolutionism.

Keynote Speakers:

Prof. Dr. Richard Delisle, University of Lethbridge

Prof. Dr. Nicolaas Rupke, Washington and Lee University

Prof. Dr. Antonello La Vergata, University of Modena

Dr. Srđa Janković, University Children's Hospital in Belgrade

Submissions: Please submit an abstract of up to 500 words suitably prepared for blind review via EasyChair by April 10, 2024. The potential speakers will be notified by April 25, 2024.

No attendance or registration fees will be required to join the conference.

For further information and updates on the conference, please check the official conference website.

Best regards,

Organising Committee of the Conference

Darwin and Darwinisms