CFP: Philosophy and Life World

Submission deadline: October 31, 2014

Conference date(s):
December 15, 2014 - December 17, 2014

Go to the conference's page

Conference Venue:

Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
Shanghai, China

Topic areas

Details

Philosophy, according to the common point of view, is supposed to be
universal knowledge. This means, on the one hand, that it is
knowledge for all, necessary, and hence true; on the other hand, it
claims to be the supreme principle for all the other kinds of
knowledge. Indeed, philosophy has held a favored position for human
beings though it has contained many conflicts. Today, however,
philosophy seems not to be as popular as it once was. Many of its
areas are occupied by the positive sciences while the rest  as pure
speculation seems too far from human life.

However, new problems arise every day in our life, many of which
cannot be answered by the positive sciences. For instance, implied in
the notion of social progress is the idea of human freedom; is this
the same as the fulfillment of human desire? If yes, what is the
ultimate purpose of human’s life? If not, is there a reasonable
limitation of desire; is it necessary and possible for human beings
as a whole to be self-restrained? Such problems, which concern human
destiny, cannot be resolved within positive sciences. In a world that
is ever more democratic where people are obliged to decide their own
future, it is urgent for everyone to have some understanding of the
above questions. This understanding, concerning our own selves, is
self-awareness of our own life. In terms of traditional philosophy
the above problem is called the problem of human nature or of the
human essence and is an ancient issue. We would like to renew this
problem now that our life is the result of our own choice and people
are never satisfied with the way we live. Human beings face more
serious challenges than ever before, for example, the threaten of
weapons of mass destruction and a worsening environment which urges
consideration of escaping from earth to another planet. Thus, human
beings create crises as well as happiness and it is time for us to be
more self-aware. This surely is a philosophical issue.

To work on the above problems, we need to exam our current life
situation; to discuss how life in this planet could be sustained, and
this not merely in favor of human beings but also of the whole sphere
of life including the earth and human beings. But the traditional
philosophy seems unable to solve the above problems; as a way for
knowledge about the world it does not touch the above problems at
all. Therefore, we should not merely focus on western philosophy, but
open more broadly to other philosophies. Chinese philosophy is
specially recommended here as it calls people to be the heart of
heaven and earth, as Zhang Zai, a Confucian of Soon Dynasty,
indicated. To be sure, the Chinese philosophy might not meet the
definition of traditional philosophy, but it engages the problems of
our life and world, which could be discussed in no other way than by
philosophy. Hence, discussion of Chinese philosophy might enrich
philosophy.

Philosophers of the world are welcome to join us on the topic
“philosophy and life-world.”  Comparisons between the Chinese and the
western philosophy will be especially appreciated.

Application

There is no registration fee. Participants will cover their own
travel costs.

The application should include:
1) a vitae that specifies the applicants educational background,
   professional positions and affiliations, and publications;
2) a letter of intent; and
3) the abstract of the paper

Please send all the information to He Xirong [email protected]>, Shi
Yongshe [email protected]> and [email protected]>.


Contact:

He Xirong & Shi Yongshe
Institute of Philosophy
Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
215, 7/622, Huaihai Zhong Lu
Huangpu District
200020 Shanghai
China
Email: [email protected]  or  [email protected]
Web: 

Supporting material

Add supporting material (slides, programs, etc.)