CFP: Ethos and Violence

Relationships existing between ethoses and violence are usually
reflected upon ex post, when they escalate into conflicts, crises or
wars. The new world order which emerged after 1989 and after the end
of the Cold War is now undergoing another transformation. The current
stage of the transformation, quite vague and ambiguous, is marked by
the symbolic date of the September 11 attacks.

The Greek term of “ethos” can be translated as character or custom,
either of a single individual or of a human community. Violence can
be defined as an experience inflicted on and suffered by man, usually
accompanied by cruelty, suffering and humiliation. Humanists argue
whether in discussions about violence towards animals the term is
used metaphorically or realistically.

The main goals of the Conference are to explore, clarify and gain
in-depth insights into the specific characteristics of historical and
cultural contexts in which the current ethoses have come into being.
A particularly important aspect relates to determining the violence
potential of ethoses. However, we do not want to confine ourselves to
establishing a diagnosis. Without losing sight of the risks and traps
which are associated with utopian thinking, we encourage Conference
participants to formulate normative projects for the emancipation of
ethoses from violence. Violence-containing ethics stands a chance to
become a sound basis for a universal communicative cooperation.

The general topic of the Conference is “Ethos and Violence.“ Below, we
have compiled a list of more specific topics that we will attempt to
address during the Conference.

Subthemes

1. Ethos of war
2. Ethos and politics
3. Crime without a perpetrator
4. Ethos of art
5. Ethos of education vs. violence
6. Human rights against violence
7. Violence and religion
8. Violence, language, hate speech
9. The Internet and postmodern forms of violence
10. Wrong, redress of wrong and forgiveness

Abstract

Please send 300 words and a brief C.V. to [email protected],
[email protected] and [email protected] until April 30 2015 and
the full paper by July 30, 2015. Presentation of accepted papers will
be 20 minutes in length followed by 20 minutes discussion.

Logistics

All travel expenses will be covered by participants (or their
institutions). The organizer of the Conference will cover the costs
of room and meals. Each participant will pay 100 euros.

Conference website:
http://www.crvp.org/conf/2015/poznan.html