CFP: 2016 Midwest Society of Christian Philosophers

Theme: Christian Philosophy and Public Engagement

Philosophy’s task is not merely to advance knowledge but also to help people live well. As such, Christian philosophy should inform and help the Christian community live well as Christian individuals and citizens.

The 2016 Midwest SCP Conference at Evangel University invites philosophers to speak to the pressing social issues that face Christians, especially matters on which Christians find themselves in conflict with other groups, whether the broader public or other Christian groups.

Keynote Speakers:

• Richard Swinburne: “Christian Moral Teaching on Sex, Family, and Life”
  Swinburne is a distinguished professor and author of a number of books including The Existence of God (2004), Faith & Reason (2005), Revelation (2007),Was Jesus God? (2008) and Mind, Brain, and Free Will (2013).
• Leigh Vicens: “Sin and Implicit Bias”
  Vincens is an Assistant Professor at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, teaching courses on critical thinking, contemporary moral issues, philosophy of religion, philosophy of mind, and free will and moral responsibility.
• Francis Beckwith: “Taking Rites Seriously: Faith, Reason, and Religious Liberty”
  Beckwith is a professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, and Co-Director of the Program in Philosophical Studies of Religion in the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.

Please submit a 500-word abstract for your paper. Submissions are welcome from both Christian and non-Christian philosophers as presenters and participants.

Submit abstracts to [email protected]. Deadline: July 1, 2016.

We welcome papers on topics that are of interest to Christian philosophers. Preference will be given to those that connect with the conference theme. For instance,

• What are our obligations or permissions with regard to personal matters, such as abortion, the environment, suicide, poverty, divorce and sexual practices?
• How ought Christians to engage collective matters, such as gender marginalization, racial injustice, religious freedom, health care and discrimination?
• Ought Christians or Christian institutions (e.g. universities) adjust their personal views and policies as society changes?
• To what extent, or in what way, ought Christians to advocate for socially controversial views?

Graduate Student Prize

Graduate students who wish to be considered for the SCP’s prize for the Best Graduate Student Paper must submit a final draft of their papers by August 15. A $500 award will be presented publicly at the conference.