CFP: 1st Midwest Experimental and Theoretical Association Conference

Many contemporary experimental philosophers endorse a broad conception of experimental philosophy according to which one is doing experimental philosophy whenever one uses empirical methods and techniques to help investigate philosophical questions. Other experimental philosophers -- and many critics of experimental philosophy -- have assumed a narrower conception and restricted the practice to the empirical study of philosophical intuitions. Often the narrower project is further confined to folk intuitions and the aim of such studies is also narrowly focused on the evidential value of intuitions. We aim to provoke further discussion of the scope of experimental philosophy and to encourage experimental philosophers to consider how we might advance philosophical inquiry without studying intuitions.

Therefore, the Midwest Experimental and Theoretical Association invites submissions on the theme, “Beyond Intuition: Experimental Philosophy on the Broad Conception.” Submissions reporting new empirical results as well as submissions reflecting on the scope of experimental philosophy, its motivations, or the criticisms raised against it are welcome. The conference will be held at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, October 7-8, 2016. Invited speakers are Carrie Figdor, Ron Mallon, Colleen Murphy, and Justin Sytsma.

To submit, please send either a paper or an extended abstract (up to 1,000 words in length) prepared for blind review AND a separate identifying title page to Ferrin McGinness at [email protected] by July 15, 2016.