CFP: Culture and Philosophy as Way of Life in Times of Global Crisis

The theme of the 2013 World Congress of Philosophy in Athens “Philosophy as Inquiry and Way of Life,” directs attention to actively coping with social life, which the ancient Greeks defined as bios in its various forms. But as the breadth of the World Congress impedes the concentrated philosophical analysis on any one issue, it has been the practice of the Council for Research in Values and Philosophy  (RVP) in collaboration with a number of philosophical societies to hold a smalle  more focused conference just prior to the World Congress. Hence, on August 1-3, 2013 this pre-Congress conference will be held at the University of Athens on “Culture and Philosophy  as Way of Life in Times of Global Crisis.”

It will look at ways of life not only as particular applications of universal philosophical theories, but as sources of philosophical insight. Indeed, can existential praxis be the point at which cultural transformations take place and generate the creative new philosophical insights and commitments of a people?

To this end proposals are invited for papers from the many cultures and civilizations. These  should bring forward how philosophical heritages can contribute to vision that deeply inspires and enlivens their own ways of life and vice versa. Moreover, insight will be sought also on how this can challenge and mutually enrich the way of life of the many  civilizations as this global age unfold.

More specifically, papers on the theme “Way of Life” are invited on the contributions and limitations of insights from:  Empirical and scientific methods, Pragmatism and praxis, Human subjectivity and creative imagination, and Metaphysics and culture.

Logistics

There is no registration fee. Participants will cover their travel, the Pre-Congress conference organizer will help locate less expensive accommodation in Athens. A one page abstract should be submitted by April 10, 2013 to cua-rvp@cua.edu. Full papers, for which there is no upper page limit, will be due by July 10, 2013, for pre-distribution and publication.