The international conference &ldquo\;Animal Liberation\, Forty Years on&rdquo\; will be hosted by the research team (Université\; Rennes 2)\, CORPUS group (Université\; de Rouen) and the Centre de Recherche en É\;thique (Université\; de Montré\;al) on May 28-29 at the University of Rennes 2. Guest speakers: Peter Singer\, Ira W. Decamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values\, \;Princeton University\, as well as Jean-Yves Goffi\, \;emeritus professor\, Université\; de Grenoble II\, France.
In his book entitled Animal Liberation\, utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer elaborates on three main ideas: equality must refer to an equal consideration of interests\, whether they are human interests\, or the interests of any sentient being\; the rejection of speciesism (discrimination based on species&rsquo\; membership)\; and the practical consequence of these two ideas\, namely the necessity to end certain types of animal exploitation\, most notably those related to scientific research and factory farming. This seminal work had a huge impact. So much so that the publication of Animal Liberation in 1975\, has been touted as the pivotal moment in the emergence of the eponymous movement. However\, the animal liberation movement cannot be reduced to Singer&rsquo\;s thought. On the one hand\, it became extremely multifaceted and is now the subject of intense debates - between animal advocates who favour different approaches that lead to incompatible conclusions\, as well as between those who seek to improve the lives of animals and those who oppose the animal rights arguments. On the other hand\, this movement is substantially shaped by the cultures in which it develops.
The purpose of this conference will be to return to the link between the animal liberation movement and the theories of Peter Singer who\, rightly or wrongly\, is seen as its founding father. How was Singer&rsquo\;s animal ethics greeted after the publication of Animal Liberation? What feedback did it get from the animal rights movement? What are the conceptual and practical developments of contemporary animal liberation? What place does the utilitarian doctrine and its consequentialist basis occupy in the work of Singer and in the discussion it generated? What are the approaches in animal ethics to which Singer&rsquo\;s publication led?
In anticipation of this meeting\, we encourage interdisciplinary confrontation of points of view (Anglophone studies\, philosophy\, sociology\, law\, history etc.). We also invite the emergence of a dialogue between different theoretical approaches\, such as animal liberation\, animal rights\, welfarism\, critical studies\, political views on the status of animals\, continental approaches\, etc.
We particularly encourage proposals that address the following topics (non-exhaustive):
\; * \; Antispeciesism
\; * \; The principle of equal consideration of interests
\; * \; Analogies between speciesism and other forms of discrimination
\; * \; The argument from marginal cases
\; * \; The moral and legal status of "person"
\; * \; The discussion surrounding the act of killing vs. the infliction of pain
\; * \; Food choices: veganism\, vegetarianism\, flexitarianism\, omnivorous diet (conscious or not)
\; * \; The question of the replacement of those we kill
\; * \; Ties between animal ethics with other areas of applied ethics: environmental ethics\, bioethics\, medical ethics\, etc.
\; * \; Utilitarianism vs. deontology\, virtue ethics
\; * \; Animal justice from the perspective of liberalism\, neo- conservatism\, Marxism\, anarchism\, etc.
Speakers can give their presentation in French or in English.
The conferences are free and open to all.
CALL FOR PAPERS
Proposals for papers should be of approximately 250 words\, accompanied by a short biography (status\, employer and contact infos). They should be sent before October 30th\, 2014. To submit a proposal for papers\, it is necessary to
\; * \; Create an account on Sciencesconf.orghttp://sciencesconf.org/user/createaccount>.
\; * \; Complete the Document Submission Form and upload your documenthttp://animallib.sciencesconf.org/user/submit> (.docx\, .doc.\, .rtf.\, .pdf)
Notification to authors before January 15th\, 2015.
A selection of the texts presented will be published after the conference.
Unfortunately\, travel expenses of participants cannot be reimbursed. Registration fees for conference attendees will be specified later.
Scientific committee
\; * \; Malik Bozzo-Rey\, Université\; Catholique de Lille
\; * \; Emilie Dardenne\, Université\; Rennes 2
\; * \; Emmanuelle De Champs\, Université\; Paris 8 Vincennes - Saint-Denis
\; * \; Nicolas Delon\, Université\; Paris 1 Panthé\;on &ndash\; Sorbonne
\; * \; René\;e Dickason\, Université\; Rennes 2
\; * \; Valé\;ry Giroux\, Université\; de Montré\;al
\; * \; Jean-Luc Guichet\, Université\; de Picardie - Jules Verne
\; * \; René\; Lefebvre\, Université\; de Rennes 1
\; * \; Sophie Mesplè\;de\, Université\; Rennes 2
\; * \; Brendan Prendiville\, Université\; Rennes 2
\; * \; Mauro Rossi\, Université\; du Qué\;bec à\; Montré\;al
\; * \; Enrique Utria\, Université\; de Rouen
\; * \; Kristin Voigt\, McGill University
Organizing committee
\; * \; Emilie Dardenne\, Université\; de Rennes 2
\; * \; Valery Giroux\, Université\; de Montré\;al
\; * \; David Haigron\, Université\; de Rennes 2
\; * \; Sophie Mesplè\;de\, Université\; de Rennes 2
\; * \; Enrique Utria\, Université\; de Rouen
Scientific Officers
\; * \; Emilie Dardenne\, Université\; de Rennes 2
\; * \; Valery Giroux\, Université\; de Montré\;al
\; * \; Enrique Utria\, Université\; de Rouen
Contacts : Emilie Dardenne\, Valé\;ry Giroux\, Enrique Utria. If you wish to contact us\, please use the email address of the colloquium : animallib@sciencesconf.org mailto:animallib@sciencesconf.org>.