Fragility\, vulnerability\, fallibility &ndash\; historically\, these concepts have been understood as shortcomings or even faults\; but in recent years\, philosophers have increasingly suggested that the attempt to theorize our way out of these limits has concealed essential features of human life. The question consequently arises: should these concepts always carry a negative connotation? Can we even conceive of agency without fragility\, relationships without vulnerability\, or knowledge without fallibility? Would the absence of these so-called limitations improve upon these facets of human life\, or render them unrecognizable?
\nThe 12th Annual Graduate Philosophy Conference at Boston University (April 2&ndash\;3\, 2027) will explore these questions and others related to fragility\, vulnerability\, and fallibility in contemporary ethics\, moral psychology\, epistemology\, and queer and feminist philosophy. We welcome submissions on any of these themes from a range of approaches\, including\, but not limited to\, papers that engage with contemporary philosophical literature\, papers that take a historical or interpretative approach\, and papers that use sociological\, anthropological\, and political frameworks to address our topic. We also welcome papers that question whether\, and under what conditions\, these limitations should be valued or overcome.
\nIn the past\, relatively few philosophers have given these &ldquo\;limiting concepts&rdquo\; a positive treatment in their conceptions of human life. In moral philosophy\, we typically speak of fragility as a precursor to corruption and failure\; in political philosophy\, we often think of vulnerability in terms of asymmetrical power relations that stand in need of rectification\; and in epistemology\, we conceive fallibility as an epistemic fault to be avoided or even as a limitation on the possibility of knowledge itself. Despite this\, philosophers continuously acknowledge that these limitations must be addressed in any comprehensive account of human life and experience. As biological creatures\, we are vulnerable to natural and human-made calamities. As social creatures\, we depend on others in order to survive and live flourishing lives. As moral and epistemic agents\, our failures form the very background against which our progress is measured.
\nToday\, there is a growing effort to understand these three forms of human finitude not merely as defects\, but in a more positive light. Our conference will explore this trend by posing anew the question of fragility\, vulnerability\, and fallibility. We are pleased to announce our two keynote speakers: Lisa Tessman (Binghamton University) and Jeffrey Bloechl (Boston College).
\nWe are excited to invite graduate students affiliated with any institution to submit papers on the themes outlined above.
\nSubmission Guidelines:
\nWe invite submissions of papers suitable for a 45-minute presentation\, including Q&\;A (approximately 3\,000-4000 words). Papers should address one or more of the conference themes. Submissions (in .doc\, .docx\, or .pdf format) should be prepared for anonymous review and include a word count. Please supply author name\, affiliation\, and contact information in a separate file.
\nSubmission deadline: Sunday\, December 20th\, 2026 at 11:59 EST. \;
\nSubmit papers (and questions!) to: bu.phil.gradconference@gmail.com
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