2027 Fordham University Philosophy Graduate Student Conference
\nConference Theme: \;The Human Function
\nApril 23-24
\nInvited Keynote Speaker: \;Jay Bernstein\, The New School
\nIs there anything particularly human about using tools? Or fermenting sugar into alcohol? Or holding grudges? Maybe not\, crows and monkeys do these too. But what about writing music? Making a sculpture? Giving someone a gift? Is there anything distinctly human about these\, if anything at all? Would we want machines to take over these tasks? Could they? Though current achievements in automation seem unprecedented\, we find ourselves facing these same age-old questions about how technological development might intersect with what makes us human\, be that our agency\, freedom\, knowledge\, politics\, ethics\, and flourishing. Is there something specifically human about these acts that would be lost if these tasks were outsourced to non-humans? \;
\nThis conference will provide a platform to examine how philosophy can evaluate\, question\, and debate the human function (in its myriad meanings) in a time of change\, its relationship to technology\, and its effects on the use and abuse of power in society. Not only can one ask what function humans can or ought to serve in a society that has a (real or alleged) capacity to replace them in any role\, but\, more fundamentally\, if there is an inherently human function at all\, and why might we want to preserve it? How does it manifest? What would it mean for us to identify its existence or any of its characteristics? Additionally\, in light of industry and policy leaders touting the allegedly unstoppable advent of automation\, one might question how irreplaceable humans might be. This\, in turn\, raises concerns about the relationship between power and technology. How would automation\, should it happen\, reinforce or disrupt patterns of oppression and inequality? Does the elimination of human involvement in activities deemed uniquely human put into question whether humans might not be the most efficient carriers of utility?
\nQuestions along this line of inquiry might include\, but are not limited to:
\nHow is the promise/threat of automation from industry and policy leaders connected to the relation of technology to power?
\nIn what ways can philosophy address political\, economic\, epistemic\, environmental\, relational\, religious\, identity\, or health repercussions of automation?
\nIs there a distinctly human characteristic that is not replicable by machines?
\nDoes automation bring a restructuring or a cementing of existing power structures?
\nDoes human function imply human dignity? \;
\nIs there a connection between the human function and the desire for automation? \;
\nHow should political and social institutions prepare to protect humans in a possible future where a considerable degree of automation is achieved? What aspects of human life should be safeguarded\, if any?
\nShould the concept of human function be operative in our ethics? If so\, how?
\nHow have philosophers throughout history written on the human function? Are their approaches still valid? How might their perspectives be useful for contemporary issues?
\nWhat virtues must accompany our impulse toward technologizing?
\nHow have philosophers historically approached the developments of new technologies vis-à\;-vis societal impact? Are contemporary technological developments fundamentally different than previous ones?
\nWhat can we make of the drive to develop technology that can replace us in every aspect\, should that be possible? Is there normative strength in the claim that we ought or ought not to?
\nWhat separates humans from other animals?
\nWhat is revealed about human nature in our tendency toward machination and technology?
\nInvestigations of function as a term of art (function of organs\, etc.) \;
\nDoes humanity\, or does human society\, have a function when taken in its totality? \;
\nOther work broadly related to the question of human function is also welcome. \;
\nWe put forward that submitting abstracts to conferences is part of the human function\, and so we will not accept AI-generated abstracts. If you disagree with this ruling\, please submit an abstract arguing your case. It cannot be AI-generated.
\nPlease submit a 300 to 500-word abstract prepared for blind review to \;fordhamgradconference@gmail.com \;in PDF format. In the body of the email\, please include:
\nName
\nPaper title
\nKeywords (maximum five)
\nInstitutional Affiliation
\nSubmissions are due by Monday\, December 21st\, 2026. After an anonymous review\, applicants will be notified by Monday\, January 11th\, 2027. Presentations will be limited to 20 minutes followed by a 10-minute Q&\;A.
\nThe conference will take place in person on April 23rd and 24th\, 2027\, on Fordham University&rsquo\;s Rose Hill campus\, located at 441 East Fordham Road\, Bronx\, NY 10458.
\nFor questions\, please contact the conference organizers at \;fordhamgradconference@gmail.com
ORGANIZER;CN=Rithik Shetty: METHOD:PUBLISH END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR