Relational Injustice: Social and Global

Organizers: Sean Aas, James Gledhill, Sarah Goff, and Mara Marin

Venue: Forschungskolleg Humanwissenschaften, Bad Homburg
(http://www.forschungskolleg-humanwissenschaften.de/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=105&lang=en)

There is no shortage of ideals of justice. However, endorsing a particular conception of ideal justice does not necessarily help us to understand actual injustice in its diverse forms. This conference is motivated by the belief that theorizing about injustice can bring a new set of perspectives to the critique and transformation of relations between individuals, groups and states. This is a fruitful time for theorizing about injustice. A convergence can be detected between the traditions of analytic political theory and critical theory. Contemporary critical theory has increasingly adopted the language of justice and injustice in undertaking social critique. Meanwhile, recent developments within analytic political theory have seen attention turn from constructing ideals of just social relations to a focus on understanding manifest injustices. However, many questions remain unanswered: to what extent does the identification of injustice presuppose an ideal of justice? How can economics and social science better inform normative theory with a practical intent? Does a change in focus from justice to injustice go far enough, or is an enlarged conceptual repertoire required in order to come to terms with today’s social ills? This conference aims to combine theoretical insights from the traditions of analytic political philosophy and critical social theory to achieve a better understanding of injustice. Relevant themes include: unfairness, exploitation, coercion, oppression, domination, misrecognition, and alienation. In exploring these themes, it surely will be helpful to examine and critique real world injustices. Real world issues of particular interest include discrimination, racism, economic marginalization, and trade and finance.

Registration

Attendance is free. Registration is required for organizational and catering purposes by May 17. Places are limited, and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.

In order to register, please contact Ms Valérie Bignon: [email protected]

For schedule information, see: