CFP: Virtually Human: Philosophizing Through Games and Virtual Worlds

CFA, Virtually Human:  Philosophizing through Games and Virtual Worlds 

The Molloy University Philosophy Department and New Media Department welcome submissions to our conference, “Virtually Human: Philosophizing through Games and Virtual Worlds,” taking place on our campus in Rockville Centre, NY, on April 21-22nd, 2023.  This interdisciplinary conference welcomes papers from philosophy as well as game studies. The conference will include participation from undergraduates and be open to the public, so papers are encouraged to avoid excessive philosophical jargon and to be accessible to the educated layperson.  We will accept submissions for traditional academic papers, roundtable discussions, panels, or interactive workshops. 

Video games and VR primarily function as entertainment but they are also vehicles for expressing aspects of culture, including philosophical concepts and moral norms. While pop culture functions as a powerful medium for exploring philosophical ideas in the contemporary world, the gameplay format offers an interactive experience in which players are not just spectators, but themselves contribute to the stories that are told. We invite papers and panels that expand on these themes and the importance of games and virtual worlds as tools for philosophical exploration. 

Suggested topics include: 

How do video games represent a unique modern art form? 

How does virtual reality give us new insight into understanding the sublime? 

How does VR enable new opportunities for embodiment and transcendence? 

How is exploring important philosophical questions through specific video games a unique philosophical experience? (You are welcome to explore a specific game.)

How does VR contribute to the extended mind? 

What makes two games the same game? Is speed running a game playing the game? 

Portrayals and representation of minority communities in gameplay

The role of historical representation in games. 

Are there some games that simply shouldn’t exist? 

Accessibility: what are the moral implications of games/VR experiences that are inaccessible? 

Virtual harassment/assault: Moral norms for interacting in virtual worlds 

Teaching philosophy through video games 

A simulated world: what makes the “real” world “real”? 

Please submit an extended abstract (500-750 words) to [email protected] by January 15th, 2023. 

Please indicate in your proposal if you are submitting a) traditional academic paper, b) panel (should have 3-4 panelists), c) Roundtable (1-2 people to lead roundtable discussion) or d) interactive workshop (description of the workshop and what equipment would be needed. We have access to some gaming systems and VR equipment).