CFP: Authority and Its Discontents

Authority and Its Discontents 

M a r c h 1 5 - 1 6 , 2 0 2 4

V i l l a n o v a U n i v e r s i t y

Speakers: Dr. Vincent Lloyd (Villanova University) and Rev. Dr. Michele E. Watkins (St. John's University)

Hosted by Fides Quaerens, the philosophy and theology interdisciplinary graduate student working group at Villanova University

Deadline for submission: Jan. 3, 2024

Call for Abstracts

Narrating how authority goes wrong is a critical task. For this conference we seek creative approaches to the concept of authority, reckoning with its failures in a variety of intellectual traditions. What models for thinking differently about authority exist within these traditions, and what models must still be invented? What are the impediments to clearer articulations of how authority functions in individual, intellectual, social, and political life, and how can these be addressed? What are the connections and disconnections between how authority is imagined in intellectual work and the frameworks of authority structuring society, such as ‘family,’ ‘police,’ or ‘church.’ What other creative approaches to the concept of authority are useful? Papers might also explore related topics such as influence, force, law, sovereignty, inspiration, transference, or others, incorporating philosophical, theological, political, or other critical disciplinary approaches.

We invite topics from, but not limited to, the following areas:

Political Philosophy

Social Philosophy

Continental Philosophy

Political Theology

Philosophical Theology

Systematic Theology

Christian Ethics

Biblical Theology

Historical Theology

Psychoanalytic Theory

Deconstruction

Critical Theory

We welcome papers at all stages of development and see this as an opportunity to workshop new ideas and papers in progress. Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words. Full paper submissions are welcome. Final papers should be suitable for a 20-minute presentation, around 3000 words, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A.

Proposals should be submitted to Nathaniel Grimes, [email protected], and prepared for blind review. With your submission, please include a cover page with the presenter’s name, institutional affiliation, and contact information. Acceptance notifications will be sent out in January 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Wang at [email protected].

Deadline for submission: Jan. 3, 2024