CFP: The Heart of Ethics: The Role of Emotions in Value Theory

Conference Theme

Emotions play a crucial role in shaping the quality and significance of our lives, and have steadily come to enjoy a more prominent role in ethics. Today, there are many competing theories of what emotions are and when they are fitting, which in turn have implications across metaethics, normative ethics, and moral psychology. These developments have, for example, revived sentimentalist accounts of the nature of normative properties and our knowledge of them. Recent investigations into the temporal dimension of emotions have also sought to uncover when and why (if ever) grief may cease to be an appropriate response to loss, or resentment to a wrong. Further, innovations in the philosophy of emotions affect long-standing debates in aesthetics, such as the paradox of painful art and the epistemic value of artworks. Theorists across feminist philosophy and philosophy of race have also drawn attention to the important ways in which one’s gender and race affect one’s emotional landscape. Yet another development is the effect of emerging research in non-Western philosophy; these traditions offer alternative and under-discussed perspectives on the ethical importance of certain emotions.

The primary aim of this conference is to take stock of the latest developments in what emotions are and their connection to long-standing questions across value theory. The papers presented will illuminate our understanding of emotions and the roles that they play in our normative lives

Speakers
The conference will comprise four sessions, followed by (optional) commentaries. Two of the sessions will be delivered by invited speakers:

• Sara Protasi, University of Puget Sound (Keynote Speaker)
• Alba Curry, University of Leeds

The other two sessions will be delivered by speakers selected via an anonymous CFPs. 

Call for Papers

We are soliciting two further speakers via an anonymous CFAs. We will cover each of these two speakers’ accommodation costs for two nights and they will be provided with lunch and dinner on the day of the conference. But we will need to ask that speakers cover their own travel costs. 

Those wishing to apply for the two remaining speaker slots should submit an abstract of up to 300 words (in a PDF or word document) to [email protected] by February 9, 2024. Please do not include any identifying information in the document containing the abstract. Please title the email ‘Submission to Emotions Conference’.

All submissions will receive an email response confirming receipt of the abstract. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by February 23, 2024. Junior faculty and members of under-represented groups in Philosophy are strongly encouraged to apply.

Funding for PGT/MA/MPhil Students

We welcome PGT/MA/Mphil students with an interest in doing a PhD in an area of Philosophy linked to the conference theme to apply for funding to attend. We will cover three students' accommodation costs for two nights, and contribute up to £100 to each student’s travel costs. Students will also be provided with lunch and dinner on the day of the conference.

Those wishing to apply for funding should submit a personal statement of up to 300 words (in a PDF or word document) to [email protected] by February 9, 2024, detailing their current programme of study, their interest in the Conference topic, and why they believe they would benefit from attending. Please do not include any identifying information in the document containing the statement. Please title the email ‘PGT Submission to Emotions Conference’.

All submissions will receive an email response confirming receipt of the statement. PGT students will be notified of the outcome of their application by February 23, 2024. Members of under-represented groups in Philosophy are strongly encouraged to apply.