CFP: Navigating the Anthropocene: New Frontiers in Environmental and Political Philosophy

International Conference "Navigating the Anthropocene: New Frontiers in Environmental and Political Philosophy"

Place: Bratislava, Slovenská republika

Date: Wednesday, 24. September 2025 to Thursday, 25. September 2025

CFP

Please, send your abstracts (.docx or .pdf) of no more than 200 words by May 30, 2025, to [email protected]

The concept of the Anthropocene, although originally associated with the natural sciences, has its own historical-philosophical and socio-political dimension, which radically directs our attention to the problem of the relationship of humans to the Earth, to the world. However, what is even more important in this context is a universal problematization of human existence as such. The internal living interconnectedness of the components of the planetary system, including biochemical interactions, with global industrial human activity, which has created an independent technosphere, ultimately deeply affects socio-political issues. The destabilization of the usual, consumer-oriented ways of functioning of societies directly shakes the very principles of democracy. The total breakdown of the values and ideals of Western civilization, the search for overly simplified explanations for complex environmental, socio-political, and economic problems, or the attempt to replace emptied religiosity with a relationship to technologies owned by politically engaged billionaires, all create a dangerous atmosphere of pseudo-culture, abusing the highest ideals of education (critical thinking, verification of information, skepticism towards guaranteed truths, etc.). There is therefore not a single sphere of human existence that would not be affected by the phenomenon of the Anthropocene and its tangible consequences. As for the challenges of environmental philosophy, it must promote transdisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, scientific openness towards the public, and seek critical discussion tools that are adequate for the times that will support awareness of the complexity of the crisis that we as humanity are facing. 

Contributions that creatively and critically connect environmental philosophy, natural sciences, history of philosophy, philosophical anthropology, political and social philosophy, philosophy of education, and last but not least, philosophy of technology are welcome. We cordially invite you to participate and look forward to your contributions. 

The event is supported by VEGA grant no. 2/0110/24: "Tasks of Political Philosophy in the Context of Anthropocene II"