CFP: AFK in Florida: The 4th Annual Philosophy of Video Games Conference

The Department of Philosophy, the Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights, and the Center for the Future of Mind, AI, & Society at Florida Atlantic University invite submissions for the fourth annual AFK in Florida: The Philosophy of Video Games Conference.

This interdisciplinary conference brings together philosophers, artists, and educators to explore the ethical, aesthetic, metaphysical, social, and political dimensions of games and play. We welcome papers that approach video games as philosophically rich texts and experiences, as well as work that examines the broader philosophical implications of interactive media and ludic culture.

Although the primary focus is on video games, we enthusiastically encourage submissions on related domains of play—board games, puzzles, amusement and theme parks, and other “fun things”—insofar as they raise meaningful philosophical questions.

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Ethics and games: agency, violence, moral choice
• Aesthetics: the art status of games, expression, representation
• Metaphysics of virtual worlds and digital identity
• Epistemology and game mechanics: knowledge, discovery, and rule systems
• Virtue theory and character development in gameplay
• Games as vehicles for social or political critique
• Philosophical themes in game narratives and design
• Mind, embodiment, and virtual experience
• The nature of fun, fantasy, and imagination
• The philosophy of play and its role in human life
• Philosophical pedagogy through games and in the classroom

Submission Guidelines

Please submit an anonymized abstract of 500–750 words, suitable for a 30-40minute presentation followed by Q&A. A separate cover sheet should include your name, paper title, institutional affiliation, and email address.

Send submissions as a single doc or pdf to [email protected]

·         Submission deadline: October 15, 2025

·         Notification of acceptance: November 15, 2025

Keynote:

Christopher Bartel

Professor of Philosophy, Appalachian State University

Author of Aesthetics and Video Games and Video Games, Violence, and the Ethics of Fantasy

Featured Speakers

• Rami El Ali (University of Arizona)
• Christopher Bartel (Appalachian State University)
• Shelby Moser (University of Utah)
• Stephanie Patridge (Otterbein University / University of Iowa)
• Karim Nader (Oakland University)

Questions?

Contact Nicholas Baima: [email protected]