CFP: Logos, Mythos, Sophos : Reason and Myth in the Search for Wisdom

Submission deadline: March 30, 2012

Conference date(s):
June 29, 2012 - July 1, 2012

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Conference Venue:

Prometheus Trust
Warminster, United Kingdom

Topic areas

Details

The Platonic tradition has always embraced both reason and myth in its cultivation of wisdom – but what is their relationship?  Are they in opposition or complementary?  How should we understand Socrates’ views on Homer and his fellow poets as stated in the second and third books of the Republic, and Proclus’ response in his Scholia on that dialogue?  As philosophers within our own time and culture, are we still able to balance the two approaches and take from each the insights available to those of ancient times?  What kinds of reasoning and what kinds of myths contribute to our own cultivation of wisdom?

Papers are invited from those interested in these areas for presentation at the seventh Prometheus Trust conference.  We hope that the subject will attract speakers from both academic and non-academic backgrounds who share a common love of wisdom.

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and should be with us at the latest by Friday, 30 March 2012.  Acceptance of these will be confirmed as quickly as possible.

Papers should be around 2500-3000 words or 20 minutes’ presentation (we usually allow a further 20 minutes for a question and answer session after each presentation).

Bookings should be received by us not later than Monday, 30 April 2011.

We are delighted that Professor John F Finamore has agreed to be our keynote speaker. John is a professor of Classics at The University of Iowa, where he has taught since 1983 and was chair from 2002-2007.  He teaches courses in Greek and Roman Philosophy, Word Power, Greek, and Latin. Professor Finamore is the author of Iamblichus and the Theory of the Vehicle of the Soul (1985),  Iamblichus' De Anima: Text, Translation, and Commentary (with J.M. Dillon, 2002) and co-editor (with R. Berchman) of both Plato Redivivus: History of Platonism (New Orleans, 2005) andMetaphysical Patterns in Platonism:  Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern Times (New Orleans, 2007), and he has written numerous articles on philosophy and literature.  He is editor of The International Journal of the Platonic Tradition and president of the U.S. section of the International Society for Neoplatonic Studies.  His research interests include ancient philosophy, the Platonic Tradition, and Latin poetry.  Professor Finamore holds a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Maryland, an M.A. in Philosophy from Tufts, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Classics from Rutgers. 

Accommodation

The conference will take place at Ivy House, a retreat centre in Warminster, which is comfortable and well appointed.   Residential prices are for full board for the weekend (from Friday supper to Sunday tea) and are £130 (£95 for students).  Students are requested to share a bedroom if there are no single rooms available when they book.  Please contact the Treasurer in confidence if you cannot afford these fees as it may be possible to offer you a bursary.

For those who wish to attend the conference but who do not wish to stay or eat at Ivy House, there are inexpensive residential pubs in Warminster and several take-aways/cafes/restaurants. It would be your responsibility to arrange accommodation and food; attendance at Ivy House on a non-residential basis costs £20 per day (to include refreshments and lunch) plus the conference fee.  We can forward a list of local accommodation. 

Conference fee:  This charge is £40 and is payable with your booking.  It is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.  Accommodation fees are payable by end of May. Ivy House has its own cancellation policy – details if required from the Conference Secretary.

Booking forms are available from the Conference Secretary at the address below, phone or email. Completed forms with your deposit of £40 should be returned by Monday, 30 April at the very latest.

Travel: Warminster is on the main train line from South Wales and the South Coast and is easily reached from London via Bath or Salisbury. Buses run from Bath, Bristol and Salisbury and coaches from London.

Prometheus Trust
28 Petticoat Lane
Dilton Marsh, Westbury
Wilts, BA13 4DG
01373 825808

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