CFP: Individualism and Oppression

The 10th Descartes Lectures Tilburg University (The Netherlands)

August 19-21, 2026

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Every other year, a distinguished philosopher visits Tilburg University to deliver the René Descartes Lectures. We are happy to announce that the 2026 Descartes Lectures will be delivered by Prof. Serene Khader (CUNY) on the topic of ‘Individualism and Oppression’.

Each of Prof. Khader’s three lectures will be followed by an invited commentary from our panel of respondents:

• Prof. Anne Phillips (LSE) 
• Prof. Eric Schleisser (UvA) 
• Dr. Kevin Pham (UvA)   

Parallel to the lectures & invited commentaries, Tilburg University will host a workshop on the topic of Individualism and Oppression. 

To that end, we invite submissions in the form of extended abstracts (up to 500 words excluding notes and references) concerning relevant issues, to be submitted by 15 March 2026. Potential topics include but are not limited to:  

• The relation between individualism and theories of responsibility for (resisting) oppression.
• The role of individualism in the oppression of non-human animals or the environment.
• The relation between theories of vulnerability and individualism (in relation to oppression)
• The historical connections between ideas of individualism and notions of liberalism, the state, democracy or citizenship.
• Connections between individualism and identity politics.
• The relation between autonomy, freedom, agency and oppression.

 Abstracts prepared for blind review, together with a separate cover sheet including author name(s) & contact/affiliation information, should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 23:59 CEST on 15 March 2026.

Successful submissions will be notified by 1 May 2026.   Note that, unfortunately, we are unable to fund accommodation/travel costs for workshop presenters.

For more information about the Lectures and workshop, please contact the organizers via email at [email protected].