Weatherford College 8th Annual Conference: Philosophy of Religion and Ethics

Weatherford College

8th Annual Philosophy of Religion Conference

“Philosophy of Religion and Ethics”

In every age, we wrestle with moral questions. Debates about justice, responsibility, human dignity, and the good life emerge wherever individuals and communities seek to live together meaningfully. Religious traditions continue to shape ethical reflection—sometimes grounding moral insight, sometimes generating deep disagreement about what we owe to one another. How should religious belief inform ethical reasoning? What role does moral philosophy play in evaluating religious commitments and practices? And can philosophy of religion help clarify the ethical demands of life in a pluralistic world?

It is in light of questions such as these that Weatherford College presents the 8th Annual Philosophy of Religion Conference, held April 10–11, on the theme “Philosophy of Religion and Ethics.”

Matthew Hallgarth, Ph.D. (Tarleton State University) will deliver two Ben Arbour Memorial Lectures addressing central issues at the intersection of ethics and philosophy of religion.

Dr. Matthew W. Hallgarth is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Tarleton State University and a retired Air Force officer. On active duty he taught philosophy for several years at the Air Force Academy. He earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Florida in 2003. At Tarleton, Dr. Hallgarth teaches philosophy courses for the honors college, manages the curriculum, assessment, and course rotation schedule. He has numerous service commitments to Tarleton and the Stephenville community. He is developing a “leadership and humanities” course for Tarleton’s Corps of Cadets and a medical ethics course for Tarleton’s new health professions college. His interests are ethical theory, political theory, world religions, philosophy of religion, and applied ethics, not necessarily in that order.

In addition, a call for papers is being extended to professional philosophers, professionals working in philosophy of religion or ethics, students of philosophy, and scholars or students in any field intersecting religion and ethical theory. Proposals on the conference theme are especially welcome, including—but not limited to—topics such as moral theology, virtue ethics and religion, divine command theory, religious responses to moral disagreement, applied ethics and religious belief, moral responsibility, justice, and the ethical implications of religious practice. While proposals related to the conference theme will be given special consideration, any proposal on a topic related to the philosophy of religion will be considered.

Proposals should be 250–350 words and must be submitted no later than March 13, 2026. Proposals may be submitted to Greg Trickett at [email protected]. Presentations will be limited to a 45-minute time frame (approximately 30 minutes for presentation and 15 minutes for Q&A). Presenters are encouraged to submit a full version of their paper for consideration in a possible published volume.

Conference registration for Weatherford College faculty, staff, and students is free, though registration is still required (Weatherford College registrants may be asked to present a school ID at the registration table). Registration for non-Weatherford attendees is $40. In addition to paper presentations and plenary sessions, the conference will conclude with a Q&A dinner featuring the keynote speaker and select presenters. The dinner will be held at a local restaurant and will be self-pay. A registration link will be available shortly. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to Greg Trickett at [email protected] with any questions or with your proposal submissions.