CFP: Philosophy and the future of Europe

CRISI, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in the History of Ideas
at Vita Salute San Raffaele University, Milan (Italy) plans to publish
the seventh issue of the Journal Phenomenology and Mind, on the topic:

Philosophy and the future of Europe.

We are proud to announce our Call for Papers.

At a time of deep crisis for Europe, it has become increasingly
important to reflect on the relationship between philosophy and Europe,
not only to bridge the gap between the holy temple of academic thinking
and the mundane realm of politics, but also to evaluate the role
philosophy can play in the difficult task of assessing the nature and
the scope of Europe’s problems and dilemmas. Indeed, in the past decades
great efforts have been dedicated to the deepening of the legal
integration of Europe, culminated with the creation of the Economic and
Monetary Union (EMU). While the Maastricht Treaty established the
European Union under its current name in 1993, the latest major
amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU, the Treaty of Lisbon,
came into force in 2009. However, as this process unfolded at a rapid
pace, the attention of the political discourse has been mostly caught by
the challenges posed by a number of technical and economical questions,
with little or no attention being dedicated to a deeper debate on the
peculiar character of the European culture and Europe’s political
identity: what Husserl, at the beginning of the 20th century, referred
to as ‘the idea’ and the ‘telos’ of Europe. The next issue of
‘Phenomenology and Mind’ is addressing this fundamental theme and will
be organised along four and interconnected thematic sections, each of
them dedicated to a specific question:
1.      Constitutional foundations of Europe. Why and which Europe? A
supranational democracy, a federation of nations, an intergovernmental
organism? To what extent does the idea of Europe find its realisation in
today’s European institutions?
2.      Rights and economy: a multifaceted problem. Most influential
economists deny that an economic union can really function without a
political union (and a single finance minister); some suggest to give up
a single currency. To what extent are the rights affirmed in the
foundational documents – including welfare – taken into account within
such discussions?
3.      Geopolitics: Europe’s voice in the world. What kind of political
influence will – and can – Europe exert in the world and by which means?
Could the EU play an autonomous role at a global level of governance?
How?
4.      The future: perspectives and ideals. Are the ends and values
which gave rise to the EU after World War II still in the political
agenda of its Parliament, Commission and Council? How can philosophy
contribute to the renewed ideal perspective needed to promote active
European citizenship?
Applicants are encouraged to critically examine one or more of these
aspects, thereby reflecting on the role philosophy can play in framing
and shaping the debate on the future of Europe. The journal will also
welcome reviews of major relevant books on Europe and the European
question.
Submission details
Submissions for the Summer 2015 issue of Phenomenology and Mind should
be sent to [email protected] by February 28th, 2015. E-mails
containing submissions should bear the title “PaM 7 submission.”
Manuscripts are not to exceed 25,000 characters in length. For stylistic
details, seehttp://www.phenomenologyandmind.eu/on-copyright-and-author-
rights/. Submissions must be prepared for double blind review.
Manuscripts should not contain any identifying information and must be
accompanied by a separate cover sheet containing the name of the
author(s), title of the submitted paper, the author’s affiliation (if
any) and contact information, and an abstract of no more than 500
characters. Notification of acceptance will be sent by mid April 2015.