Set Theory Ontology and the Philosophy of the Event

Set Theory Ontology and the Philosophy of the Event

2nd – 3rd October 2015

Deadline for applications:

9 a.m. 23rd March 2015

‘Masters’:

Oliver Feltham, the American University of Paris

Andrew Gibson, Royal Holloway University of London

Anindya Bhattacharyya, Researcher in Badiouian Ontology

John McSweeney, Milltown Institute, Dublin

Masterclass Description:

Set theory ontology and the philosophy of the event marks a recent and innovative means through which ‘Continental’ and ‘Analytic’ philosophical currents can construct a dialogue between their disparate perspectives. Such debates and developments have been influential in Continental philosophy for over two decades, yet have seen little impact upon the Anglophone philosophical community. In recent years, there has been an intensification in the curiosity of Anglophone philosophers working within the Continental tradition. In 2012 the Badiou Studies journal was established as an English-language forum to facilitate these debates and create a presence within the Anglophone philosophical world. However, despite the philosophy’s suitability for cross-traditional discussion and the journal’s attempts to harbour this, the impact has remained largely within the remit of pre-existing Anglophone continental philosophers, whilst the Analytic community’s engagement with Badiou has been minor.

The second BPPA Masterclass of 2015 will bring together researchers with an interest in all areas of Badiou’s philosophy in order to appraise its relevance to contemporary philosophy. The masterclass will be primarily focused on the core set theoretical principles in order to be approachable to those without sufficient previous engagement with Badiou. The masterclass committee welcomes applications from postgraduate and early career researchers from all areas of philosophy who have an interest in learning about set theory ontology as well as those who wish to develop upon their knowledge.

The aims of the masterclass are threefold:

Principally, the two day event aims to encourage interest in Badiouian ontology within the next generation of British Analytic philosophers with a view to establishing a constructive dialogue between the two philosophical communities. This conference will, therefore, be organized in a masterclass structure in order that it may be accessible to all postgraduate-level philosophy students.

The conference will begin with talks from Oliver Feltham and Anindya Bhattacharyya who will work closely with the participants in the form of open-lectures. These open-lectures will provide contextual information and explanations of principles which underlie Badiou’s ontology. These lecture sessions will reinforce and develop the knowledge – gained from the participants’ preparatory reading – to the level of proficiency required to understand the later speakers and participants’ papers as well as take part in the debate.

The secondary aim of the conference is to facilitate and assist those participants with pre-existing knowledge of set theory ontology in deepening their engagement with Badiou through exploring the nuances and implications of his philosophical approach. The second day of the masterclass will, therefore, focus on critical engagements with Badiou as well as discussion linking his philosophy with other French thinkers. Andrew Gibson and John McSweeney will present open-lectures on the instability of Badiou’s ontology and its relation to political subjectivity, respectively.

The third conference aim is to establish a setting for those participants with an existing engagement with Badiou to discuss their own readings and criticisms of Badiou’s ontology amongst other engaged postgraduate students as well as the ‘masters’ of the field. Sessions of participant papers will, therefore, be interspersed between the main speaker sessions so that a select number of participants – eight or so - will be able to present short papers on various elements of Badiou’s ontology. Accepted papers will be submitted for a special addition of Badiou Studies in Autumn 2016 (subject to double-blind peer review).

Application Process:

The organising committee welcomes applications from postgraduate students and early career researchers from all areas of philosophy with an interest in Badiouian ontology and set theory. Please submit a two-page academic C.V. and a single-sided statement of interest to Ruthie Miller – [email protected] – by 9 a.m. on Monday 23rdMarch 2015. Please be sure to include details of: previous engagement with set theory ontology, details of why you feel you would benefit from attending the masterclass, as well as an outline of the proposed participant’s paper. Abstracts will be requested subsequent to acceptance onto the masterclass.

Funding Information:

The masterclass will be free for participants. In addition, lunch, dinner and tea breaks will be provided for all participants, as well as accommodation for up to 14 participants.

Masterclass Organisers:

Oliver Downing

Head of Committee and Program Coordinator

University of Liverpool

[email protected]

Richard Shield

Treasurer and Publicity Coordinator

University of Liverpool

[email protected]

Ruthie Miller

Applications Coordinator

University of Liverpool

[email protected]

Michael Kelly

Co-Editor of Badiou Studies and Publication Coordinator

University of Leeds

[email protected]

Arthur Rose

Co-Editor of Badiou Studies and Publication Coordinator

University of Leeds

[email protected]