CFP: Kant and Modality

Call for Papers: Kant and Modality, Humboldt University of Berlin, July 5-7 2012

Kant’s various modal terms play a central yet to a large extent neglected role throughout his philosophy, from metaphysics, logic and epistemology to ethics, aesthetics and theology. Kant’s transcendental method itself is deeply bound to how he understands the necessary conditions of the possibility of some actual features of our cognitive capacities. Although lately the importance of modality to several key-issues of Kant’s philosophy has been recognized, his views about modality remain a poorly understood and under-researched area. 

The conference Kant and Modality seeks to promote important issues of Kant’s theory of modality and to exchange ideas by bringing together scholars working on all topics relating to his conception of modality. It takes place at Humboldt University of Berlin on July 5–7 2012. In addition to the invited speakers, two slots are available for presentation of 45 minutes, followed by 45 minutes of discussion. We cover all accommodation costs as well as travelling costs up to 500 Euro.

Those interested in presenting their work on any topic related to Kant’s conception of modality should send a max. 1000 word description of their topic along with a CV to t.t.kannisto [at] ifikk.uio.no no later than 15th of April. Priority will be given to topics focusing on Kant’s theory of modality exclusively rather than in relation to other philosophers or fields of philosophy.

Possible topics include but are not restricted to the following:

– Kant’s conception and theory of modality
– Logical, real, deontic, epistemic etc. modalities
– The relationship between different kinds of modality (e.g. logical and real)
– The relevance of modality to Kant’s philosophy (e.g. to metaphysics, ethics, a priori/a posteriori distinction, philosophical method, justification, transcendental idealism, development of Kant’s thought etc.)
– Kant’s conception of being and existence
– Comparison of different interpretations of Kant’s philosophy of modality

Organizers:

    Tobias Rosefeldt, Humboldt University of Berlin
    Toni Kannisto, University of Oslo.

List of invited speakers:

Uygar Abaci (University of Pennsylvania)

Ian Blecher (University of Pittsburgh)

Ralf Busse (Universität Regensburg)

Andrew Chignell (Cornell University) 

Toni Kannisto (University of Oslo)

Jessica Leech (Cambridge University)

Markku Leppäkoski (University of Stockholm) 

Giuseppe Motta (Universität Trier)

Tobias Rosefeldt (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Timothy Rosenkoetter (Dartmouth College)

Nicholas Stang (University of Miami)