CFP: Perception, Knowledge, and Assimilation

ʻAll humans naturally strive for knowledgeʼ, Aristotle famously states at the beginning of his Metaphysics. Yet philosophers have wondered ever since what it means to know something and how we can actually acquire knowledge. Can we know anything at all, and if so, where does this knowledge come from? Do we need to have sensory information first and do we have to become like the things we want to know? In the history of philosophy, diferent answers have been given to these and related questions and in this workshop we would like to discuss some of them, especially those by ancient, medieval, and early modern philosophers in the Greek, Latin, and Arabic tradition. We warmly welcome papers on any of these periods and traditions with particular focus on the role of perception and/or assimilation in the process of knowledge acquisition.

It is intended to bring together junior scholars – doctoral students and early postdocs – from different fields in the history of philosophy. The organisers will select up to 4 papers (25mins each plus 15mins for discussion) and provide meals and accommodation (for 2 nights) for those invited. Travel costs will be reimbursed up to 500 euros. All participants are welcome to attend at their own cost the international conference “Knowledge as Assimilation” which takes place at the University of Helsinki immediately before the workshop (June 9-11).

If you would like to present a paper at the workshop please send a 300-word abstract (including a title, your name, affiliation, and qualification) until Friday, March 31, 2017 to [email protected]. The organisers will notify you of their decision by the second week of April. For further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch.