CFP: Humans & Other Animals

Irish Philosophical Society Annual Conference Nov. 2017 Call for Papers: ‘Humans & Other Animals’

The Irish Philosophical Society, in conjunction with Philosophy at Carlow College is delighted to announce its annual conference (and AGM) entitled ‘Humans and Other Animals’ on the 3rd and 4th of November 2017 at Carlow College.  

The debate surrounding the relationship between humans and non-human animals has a long history, and this interdisciplinary conference aims to bring a variety of views and activities together to explore the nature of this relationship and how it ought to be. We envision this as both an academic conference and also as an exercise in Public Philosophy with a range of speakers on themes that we hope will reach out to those for whom the role and status of the animal in current society is an issue.  

Confirmed keynote speakers so far: ·         

Dr Tony Milligan, King’s College London ·         

Dr Ben Bramble, Trinity College Dublin  

Possible topics could be (but are not limited to):

·         The nature of the human and non-human animal relationship.

·         Comparison between human and non-human animal natures.

·         Philosophical, Historical, Theological, or Scientific views on this relationship.

·         Caring for non-human animals: practical and political ways.

·         Feminist views on the position of the non-human animal.

·         The moral complexities of meat-eating, vivisection, pet-keeping, etc.  

* Please note: Post-Graduate students will be considered for this conference.   

Papers suitable for a twenty-minute presentation should be prepared on any of the above topics, or any related topic. A short abstract (500 words) should be emailed to Noel Kavanagh ([email protected]) by the 8th September 2017. Notification of acceptance will be in the first week of October. For enquiries, please contact the organisers, Sarah Otten [email protected]  or Noel Kavanagh [email protected]