What is “Real” Philosophy, Anyway? Nonstandard Texts and the Value of Alternative Forms of Philosophical Expression

This NEH collaborative research grant would fund an international three-day conference entitled “What is ‘Real’ Philosophy Anyway? Nonstandard Texts and the Value of Alternative Forms of Philosophical Expression.” The very narrow conception of philosophy and philosophizing, arising from the dominance of the Anglo-American analytic methodology of the twentieth century, is currently being challenged by those who want to “resurrect” nonstandard methods of philosophical expression as a way to bring philosophy out of the academy and make it more accessible to general audiences. The conference we propose will showcase these nonstandard methods of philosophical expression. While these alternative methods are currently on the fringe of academic philosophy, they have historical roots. For example, nonstandard methods were featured more prominently in the Early Modern period, in dialogues, poetry, novels, and pamphlets.