Boundaries and Limits

Boundaries and limits are a part of both our everyday experience of the world and the theorizing that we use to make sense of it. Philosophy takes place on the basis of distinctions, classifications, and taxonomies, yet the divisions that we draw are themselves in need of justification. Among other examples, we divide the world into natural and social kinds; we categorize people or groups based on similarity and difference; we draw distinctions between public and private, sense and non-sense, and science and non-science. In metaphysics and philosophy of biology, we divide the world into categories, kinds, and levels, often according to principles (implicit or explicit) that are themselves in need of justification. In ethics, we explore the concept of autonomy, the relationship between self and other, and the moral relevance of sentience versus non-sentience. Within philosophy itself, we navigate the divide of continental and analytic traditions and the role of the discipline in the community at large. According to what principles do we draw the boundaries that we do, and what justifies these divisions? The aim of our conference is to establish a fruitful discussion on the subject of borders, boundaries, and other limits broadly construed. Submissions are not limited to the above or below mentioned topics.

We intend to discuss these concepts from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Topics vary within metaphysics, logic, philosophy of science, ethics, and political philosophy, and may include mereology, topology, material composition, kinds, spacetime, vagueness, fuzziness, the analytic / continental divide, borders and immigration, the university and the community, and gender and sex.