CFP: Language and Essence

This is the second annual conference of the Canadian Metaphysical Collaborative. The theme is Language and Essence. A basic question underlies every social, scientific, political, and philosophical enterprise: what is the relationship between language and reality? An even more fundamental question is whether there is anything essential either to language or to reality itself. Ontological essentialism is a commitment to real, versus merely nominal or constructed, essences. If essences exist, then what makes it possible that we can speak about them? Can the ways we speak about essences guide us in our ontological investigations? Can only certain languages convey meaning about essences? More broadly, is language a guide to reality?

Submission instructions. Email paper as attached pdf or doc files to [email protected]. Papers should be less than 7000 words (including notes and references) and prepared for anonymous review. The email's body must include the author's name and affiliation, title of the paper, and a brief abstract (less than 150 words). The submission deadline is June 15, 2018. Decisions can be expected by July 31, 2018. Funding may be available to attendees.