Public Philosophy Conference

This conference aims provide a platform for analysis and debate about conceptual and practical issues related to the topic of ‘Public Philosophy’.

The major conceptual aspects that require discussion is about the understanding and value of public philosophy. Some questions that might be addressed for an understanding of public philosophy are as follows: What is ‘public’ philosophy, and how should it be conceptualized? What does it mean for philosophy to be public? In thinking about the value of public philosophy, one might also ask: Why is it important for philosophy to be ‘public’? In what ways ought philosophy be an outward facing endeavour, rather than an exercise confined to academic circles?

Next, we have practical concerns about how public philosophy might best be implemented- this encompasses the components of accessibility and application. In terms of accessibility, we are concerned with questions such as: How can philosophy be of use for ordinary individuals with no background in philosophy? How can philosophy inform and benefit specific domains of individual lives? How might schools and traditions of philosophy from all over the world be used to reach different audiences? Similarly, questions of application arise: What are the most productive ways to promote philosophy to a non-expert audience? What particular methods ought we to use to translate complex philosophical theories into a practice that can be applied and implemented for different goals? What responsibilities are there, if any, for academic and non-academic institutions, and individuals, to advance philosophical understandings of various realms?

The Bristol Philosophy Department welcomes presentations which address these issues. We invite academics, PG students in philosophy and related disciplines, as well as persons whose work bears on our conference topics, to contribute to this event.