CFP: Martial Arts and Philosophy

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Public Affairs (CCEPA) aims to build collaboration across disciplines and with community partners to promote research, consultation, discussion and policy recommendations through focusing on ethical and philosophical issues. CCEPA invites scholars and martial artists to submit abstracts of papers and workshop proposals for its Martial Arts and Philosophy conference which will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia: June 8-9, 2012.

Topics for workshops and papers include but are not limited to:

• What constitutes a martial art? Are martial arts different from boxing, wrestling, or other sports?
• What is -- or should be -- the ultimate aim of undertaking martial arts training?
• Should martial arts training be publicly funded for groups targeted with bullying or sexual assault?
• How should martial artists best treat opponents in the training hall, ring, or cage?
• What constitutes morally or legally appropriate use of martial arts skills outside of training or competition?
• Should all forms of martial arts be legally or morally permissible no matter how brutal they are?
• What are the intrinsic or extrinsic values of martial arts training?
• Does physical training alone best cultivate martial arts skills? Does development of character matter?
• Do instructors of martial arts have special moral or practical obligations to cultivate certain character traits in themselves or their students?
• Is it appropriate for martial arts in the West to uphold Eastern ideals (such as respect, politeness, or humility) or practices (such as ranking, bowing or language use)?
• What is the ultimate aim of training in martial arts?
• How might martial arts training in the West be more inclusive of women, disabled persons, or persons of non-Western cultures?

SUBMISSIONS: A central feature of the conference will be participatory workshops. Workshops will include a mix of presentations and discussion on substantive issues and practical matters concerning martial arts ideals, aims, goals, and practices. Applicants for workshops should submit a brief proposal (maximum 350 words) highlighting your interest and/or experience relevant to your proposed workshop. Proposals for papers should include title and abstract of the paper (maximum 500 words).

Abstract submissions should include address of the participant as well as email, phone, and institution information. Send attachments as either a Word document or PDF file to the following email address: 

[email protected]

DEADLINE: January 31, 2012

Both papers and workshops are open to academic philosophers, independent scholars, martial artists, philosophy students, and community-based practitioners. The conference language is English.