CFP: Worship and the Divine

As part of the John Templeton Foundation-sponsored project, entitled “Worship: A Jewish Philosophical Investigation,” we welcome abstracts for papers on the theme, “Worship and the Divine”.

We are looking to receive abstracts (1) with relevance to the summer’s theme, (2) that could feasibly be completed within the project time-frame, (3) from scholars with a demonstrated ability to carry out a philosophical research project. A relevant but not decisive criterion will be the extent to which the application draws on or contributes to Jewish philosophy.

Questions such abstracts might address include: What might make someone or something worthy of worship and another unworthy? What is worship, and how does it differ from other attitudes, such as deference, respect, and honor? Is there an attitude that is the “opposite” of worship, and is it ever appropriate? If God exists, what should our attitude be toward God? Would God’s existence make a difference to how humans ought to live? Why would a divine being call upon others to worship it? Does anyone have the authority to mandate worship? Can more than one thing be worthy of worship?

Ten abstracts will be selected from those that we receive. Authors of selected abstracts will be expected to write a draft paper on the proposed topic by August 1, 2019 and present/discuss that paper at a four-day workshop, to be held August 5-8, 2019 at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 

Joining us at the workshop will be the following invited philosophers and scientists, each of whom will also be presenting a paper:

• Alexis Abernathy
• Robert Adams
• Jon Kvanvig
• Mark Murphy
• Andrew Newberg
• Miriam Schoenfield
• Josef Stern
• Eleonore Stump

Authors of the selected abstracts will receive a stipend of $4,000 and room and board for the duration of the workshop.

To enter your (approximately 500 word) abstract for consideration, please send it along with your CV, no later than March 1, 2019, to [email protected].

Authors of submissions selected for funding will be notified by April 15, 2019. For more information on the project and the summer workshop, please see our website (below) or contact us at [email protected].