CFP: CAREP conference March 21-24, 2019: Why The Kyoto School Today?

WHY THE KYOTO SCHOOL (京都学派) TODAY? 

The Centre for Advanced Research in European Philosophy, King’s University College at 

Western University, announces a call for papers for an upcoming international conference: Why 

the Kyoto School Today? 

Date: March 21-24, 2019 

Location: King’s University College at Western University, London, Ontario, Canada 

Plenary Speakers: 

•Dr. Bret Davis (Loyola University)

•Dr. Rolf Elberfeld (Universität Hildesheim)

•Dr. John Krummel (Hobart and William Smith Colleges)

•Dr. John Maraldo (University of North Florida)

•Dr. Brian Schroeder (Rochester Institute of Technology)

• Dr. Mayuko Uehara (Kyoto University)

•Dr. Jason Wirth (University Seattle)

•Dr. Michiko Yusa (Western Washington University)

Theso-calledKyotoSchoolofJapanesephilosophyaroseoutofacriticalconfrontation 

(Auseinandersetzung)with theEuropeanphilosophicaltraditionatthebeginningofthe20th 

century.Thisencountertookplaceatahistoricallycriticalperiod:inbothJapanandEuropea 

worldwascomingtoanendandthinkersinbothtraditionsweresearchingfornewmodesof 

thinking. Japanese thinkers for their part turned to a critical rethinking of modern philosophy and 

with it the modern world. They sought not to Westernize Japan but to imagine a new modern Japan 

andprovidethisnewworldwithitsintellectualfoundations.Theirappropriationofmodern 

thought,however,involvedaradicaltransformationandgoingbeyondmanyofitsinherent 

problems. At the same time, Western philosophy and with it the the modern world entered into a 

crisis from which it has arguably not yet recovered. As a result, we find ourselves at the beginning 

ofthe21stcenturyinanevenmoreprecarioussituationthanwedidatthebeginningofthelast 

century. This conference inquires into the importance of the Kyoto School for our world today. To 

this end, we welcome abstracts for proposed papers that focus on the possible avenues of thought 

offeredby thethinkerswho belongtotheJapanesetraditionoftheKyotoSchoolwidely 

understood. Papers may focus on any thinker or thinkers in this tradition and on any aspect of their 

work. What is more, given the dialogical character of the Kyoto School itself, papers can continue 

this dialogical approach. In all cases, however, papers should be mining this tradition of thought 

and making the case for its contemporary importance.  

Abstracts of no more that 250 words should be sent to: Stephen Lofts ([email protected]) by the 

new deadline of January 10, 2019. 

For further information or queries, please contact Stephen Lofts ([email protected]) and/or Antonio 

Calcagno ([email protected])