MAP @ Bristol Conference: 'Postcolonial and Decolonial Reception of European Thought'

Philosophers recently have become aware that there is a risk that Eurocentric biases in philosophical tradition may distort the scholarship not only of the European philosophy itself, but also of the broad academic theoretical work in and beyond Europe. To correct these biases -- which have been critically denounced by the scholars from non-European continents -- the post-colonial scholarship has made an effort in deconstructing the European theoretical referents, as well as developing new theories. The aim of this conference is to offer an opportunity for the discussion of broad issues concerning the reconsideration of the classical western thought in the post-colonial era, that is, a revision of the dialogues and tensions among European and peripheral epistemologies. With this purpose, we plan to center the discussion in two focuses. On the one hand, the deconstruction of the global influence of the European classical and modern epistemologies during the past few centuries; and on the other hand, their present critical reception via a ‘non-Eurocentric’ or decolonial view. We hope that the conference will contribute to the good understanding of the post-colonial and decolonial standpoints. 

The questions that will be mainly addressed are as follows: To what extent does the post-colonial scholarship from different fields add to contemporary philosophy by offering new insights? How are the European classical and modern epistemologies received and understood by the different postcolonial/decolonial theoretical approaches? How is this criticism made? Or what are the basic ideas developed in this criticism?

The Conference will be located in room G16, Cotham House, University of Bristol. The Conference will be divided in four panels (two panels per day). Every panel will count on the participation of two PGR speakers (20 min talks), which will be followed by a general discussion. After a break, we will count on the presentation of two Keynote speakers (a 30 min talk), which will also be followed by a general discussion. 

1) Decolonising Classics, 6th June 10.00-13.30 hrs. 

(Here, we expect to receive abstracts regarding the Postcolonial/Decolonial reflection on the process of the reception of Classics in non-European contexts) 

Keynote speaker Dr. Mathura Umachandran, Department of Classics University of Oxford; Dr. Justine McConnell, Department of Comparative Literature King´s College. 

2) Decolonising movements in Africa and South Asia, 6th June 14.30-18.00 hrs. 

(Here, we would like to receive abstracts specifically focused on the intersection between African, South Asian and European thought) 

Keynote speaker Dr. Foluke Adebisi, School of Law University of Bristol; Dr. Su Lin Lewis, Department of History University of Bristol. 

3) Enlightenment revised, 7th June 10.00-13.30 hrs. 

(Here we expect to receive abstracts focused on the Postcolonial/Decolonial criticism to the Enlightenment; or on the contrary, abstracts focused on answering, what could the Enlightenment offer to Postcolonial/Decolonial contemporary studies?).

Keynote Speakers Professor Gregor McLennan, School of Social Sciences University of Bristol; and Dr. Tzu Chien Tho, Department of Philosophy University of Bristol. 

4) About Reparation, 7th June 14.30-18.00 hrs. 

(Here we wish to receive abstracts focused on ethical reflexions about reparation) 

Keynote speaker Joanna Burch-Brown, Department of Philosophy University of Bristol.

This conference is generously sponsored by the University of Bristol Philosophy Department, University of Bristol Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Bristol Alumni Grants, British Classical Association, Marc Sanders Foundation, and MAP.