CFP: Cosmopolitanism and Global Justice in Practical Contexts

Call for Abstracts  (deadline 30 April, 2019)

Graduate Conference - “Cosmopolitanism and Global Justice in Practical Contexts”

When: 26-27 July 2019

Where: LMU Munich (hosted by the Munich Center for Ethics)

Keynotes: Laura Valentini (LSE) - via video conference Anca Gheaus (Pompeu Fabra University/LMU)

Cosmopolitanism seeks to expand the moral community of concern to include all human beings scattered around the globe—and not merely to those in closer interactive circles (e.g. family, friends, colleagues, compatriots, etc.) who traditionally benefit from our care. This expansion has clear implications for institutional agents but also for individual agents who endorse cosmopolitanism, e.g. in terms of the ‘locations’ where we might seek to do good for others. For instance, a commitment to cosmopolitanism may create tensions, inter alia, because of an individuals’ limited ability and resources to combat global injustices or because of a perceived conflict between cosmopolitan duties and special obligations.

The graduate conference “Cosmopolitanism and Global Justice in Practical Contexts” hosted by the Munich Center for Ethics (MKE) at LMU Munich seeks to explore the range and depth of implications that an endorsement of cosmopolitanism has for specific issues of global justice and to explore what cosmopolitanism can offer in the face of such challenges in the highly interconnected and globalised world we find ourselves in. To this end, we suggest to focus on four major thematic issues of global justice: (1) Global (Citizenship) Education; (2) Climate Justice; (3) The Ethics of Immigration; and (4) The Ethics of Technology. In particular, we call for papers which exemplify applied philosophy within the practical context of these focal fields. As such, papers which highlight, explore, and attempt to address issues of practical concern for the modern cosmopolitan working on these issues are highly encouraged. More specifically still, two cross-cutting issues are of immediate concern to us:

• The tension between the cosmopolitan ideal and emerging neo-nationalistic sentiments as they apply in the above practical contexts;

• The relationship between cosmopolitan duties of justice and the development of cosmopolitan ethos as adequate or necessary responses to the practical contexts—or as motivating such action.

We invite and encourage all papers by PhD researchers working in philosophy, political theory or related fields. However, those which have a practical, applied, and normative focus will be prioritised, and those exploring the two specific concerns above will be prioritised further still. We particularly encourage applications from researchers of underrepresented groups.

The workshop aims to be pre-read and closed to presenters only. Presenters will give talks of 20 minutes (max.) to introduce their papers.

Please send long abstracts of 500-1000 words (max.) to [email protected] by 30 April 2019 together with your respective affiliations. Accepted papers will be notified by 15 May 2019. Confirmed presenters will be required to share their completed papers to be distributed to the other presenters by 5 July 2019. Depending on interest, we envision a publication resulting from the workshop. As such, please leave a brief comment upon submitting your abstract as to whether you would be interested in participating.

Travel and accommodation expenses for presenters coming from Europe can be reimbursed, if not covered by your affiliated institution. 

We look forward to receiving your proposals.

Best wishes,

Jason Branford, Federica Merenda, Alexander Schulan, and Christos Simis