CFP: Call for Papers: The Philosophy and Theology of Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (1781-1832)

CALL FOR PAPERS 

European Journal for Philosophy of Religion (EJPR)

Special Issue on:

The Philosophy and Theology of Karl Christian Friedrich Krause

GUEST EDITORS:

Benedikt Paul Göcke (Ruhr-Universität Bochum), Claus Dierksmeier (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen ), Ricardo Burgos (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)

DESCRIPTION:

Up to date many Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin-American philosophers esteem Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (1781-1832) as the progenitor of a socially progressive cosmopolitanism with important lessons for today. Expanding and combining the Kantian project of a self-critical philosophy of freedom and a Spinozistic monistic metaphysics, Krause arrived at an inclusive and liberal panentheistic system of philosophy, which not only combines classical theism and pantheism, but, due to the divinity of the whole of reality, is directed to any and all persons. From this angle, Krause already considers – at the outset of the 19th century – issues such as the legal representation of unborn children, minors, the disabled, disenfranchised peoples, and future generations. Moreover, based on his panentheism, Krause argued also for applying the concept of personhood and certain concomitant rights to animals. Last, not least, concerning plants and inorganic matter, Krause advocated for policies of ecological sustainability that were to safeguard an intact environment not only for present but also for future generations.  

Despite this impressive array of positions and apart from the acknowledged fact that Krause introduced the term “panentheism”, Krause’s philosophy and theology is met with neglect in the Anglophone world. But even in his homeland, Germany, his philosophy is often set aside, although to both Immanuel Hermann Fichte and Nicolai Hartmann it was evident that Krause’s work belonged to the highlights of classical German philosophy. Since Krause, who directly influenced Arthur Schopenhauer and developed a Begriffsschrift long before Gottlob Frege did (and one very similar to it), is still understudied in the German and English speaking world, this special issue aims to reengage with his thinking through systematic and historic reflections on the validity and genesis of the philosophy and theology of Karl Christian Friedrich Krause.

SUBMISSION:

We invite the submission of papers focusing on Krause’s philosophy of religion and systematic theology but not restricted to topics such as:

-        Panentheism: Krause developed the first explicitly panentheistic system of philosophy based on transcendental reflection.

-        Krause and Classical German Philosophy: Krause provided insightful critiques of the theological works of Schelling, Fichte, Hegel, Jacobi, Schleiermacher etc..

-        Interreligious Thinking: Krause mediates between agnostic/atheistic schools of thought and theistic/pantheistic world views with his own panentheistic metaphysics. 

-        Transculturality: Krause's philosophy is based on intercultural and religious studies (e.g. on the wisdom traditions and religious writings of India and China) and migrated from Germany to the Iberophone world, where it shaped constitutional law, economic policy and social systems from about 1860 until today, especially in Argentina and Uruguay.

-        Cosmopolitanism: Based on his theological panentheism, Krause advocated a theory of world citizenship rights, which he concretized formally (through model constitutions for a European Union and a League of Nations) as well as materially (compensation for colonial injustice and common ownership of the earth, etc.). 

-        Methodological Innovation: Krause advocated a "constructive" combination of descriptive and normative methods in science, and in philosophy of religion in particular. His approach is also participative-dialogical and integrative towards marginalized interests. 

-        Theology and Ethics of Diversity: Methodological inclusion led to substantial inclusiveness. As early as 1803, Krause fought for the rights of women and children, of unborn life, of senile persons and people with disabilities, of future generations and, not least, for animal rights.

PRELIMINARY TIMETABLE:

Deadline for submission:                                              April 30, 2021

Deadline for paper reviews:                                          June 30, 2021

Deadline for submission of revised papers:                    August 30, 2021

Notice of acceptance/rejection:                                    November 30, 2021

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

All papers will be subject to double-blind peer-review, following international standard practices. Manuscripts should be submitted exclusively through EJPR’s online submission system in the category “articles”. Articles must be in English with a maximum word count of 8.000, including title, abstract and references. The author must then select the special article type: "Karl Christian Friedrich Krause” from the selection provided in the submission process. This is needed in order to assign the submissions to the Guest Editors. All relevant information regarding the registration and submission process and the author guidelines are to be found here: https://philosophy-of-religion.eu/  

For any further information please contact: Benedikt Paul Göcke ([email protected])