CFP: International Society for Environmental Ethics 18th Annual Summer Meeting

CALL FOR PAPERS for the International Society for Environmental Ethics 18th Annual Summer Meeting, on questions of

Space, Relations, and Populations

The 18th annual summer meeting of the International Society for Environmental Ethics will convene from Wednesday 30th June to Saturday 3rd July 2021, at Seili island, Finland, situated in Finnish Archipelago, in a historical 17th century leper-colony-turned-mental-asylum-turned-research-station.

This call for papers solicits 500-word proposals for presentations in any topic in environmental philosophy. However, special attention will be given to proposals for talks concerning issues related to the philosophical investigation of the intersection of environmental conditions of space, relations, and populations.

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Tim Hayward (Univ. Edinburgh)

Dr. Teea Kortetmäki (University of Jyväskylä)

The planet is becoming more and more populated with human beings, which reduces the space available to other species and displaces them from their traditional habitats. At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic seems to intersect with the way we occupy the space available – the expansion of human populations into previously wild places promises to only increase the threat of new pandemics. The corona virus is transmitted via shared social spaces, so we combat transmission by isolation and physical distancing. Are emergent and contested norms about “social distancing,” then, a new framework for coordinating collective action? Would some kind of “ecological distancing” be a logical next step? Questions about how we occupy space and our spatial relations to other beings, on an increasingly crowded planet, call for articulation and philosophical analysis.

We are exceeding the carrying capacity and limits of this planet in multiple and very tangible ways. There seems to be a need, then, for more space. How should we think about occupying the space available? Should we prioritize protection and restoration of habitats for the conservation of endangered species? Should the abundant human population be squeezed more tightly into urban spaces? Or should we learn to share the landscape with wild animals, domestic animals, ecosystems, and other humans? Won't this call for control of human population growth? Is space exploration and colonization ultimately the key to solving our environmental problems on this planet, or is it just a technological fantasy?

Possible topics include questions relating to biodiversity loss, environmental protection and conservation, population ethics, anthropocentric land use, space exploration and colonization, and pandemics. We encourage imaginative thinking about how questions about spatial relations could shed new light upon questions in environmental ethics and philosophy.

To accommodate discussion on population and space, the meeting is hosted in a place which itself is an intriguing combination of secluded, restricted human population and abundant, verdant nature. The nature of Turku Archipelago offers exotic experiences of achingly lush yet ascetic Finnish summer, while the nearby city of Turku offers cultural experiences all the way from 13th century to this day. In addition to the beautiful natural environment, Seili island has a dark yet interesting history of isolation as a former leper colony. The venue itself, located in the island, is an old 17th century hospital building and its utility buildings, now used by the researchers of University of Turku. These historical buildings will accommodate us for the meeting. Off-session, we can enjoy the Nordic and Finnish nature, culture and history of the area. To reach the island and back to mainland, we will share a two-hour ferry through the picturesque archipelago, departing from Turku city center. 

For more information about the venue, see https://www.visitseili.fi/en/accommodation/

Proposals prepared for blind review should be submitted via email to Mikko Puumala ([email protected]), no later than December 15th, 2020. Decisions will be announced by February 30th, 2021. Draft papers for pre-read by conference participants will be due May 31st, 2021.

Please note that while the meeting is planned to take place live, we are closely following the COVID-19 situation in Finland and other countries. We will put updates to ISEE website: https://enviroethics.org/