Philosophy and Literature in Dialogue

Since its inception, philosophy has been closely intertwined with literary invention. The aphorisms of Heraclitus, Nietzsche and Cioran, the poems of Parmenides, Empedocles and Lucretius, the dialogues of Plato, a form adopted by Cicero and Augustine, by Renaissance Platonists like Cusanus, Patricius, and Abravanel, by philosophers of nature like Bruno, and modern thinkers like More, Berkeley, Hume, and Edith Stein, the use of symbols, analogies, thought experiments, and other “intuition pumps” by philosophers of all epochs – show how philosophy plumbs the resources of oral and written tradition to tackle the most pressing questions of human thought and existence. Ever and again philosophers reach for poetry and literary forms to create a vessel for speech on topics which transcend the boundaries of empirical investigation and rational discourse, just as poets, novelists, and storytellers seek by their art to illuminate, enlighten, and inspire. 

The annual conference of the Institute of Philosophy 2022 takes for its theme historical and theoretical aspects of the interrelationship and mutual entwinement of literature and philosophy, philosophy and literature. We invite papers on any topics related to this central theme. Sample topics might include: the differing role of truth and morality, knowledge and value in literature and philosophy, uses of literary forms and devices in philosophy, the embodiment of philosophical ideas in literature, roles of philosophy in the interpretation of literature.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is 1 May 2022. Accepted presenters will be notified by 1 June 2022. Abstracts should be between 250 and 300 words and include the author’s name, address, contact information, and institutional affiliation, if any. Please also include 5-7 keywords and a brief biographical note of up to three sentences. Abstracts and queries should be e-mailed to: [email protected]

The symposium is being planned as an in-person conference. Remote participation will be possible for those who wish to follow the live lectures. If circumstances require, contingency plans are in place to allow the conference to be moved online. 

Confirmed speakers:

Prof. em. Michael Erler, University of Würzburg, keynote speaker

Prof. em. Nadežda Čačinovič, University of Zagreb, invited speaker

Prof. Peter Lamarque, University of York, invited speaker

Prof. Violetta Waibel, University of Vienna, invited speaker