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Conference Announcement Theme: Morality, Politics and the Idea of Progress Type: International Conference Institution: University of Ghana Location: Accra (Ghana) Date: 15.–16.9.2016 __________________________________________________ A Conference held under the auspices of The Leverhulme Trust Research Network on ‘Domesticating Global Normative Theorizing: Modern African Political Thinking In The Global Context’ The idea of moral progress as a temporal and cumulative process that tracks scientific and technological advances forms part of the Enlightenment heritage in modern Western moral and political thought. It continues to inform developmental thinking about culturally different contexts. But is there such a thing as moral progress, and are material advancements necessarily indicative of it? Does thinking in terms of moral progress help or hinder moral understanding of culturally different context? Must we think in terms of the idea of progress and, if so, must we conceive the idea in historical, cumulative terms? Are contextually different articulations of the idea coherently possible? This conference explores the idea of moral progress and its role in our current moral and political thinking within and across culturally different social context. The conference forms part of a three year Leverhulme Trust funded project that seeks to foster exchanges between African and Western thinkers on issues of shared intellectual interest and concern. Programme Thursday, 15th September, 2016 9:30-9.45 Welcome Address Prof. Kofi Ackah, Hod, Department of Philosophy and Classics 9.45-10:00 Official Conference Opening Prof. Kodzo Gavua, Dean, School of Arts 10:00-11:15 Prof. Rainer Forst (University of Frankfurt) “The Idea of Progress” 11:15 – 11:45 Coffee Break 11:45 – 13:00 Dr. Simon Hope (University of Stirling) “What is it to Say that Humanity is Making Progress? The Case of Human Rights” 13:00 – 14:30 Lunch 14:30 – 15:45 Dr. Akosua Darkwah (University of Ghana) “Re/Envisioning a Progressive Ghanaian Society from an African Feminist Perspective” 15:45 – 16:15 Coffee Break 16:15 – 17:30 Prof. Anne Phillips (London School of Economics) “Modernity and Gender” 18.30 Dinner Friday, 16th September, 2016 9:30 – 10:45 Prof. Onora O’neill (University of Cambridge) “Rights and States” 10:45 - 11:15 Coffee Break 11:15 – 12:30 Prof. Mogobe Ramose (University of South Africa) “Moral Renaissance in African Leadership” 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 15:15 Prof. Thaddeus Metz (University of Johannesburg) “The Implication of African Values for Growth, Meta-Narrative, and Development.” 15:15 – 15:45 Coffee Break 15:45 – 17:00 Prof. Eghosa Osaghae (University of Ibadan/Igbenedion) “Progress in African Politics: Past, Present, Future” 17:00 – 18:30 Politics in Action Open Discussion with Esther Ofei Aboagye (Deputy-Director, National Development Planning Commission) Facilitators: Martin Ajei and Dr Caesar Atuire 19:00 Dinner Saturday, 17th September, 2016 Excursion to Cape Coast Former Slave Castle Venue: Conference Room Balme Library, University of Ghana For further information, contact Katrin Flikschuh (k.a.fliksc...@lse.ac.uk) and Martin Ajei (ajei...@hotmail.com). __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/interphil@list.polylog.org/ __________________________________________________
