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Call for Papers "The First Freedoms: Mihajlov's Quest for Democracy and Human Rights" Interdisciplinary Symposium Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Pasadena, CA (USA) 4-7 August 2011 __________________________________________________ All friends, colleagues, students, and admirers of Mihajlo Mihajlov (1934-2010) are cordially invited to participate in a re-assessment of his life, work, and legacy whose significance reaches well beyond Tito's Yugoslavia, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe. Mihajlov's quest for democracy and human rights is an inspiration for all who strive for an open society, pluralism, and tolerance. An indefatigable human rights champion, Mihajlov's example contributed to the rise of dissent, civic culture, and civil society which ushered in momentous changes culminating in the peaceful revolution in Eastern Europe and the demise of Soviet rule. Mihajlov's first freedoms - speech, thought, press, assembly, association, philosophical, political and religious persuasion - remain a continuing challenge, East and West, North and South. Curiously, Mihajlov's thought offers a conceptual bridge between Westernizers and Slavophiles, while his universalism helped him befriend dissidents of all ethnic groups. Indeed, Mihajlov's was a universal message of individual freedom and social justice. His undogmatic spirituality and central conception of human dignity drew on Russian religious philosophy. The question arises: Can the quest for global democracy and basic human rights and freedoms be realized in a world of competing socio-economic, political, and ethno-national interests and ideologies? Can equality be reconciled with liberty? And, can science and technology be harnessed to serve, rather than enslave, humanity? FIRST FREEDOMS interdisciplinary theme endeavors to bring together scholars from a wide range of disciplines and denominations. We invite all colleagues for an exciting conference which takes both scholarship and faith seriously. Participants are encouraged to attend the entire conference to enhance dialogue, synergy, and synthesis, as well as fellowship. Presenting a paper is not a prerequisite for participation. Indicate if you prefer to serve as discussant. Family members enjoy the reduced student registration rate. Abstracts (250 words), including Title, First & Last Name, faculty or student, mailing address, phone & e-mail, send to Dr. O. Gruenwald, JIS Editor. Fully-developed papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies XXIV, 2012. Contact: Dr. O. Gruenwald, Editor Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 1065 Pine Bluff Dr. Pasadena, CA 91107 USA Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.jis3.org/symposium2011.htm __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
