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Call for Papers "Human Nature and Diversity in the History of Political Thought" Graduate Conference University of London London (United Kingdom) 9-10 May 2011 __________________________________________________ The phenomenon of human diversity has long been a potent issue in the history of political thought. Diversities of race, religion, morality, gender, sexuality, cultural customs and so on have posed, and continue to pose, vitally important questions regarding how humans govern themselves and each other. Such questions are often in tension with debates about what constitutes ‘human nature’, or indeed if there is such a thing as human nature. The 2011 conference will aim to address some of the following themes: - Universalism and relativism - Historical moments of encounter - Conflict and resolution - Governing diversity and self-government - Theories of natural law and humanism - Scientific theories of human nature and diversity - Colonialism and post-colonialism - Diversity and territory - Assimilation and homogeneity - Globalization, localization and the nation state - Religion, secularization and spirituality - Toleration, freedom of speech and the public sphere - Citizenship, participation and inclusion The goal of this year’s conference is to establish a dialogue between the different approaches to this subject and to create a space for a constructive discussion of ideas about human nature and diversity. We are now inviting proposals from graduates working in the history of political thought, political theory, philosophy, literary studies, anthropology, classics and other related fields. Authors will be encouraged to address the themes listed above, but we also invite submissions on other topics that explore the development of, and interaction between, the ideas of human nature and diversity. Participants in the conference will also have the opportunity to be included in our online, peer-edited publication: the Journal of Intellectual History and Political Thought. More information will follow upon acceptance to the conference. For those unable to attend, we encourage submission of review articles (between 500 and 1000 words) to the journal for publication. Please email proposal of max. 300 words for papers of 25-30 minutes with a CV to: [email protected] Deadline for proposals: 31 January 2011 Contact: Lorenzo Sabbadini Arts Building Queen Mary University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS United Kingdom Email: [email protected] Web: http://histroyofpoliticalthought.squarespace.com __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
