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Call for Papers Theme: Religious Wisdom and Perennial Philosophy Subtitle: East and West Type: International Symposium Institution: Canadian Jacques Maritain Association University of Waterloo Wifrid Laurier University Location: Waterloo, ON (Canada) Date: 30.–31.5.2012 Deadline: 15.12.2011 __________________________________________________ Religious Wisdom and Perennial Philosophy: East and West International Symposium sponsored by Canadian Jacques Maritain Association in association with the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities What is the relationship between religion and philosophy in the different traditions of the East and West? This conference aims to explore the mutual influence that religion and philosophy exert on one another throughout the globe. The classical notion of a perennial philosophy (philosophia perennis) suggests that the impetus and form of philosophical reflection is an abiding characteristic of the human spirit, stretching over time from antiquity to the present. On this view, human beings naturally aspire to seek rational understanding of the universe and of the problems of life. Moreover, religious traditions have tended to serve a similar function by proposing explanations and doctrines of the deepest mysteries of life. This view also holds that the religious impulse, in its pursuit of wisdom and transcendence, is an innate feature of human nature. In this sense, then, both philosophy and religion originate from common sources and share common goals. It is unmistakable that the Judaeo-Christian religious traditions have put an indelible stamp on Western civilizations in general and on the nature and purpose of philosophical thought in particular. However, other religious traditions in different parts of the world manifest similar patterns of influence on philosophical activity. Whether it be Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, or Islam, the religious traditions that dominate in ‘the East’ have also coexisted with rich philosophical traditions that continue to this day. Modernity has been marked by the advance of secularization and a rupture in the cooperation between religion and philosophy, faith and reason. Many today regard these two expressions of the human spirit as antagonistic with each other, rather than as complementary. It is an open question, then, whether philosophy has anything still to learn from religion and whether religion can be inspired by the kind of philosophy which is practised today. This conference invites papers which explore the multifaceted relationships which exist between religion and philosophy in both the East and West. Some topics which fit into the overall theme of the conference include the following: the spiritual dimension of human nature; the quest for transcendence; the meaning of life; the role of the divine in culture; the nature of wisdom in different religious and philosophical traditions; how religion and philosophy influence each other; the impact of secularization; the notion of truth; and the foundations of ethics. The programme committee invites papers, in English or French, that focus on the conference theme. Those who wish to submit a paper should contact the organisers immediately for further details or send an abstract or proposal (of no more than two pages) to Dr Nikolaj Zunic. Deadline for the submission of proposals: December 15, 2011 Papers must not exceed 30 minutes reading time. Contact: Dr Nikolaj Zunic Department of Philosophy St. Jerome's University 290 Westmount Road North Waterloo, ON N2L 3G3 Canada Email: [email protected] __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
