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Call for Papers Theme: Chinese Philosophy and the Way of Living Type: 18th International Conference Institution: International Society for Chinese Philosophy (ISCP) State University of New York at Buffalo Location: Buffalo, NY (USA) Date: 21.–24.7.2013 Deadline: 30.11.2012 __________________________________________________ One major characteristic of Chinese philosophical tradition is that it is not just a matter of theoretical pursuit, but is more a practical enterprise. Philosophy is thought to be a “Learning of Living”, and doing philosophy is to practice a way of life that one chooses and to cultivate and transform character. The central question of Chinese philosophy is “what is the Dao?” and dao (literally, road or way) is the way in which human beings should lead their lives. This conception of philosophy differs from the prevailing modern university conception of philosophy, according to which philosophy is mainly a theoretical discipline and philosophical reflection is peripheral to life. The conception of philosophy is worth studying, keeping alive, and reviving as an alternative way of doing philosophy. It is similar to the idea that philosophy is the “art of living,” which was prominent in ancient Greek/Roman philosophy, especially in the spirit of Socrates. His motto that “the unexamined life is not worth living” clearly shows that what is examined is “life” rather than “knowledge” or “proposition.” The Jewish tradition is also characteristic of the idea that letter and spirit, idea and life, are inseparable. In the West this conception has been marginalized in modern times, but seems to have experienced a sort of renaissance, as can be seen in the works of (to name only a few) P. Hadot, A. Nehamas, M. Nussbaum, and others. The Buffalo conference is to explore in details and in depth Chinese conception of philosophy as a learning of living. It seeks not only to deepen our understanding of the nature of Chinese philosophy, but also, through a cross-cultural comparative approach, to enrich the conception of philosophy as a way of living and contribute its revival in contemporary philosophy. Sub-themes of the conference include but are not limited to: - Chinese philosophy as a learning of living - Philosophical discourses and philosophical practicality - Justifying a way of living: metaphysics, aesthetics, and rhetoric - Practical wisdom - Moral psychology - Formation of self, character, and virtue - Happiness, death and suicide - Politics and the way of living - Philosophical therapy and spiritual practice - The Art of Living: Chinese and Greek - The Art of living: Chinese and Jewish - Methodology of comparative study Submissions All scholars and students who are interested in Chinese philosophy and in the theme of the Conference are welcome to submit abstracts and/or symposium proposals. Abstract and proposals can be written either in English or Chinese. The paper abstract should be around 200-400 words (in English) and 300 characters (in Chinese). Panel proposals that fit into one of the sub-themes are encouraged and preferred. When you submit, please have a separate page indicating names, academic affiliations and email addresses. The body of the abstract and /or panel proposal should be without identity. All submitted abstracts and proposals will be blindly reviewed by the program committee. The paper should be about 8,000 words (in English) and 10, 000 characters (in Chinese). All the conference papers will be made available only to the participants on the conference website. The organizers intend to publish a volume that includes selected and revised conference papers. Deadline for submission of the abstracts and symposium proposals: November 30th, 2012. Communication of acceptance: January 15, 2013. Deadline for submission of full paper: May 30, 2013. Deadline for submitting the registration form: May 30, 2013 Please send to: [email protected] Contact: Jiyuan Yu, Ph.D Department of Philosophy State University of New York at Buffalo 135 Park Hall Buffalo, NY 14260 USA Phone: +1 716 645-0157 Email: [email protected] Web: http://iscp.philosophy.buffalo.edu/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
