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Call for Papers Theme: Progress? Progrès? Fortschritt? Type: 20th International Philosophy Colloquium Institution: Institute of Philosophy, Free University of Berlin Department of Philosophy, University of Amsterdam Location: Évian-les-Bains (France) Date: 13.–19.7.2014 Deadline: 15.4.2014 __________________________________________________ The idea that there is historical, philosophical, and moral progress was already present in antiquity and became widespread at the latest in the age of Enlightenment. At the same time the critique of the idea of a purposive and linear development from what is bad or deficient to something better in accordance with a definite logic or grand plan has never fallen silent. The catastrophes of the 20th century have not been the only events that cast doubt on whether progress and regression can be so easily separated. This doubt has also raised the suspicion that the idea of progress itself has served as an ideological category that must be rejected in the name of openness and plurality. But what would be the cost of such a rejection? From Condorcet through Smith to Kant, historical and moral progress has been understood not only as possible but necessary; in the 19th century, Hegel and Marx further developed the idea of progress in prominent ways as a category of the philosophy of history and social theory. By contrast, beginning with Rousseau through Benjamin and Adorno to Foucault, and then with the feminist and postcolonialist approaches in their wake (Spivak, Said, Butler), skeptics have not only questioned the possibility of progress but also cast doubt on the very idea of progress itself: What are the universal and non-arbitrary standards or criteria to which this idea of progress can appeal as support? Doesn’t this idea rather universalize a particular pattern of cultural development that fails to hold as universal? And who possesses the epistemological and practical authority to make such judgments? On the other hand, these critics have always been asked the question of whether they themselves, by criticizing the very idea of progress, (must) unwittingly retain and make use of that very idea, hence of whether they only define this idea differently rather than reject it outright. Thus, one can consider whether a discontinuity-model of progress often unfolds against (and thus implicitly in relation to) a continuity-model of progress. Such questions are also relevant with regard to science in general and philosophy in particular. For instance, a central debate in the philosophy of science in the 20th century, from Kuhn and Popper through Feyerabend to Harding, Daston, and Latour, concerns the possibility and reality of progress in the sciences. Moreover, since Kant is neither the first nor the last philosopher to describe all metaphysics before him as an “unbounded ocean” in which no real progress has ever left any traces, philosophy has always been confronted with the question concerning the possibility of its own progress: What does the idea that there is or can be such progress presuppose? More specifically, does it presuppose: a set of eternal philosophical problems on which philosophers since Plato have worked to solve; a (more) precise definition of the tasks of philosophy; or a (closer) approximation of philosophical methods to scientific ones, as this has been advocated by the logical positivists at the beginning of the emergence of analytic philosophy or by the movement of experimental philosophy today? Philosophers of divergent traditions and literatures from Peirce and Dewey through Rorty and Deleuze to Habermas and Chalmers have contributed to this debate, which we would like to take up and continue further in this year’s colloquium. In this spirit, the organizers of the 20th International Philosophy Colloquium Evian invite all interested philosophers to the shores of Lake Geneva to discuss the definition, problems, and possible relevance of the idea of progress. We appeal to all philosophers who are interested in participating in intensive discussions about this topic in a way that transcends the narrow boundaries of different philosophical movements or schools of thought. These discussions at the Colloquium are conceived as a place where the supposed divide between “continental” and “analytic” philosophy is overcome, or at least as a site where the differences between these philosophical traditions can be rendered productive. Passive comprehension of all three languages of the colloquium, namely French, German, and English, is a prerequisite for all applicants. Submissions We invite you to submit proposals for talks at the colloquium. Please send a one-page abstract and a short CV to the following e-mail address: [email protected] The final deadline is April 15, 2014. Talks may be presented in German, English or French and are limited to 25-30 minutes. They should aim to facilitate discussion by arguing for distinctive theses while being as brief and clear as possible. The scheduling of sessions will depend on the talks and presentations that are selected. There are no prearranged sections. Practica Participants: The International Philosophy Colloquia Evian address themselves to philosophers who are interested in having multilingual discussions (in French, English, and German) across and beyond the bounds of philosophical schools and traditions. Participants in the Colloquium may give talks and/or take part in the discussion without contributing work of their own in the strict sense. Aims: The Colloquium seeks an atmosphere of intensive philosophical discussion. To this end the number of participants will be restricted to approximately 25, and the schedule of sessions will entail short paper-reading times and lengthy discussion periods. In this way a maximal amount of time will be set aside for philosophical discussion. All participants take part in the Colloquium during the whole week. As a general rule, it is not possible to restrict your attendance to selected days of the Colloquium. Languages: The languages of the Colloquium are German, English and French. Passive mastery of the three languages of the Colloquium (French, German, and English), at least sufficient so as to follow presentations and discussions in each of them, is indispensable and a necessary condition of participation! In discussions, participants are encouraged to speak whatever of the three language they feel most at home in all the time, regardless of the language of the talk that is being discussed. Thus, the discussions of the colloquium will potentially always be conducted in three languages at once. A passive understanding of all three languages is therefore required in order to participate. Participants do not have to be able to express themselves philosophically in all three languages, but must be able to understand questions and comments addressed to them regardless of which of the three languages these are being phrased in. To facilitate understanding, all the papers presented will be provided in written form (each in its original language). Talks: Talks may be presented in German, English or French and are limited to 25-30 minutes. They should aim to facilitate discussion by arguing for distinctive theses while being as brief and clear as possible. The scheduling of sessions will depend on the talks and presentations that are selected. There are no prearranged sections. Accommodation: The villa "La Sapinière" in Evian-les-bains, classified as a historic monument, lies in the midst of a large private park with a huge stand of old trees, directly on the southern banks of Lake Geneva. It was built in the last years of the 19th century by an Italian banker. Today, the building is owned by the French charity ADAPT, who runs the Centre Jean Foa on its premises. The colloquium takes place in this villa, which has a splendid view of the lake. Participants are housed on the premises of the Centre Jean Foa. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the villa as well. Course: Each morning meeting consists of a panel of two to three papers. Papers last 25-30 minutes each. The focus for the morning meetings is on discussion, for which approximately 45 minutes per paper is planned. After an extended lunch break, afternoon meetings consist either of another section with two papers or of a summarizing discussion. One afternoon of the week is free. Costs: Participants will be charged 360 € (Euro) for a double room and 490 € (Euro) for a single room. This fee covers meals and accommodation for the duration of the colloquium. In some cases of special need, individual arrangements can be made. Organisation: Georg W. Bertram (Berlin), Robin Celikates (Amsterdam), David Lauer (Berlin). In cooperation with: Alessandro Bertinetto (Udine), Karen Feldman (Berkeley), Jo-Jo Koo (Dickinson), Christophe Laudou (Madrid), Claire Pagès (Paris), Diane Perpich (Clemson), Hans Bernhard Schmid (Wien) Conference website: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~gbertram/ Contact: Georg W. Bertram Institut für Philosophie Freie Universität Berlin Habelschwerdter Allee 30 D-14195 Berlin Germany Tel: +49 30 838-54083 Fax: +49 30 838-52736 / Email: [email protected] Web: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/~gbertram/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
