Call for Applications

Working Seminar on Philosophy as Transformative Practice

October 20-22, 2005

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina

The Philosophy Department of Elon University invites applications for an exploratory seminar on Philosophy as Transformative Practice. In intensely focused work over several days, we propose to explore philosophy as a form of normative and imaginative engagement that is deeply transformative of both its practitioners and their worlds. Academic philosophers and those beyond the academy are equally invited to apply, as well as philosophically- and creatively-inclined individuals and representatives of organizations across many fields.

Some of the questions we hope to address are:

How can the philosophy classroom radically open out to larger social and natural worlds, so that we are not merely applying theory to current problems but engaging our learning communities in ways that present and model philosophy as a way of life? Considerations here could range from the dramatic possibilities of the usual classrooms to ways to radically rethink and remake “service learning.” For that matter, how would a philosophy curriculum look that never took place in classrooms at all? Do we need a new philosophy of education?

Can we imagine philosophy not merely as a set of skills or a body of disciplinary knowledge (vital as both may be), but as a form of practice that seeks to ameliorate “miserablism,” ignorance, unsustainable lifestyles, and injustice of all sorts? How could philosophy transform (not merely advise or fine-tune) professional practice, like law or farming or business or politics? Are we called to distinctive forms of philosophical practice in the face of our continuing crisis in relation to the encompassing natural world and the new larger-than-human worldviews now on the horizon? Most generally, what are some as of yet unheard-of projects that philosophers might attempt – projects that would play to our strengths and be profoundly transformative of the culture?

The seminar will take place in group-discussion and workshop formats, with 15-20 participants total. Ongoing Elon philosophy classes and community work will serve as “laboratory” settings. Interested persons are invited to submit a variety of materials that would be helpful for other participants to read or examine in advance. A cover letter should accompany and explain the submission. Submitted materials could include syllabi; narrative or other descriptions of existing or possible forms of practice; films or other artistic products; and even standard philosophical or pedagogical papers. Discussions and workshops will be arranged thematically, and will consist of (at most) only a brief presentation by authors, to be followed by an extended discussion by all participants, and applications and experiments wherever feasible.

Proposals should be mailed to Philosophy Department, Campus Box 2316, Elon University, Elon, NC 27244, and must be postmarked by March 1, 2005. Notification of acceptance should be within six weeks. A small stipend may be offered to assist with travel costs.

Department of Philosophy, Elon University

Nim Batchelor (batchelo@elon.edu)

Ann Cahill (cahilla@elon.edu), conference coordinator

Martin Fowler (fowler@elon.edu)

Yoram Lubling (lubling@elon.edu)

John Sullivan (sullivan@elon.edu)

Anthony Weston (weston@elon.edu), department chair

More information is available on our website at www.elon.edu/philosophy.