CfP Feminist philosophy: Ethics
Orivesi, Finland, 24-31 July 2016
Abstract deadline: May 13th
Invited keynote speakers
Elizabeth Povinelli, Franz Boas Professor of Anthropology and Gender Studies at Columbia University, US.
Robert Pfaller, Professor of Philosophy and Cultural Theory at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz, Austria.
Following the inaugural symposium on feminism and the philosophy of time and history at Umeå University earlier this spring, the interdisciplinary network Feminist philosophy: Appropriation, transformation, collaboration invites scholars, students, artists, and activists to the Nordic Summer University session 2016 in Orivesi, Finland. The theme for this meeting will be feminist philosophy and ethics.
Ethics is one of the major themes in feminist philosophy; moreover, it is one of the sub disciplines in philosophy where women have made major contributions in the 20th century. Ethics has been the site of influential feminist critique of mainstream philosophy, for example through the invention of the ethics of care. There has also been a “turn to ethics” in several disciplines in the humanities, including feminist theory, where scholars have appropriated traditions such as psychoanalysis and phenomenology to articulate new concerns for feminism. What are the challenges in feminist discussions on ethics today? How can ethics transform feminist theory? What are the problems or possibilities related to the ethical turn? Papers may address, but are by no means limited to, the following subjects:
Ethics in the work of feminist philosophers and theorists
The turn to ethics in feminist theory
Ethics and politics or political theory
Ethics in the history of feminist philosophy
Ethics and history or time
Feminist ethics and art or artistic research
Feminist ethics and literature or film
Feminism and the ethics of care
Feminist ethics in medicine
Ethics in feminist research
Feminist ethics and the philosophy of education
Feminist theory and the problem of values
Ecocritical feminism
Feminist ethics in different intellectual traditions, i.g. psychoanalysis, phenomenology, poststructuralism, or Marxism
Feminist critique of major traditions in ethics i.g. virtue ethics, deontological ethics, or utilitarianism
We also accept papers that address questions of feminism and philosophy more broadly speaking.
The program in Orivesi will be built around the contributions of the participants. Each paper presentation will be allotted at least one hour, which allows for in depth analyses. The fact that we have a whole week at our disposal creates an intimate environment for learning and discussions between people from different countries, universities, disciplines and traditions. All participants are invited to organize workshops, film screenings or similar activities. In addition there will be text seminars on feminist ethics based on reading assignments announced in advance. Phd candidates receive 5 ECTS for the presentation of a paper and full participation during the week.
About the network
Feminist philosophy has the ambition to become an international interdisciplinary platform, primarily oriented towards the Nordic and Baltic countries, for inquiries in feminist philosophy. Our aim is to explore the borders, connections and tensions between feminism and philosophy in critical historical and contemporary perspectives. We want to create a forum where philosophy is scrutinized from a feminist perspective and yet be able to ask questions about what philosophy has to offer feminism. Interdisciplinary in scope, we welcome anyone with an interest in feminist philosophy, for example scholars from philosophy, the history of ideas, literary studies, gender studies, political science, sociology, and the arts. We are happy to include both scholars who focus on developing feminist philosophy as such, as well as those who study philosophy as an institution. We accept scholars working in all philosophical traditions. The network aims to transcend the hierarchies of academia and is open to senior scholars, phd-candidates, and master students. People of all genders are welcome.
Practical information
The summer session takes place in the town of Orivesi, close to Tampere, in southern Finland at Orivesi Folkhögskola 24-31 July 2016. It is organized together with the eight thematic study circles of the Nordic Summer University (see below). The total number of participants is expected to be between 100 and 120. Feminist philosophy will have its own separate program, but as a participant you will have the opportunity to visit and partake in the work of the other circles. There will also be a cultural program in the evenings and a chance to go on excursions in the surroundings of Orivesi. As there is a children’s circle during the academic work sessions, parents can bring their children with them.
The cost of participating in the summer session ranges from 320 € to 550 €, depending on what accommodation you choose. Full board is included in all prices. Further information about accommodation and prices, as well as the location, excursions and cultural program, is found on the website http://nordic.university
Participation
Anyone interested in presenting a paper or organizing a workshop is invited to submit an abstract of approximately 300 words and a short bio to no later than May 13th, 2016. If you wish to participate without presenting a paper, please write 50-100 words about yourself and submit by May 13th, 2016. Decisions will be communicated in the middle of May, together with further information on how to register. We might be able to accept late applications; contact us if deadline has passed.
About the Nordic Summer University
Founded in 1950, the Nordic Summer University is an independent, non-profit academic institution that fosters intellectual and cultural exchange between the Nordic and the Baltic countries. Committed to egalitarian and interdisciplinary modes of learning, the NSU is open for senior scholars, doctoral and master students as well as artists and professionals with relevant backgrounds. The NSU is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers. Read more about the Nordic Summer University on the website http://nordic.university
Coordinators
The coordinators of Feminist Philosophy are Synne Myreböe, Department of historical, philosophical and religious studies, Umeå University, Sweden, Valgerður Pálmadóttir, Department of historical, philosophical and religious studies at Umeå University, Sweden, and Johanna Sjöstedt, Department of literature, history of ideas and religious studies, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Contact the coordinators at feminist.philosophy.nsu at gmail.com and join our Facebook group Feminist philosophy (NSU).