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The American
Catholic Philosophical
Association
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CALL FOR PAPERS
CATHOLIC STUDIES
CONFERENCE
In Search of the
Good in the World:
Scholarly
Perspectives in Conversation
St. Thomas More
College
Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada
March 11 –
12, 2011
This conference will bring together faculty and students from various disciplines within the field of Catholic Studies, as well as directors of Catholic Studies programs. The two-day conference will feature one session on the current state of Catholic Studies programs, especially in Canadian universities, and four sessions on the theme of the conference; the concept of the "good"; and its pursuit in the world. In particular, we are seeking papers that advance thinking in the following areas:
Economics and the
Good
The recent economic crisis in the developed nations has raised the question of the divide between economics and ethics. Mainstream economics has focused on optimizing the objectives of self-interested individuals either by ignoring social values such as justice and fairness, or approaching them as the side products of individual processes. Religion, on the other hand, has long focused on both individual and social values as a means to a prosperous society. Can religion and faith contribute to the search for answers on how to achieve social values without sacrificing economic efficiency? Can religious teachings on social values be integrated into economic theories on efficiency and growth? Are there ethical solutions to our current economic problems such as globalization, pollution, poverty, and debt?
Philosophy and the
Good
Recent work in moral philosophy has much to say about the nature of the good and how it is grasped. In the Catholic tradition, philosophy has the prior task of identifying the good through the use of reason in such a way that it can harmonize with revelation. What resources can Catholic philosophy contribute today to our understanding and conception of the good? What in contemporary philosophical accounts must be considered erroneous and/or deficient both from the standpoint of reason and in terms of its compatibility with revelation?
Politics and the
Good
The study of the good has been a mainstay of political theory since Plato's Republic posed the fundamental question: what is the good society? In early 21st century political science, the concept of the good takes on a more expansive definition and is even extended beyond the realm of political theory. Political scientists dealing with public policy, political parties, the law, and institutions grapple with how the good is embedded (or absent) in contemporary politics. As such, it is an opportune time to reflect on what Catholic values and the Catholic intellectual tradition have to offer current theoretical and practical debates in political science. Papers on other topics related to Catholic Studies are also welcome.
Sessions
There will be a session devoted to each of the above thematic areas. There will be an additional session that will feature up to three (3) student (graduate or undergraduate) paper presentations. All presenters will be limited to twenty (20) minutes per presentation.
Submission criteria
Those interested in presenting a paper should send a proposal of up to 300 words that clearly outlines the treatment of the proposed topic and its relation to the conference theme. All submissions must include the following: name, title, affiliation, address, and email address, and a one paragraph biography including recent publications and research interests. Students should indicate their status. Only one proposal per person may be considered. Papers that contain previously published materials should be identified as such.
Deadline
The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 22, 2010. All proposals will be reviewed by the conference program committee. Notification of acceptance will be sent by Friday, November 12, 2010. Proposals should be submitted electronically in an easily accessible form to: ctstconference@stmcollege.ca. Inquiries about the conference should be addressed to Dr. Carl Still, Dean, at cstill@stmcollege.ca.
Conference Sponsors
The conference is sponsored by St. Thomas More College, with additional support from the University of Saskatchewan through its Conference Fund. St. Thomas More is a Catholic liberal arts college, sponsored by the Basilian Fathers and federated with the University of Saskatchewan. St. Thomas More College is located at 1437 College Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0W6, Canada.
Page Last Modified 08/18/10 by Site Administrator