Call for abstracts
Reference, Conceptual Change, and Free Will
August 9-11, 2013
University of San Francisco
Organizer: Manuel Vargas
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Keynote Speaker:
Shaun Nichols (Arizona) "Free Will and Error"
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Deadline for abstracts: April 15, 2013.
Decisions announced by May 15, 2013.
The aim of this conference* is to assemble a small group of philosophers to discuss in-progress work on issues connected to reference and/or conceptual change as it pertains to free will and moral responsibility. (A 'conference*' is something very much like a conference, but not necessarily corresponding to all the significant or even the essential features of widespread conceptions of a conference.) The aspiration is to have a small, workshopy event.
Potential topics could include, for example: whether one's theory of reference makes a difference to how one thinks about free will and moral responsibility; whether the meaning of free will or responsibility has changed; what constraints determine whether we should accept an error theory of free will; whether cross-cultural or other empirical data suggest that free will or moral responsibility are conceptually fragmented or significantly variegated across societies and times; whether philosophical on free will and moral responsibility should largely preserve folk notions and/or the extent to which they can depart from such notions; how we might settle disputes about what is conceptually essential or not for free will, and so on.
Anticipated length of papers should be either 20 minutes or 45 minutes. Proposals from early career faculty are especially encouraged. However, philosophers of all career stages, including (advanced) graduate students and not-early-career professors are encouraged to participate.
Abstracts should be sent to <mrvargas@usfca.edu> with the subject line indicating "USF FW Event" and either "20 minute" or "45 minute" (as applicable). Abstracts should be roughly 200-500 words.
Seating will be limited, so if you are interested in attending but not presenting, please contact the organizer in advance.
Manuel, what length abstracts do you want?
Posted by: Randolph Clarke | 03/18/2013 at 09:36 AM
I'm thinking 200-500 words. I'll update the post. Thanks.
Posted by: Manuel "Concrete, Not Abstract" Vargas | 03/18/2013 at 09:40 AM
Manuel, I'm out of exotic matter to fuel my time machine! (Sorry, couldn't resist!)
Man I would love to attend. . .
Posted by: Alan "Wiseacre" White | 03/18/2013 at 10:45 AM
Contrary to what many maintain, one can change the past—it just requires TypePad. So, don't worry about exotic matter—the past is now the future.
Thanks for the heads up, Alan.
This comment thread is going to look really weird for anyone who only sees the updated announcement.
Posted by: Manuel "One can't read the same post twice" Vargas | 03/18/2013 at 11:05 AM