3rd Annual Conference of the Centre for Phenomenology in South Africa: Identity and Difference

3rd Annual Conference of the Centre for Phenomenology in South Africa

2nd CFP: Identity and Difference

27-29 March 2015
University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Organized by Rafael Winkler, Abraham Olivier, Rianna Oelofsen

Keynotes:
Miguel de Beistegui (University of Warwick)
Babette Babich (Fordham University)
Identity and difference raise a host of philosophical questions ranging from metaphysical problems concerning the nature of multiplicity, alterity, personal identity and subjectivity to ethical and political issues such as inclusiveness, diversity, solidarity and resistance. Since the second half of the 20th century these notions have enjoyed special attention as the vast literature on the metaphysics, ethics and politics of identity and difference testifies. This includes a wide array of works by continental philosophers (Deleuze, Lyotard, Heidegger, Levinas), analytical philosophers of mind (Parfit, Shoemaker, Dennett, Searle) as well as moral and political philosophers (Taylor, Rawls). The significance of place and time for the constitution of personal and political identities and differences has also been receiving considerable attention recently, opening up philosophical debates in literature, art, architecture, anthropology and geography.
This conference aims to offer an open forum for reflection on the rich discussion on identity and difference and invites contributions from all traditions of philosophy and other related disciplines, and is not limited to the reception of this theme in the phenomenological tradition.
The topics of the conference include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identity and difference in metaphysics/phenomenology/philosophy of mind/ political philosophy/ethics
• The meaning or experience of identity and difference
• Selfhood, personhood, autonomy, alterity
• The nature of and relationship between subjectivity and political collectivity
• The relations between personal identity, time, memory, space and place
• The formation of cultural identities and global change
• Identity politics and the politics of difference
• Aristotle, Locke, Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, Deleuze, Lyotard, Derrida, Levinas, Wittgenstein, Parfit, Dennett, Searle, Shoemaker, Taylor, Rawls, Fanon, Appiah on the notions of identity and difference
Submission:

Please provide a 700 word abstract for blind review and send it to ujphenomenology@gmail.com. The full paper should be no more than 3.500-4.000 words (the conference format allows for a 35-40 min. presentation followed by a 10-15 min. discussion). Proposals for panel discussions are also welcome.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is the 31st of January 2015. Notification of acceptance will be sent latest by the 21st of February 2015.

Conference fees:

The fee for the full three-day conference (including teas and lunches) for participants is R1026 (including VAT) (R342 per day for persons wishing to attend only one or two days). It is free of charge for all participating graduate and PhD students.

Bursaries:

A limited number of bursaries will be available for travel and accommodation.

Accommodation:

The organisers recommend that conference participants stay at Plumpudding Guesthouse (http://www.plumpudding.co.za/) or The View (http://www.theviewhotel.co.za/), which are within walking distance from the UJ Auckland Park Campus. The current rate at Plumpudding Guesthouse is R650 per night inclusive of breakfast.

For more information about the conference, visit the website of the Centre for Phenomenology in South Africa: http://saphenomenology.wordpress.com/. Alternatively, please contact Rafael Winkler (rwinkler@uj.ac.za), Abraham Olivier (aolivier@ufh.ac.za), or Marianna Oelofsen (moelofsen@ufh.ac.za).