Atlanta Philosophy Events

Friday, September 11, 2009

CALL FOR PAPERS
for the upcoming meeting of the
GEORGIA
PHILOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY
at
Georgia Perimeter College
Dunwoody Campus
Saturday,
November 14, 2009
Twenty minute reading time limit
Blind review
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
October 30, 2009
Graduate student submissions welcome
Send Papers to
Raymond Woller: rwoller@uga.edu

Monday, August 31, 2009

Georgia State

Colloquium Series

2009-2010 Department of Philosophy Colloquium Series

Visitors to the Department 2002-2009

Knowledge, Politics, and Commercialization: Science under the Pressure of Practice
Martin Carrier (Universität Bielefeld)
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Philosophy Department Conference Room
What Does It Mean When Scientists Say "Free Will Is an Illusion?"
Eddy Nahmias (Georgia State University)
Date: Friday, October 16, 2009
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Philosophy Department Conference Room directions
TBA
Christie Hartley (Georgia State University)
Date: Friday, January 29, 2010
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Philosophy Department Conference Room directions
TBA
Rüdiger Bittner (Universität Bielefeld)
Date: Friday, Feburary 26, 2010
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Philosophy Department Conference Room directions
TBA
Cora Diamond (University of Virginia)
Date: Friday, March 19, 2010
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Philosophy Department Conference Room directions
The Unity of Virtue
Elizabeth Kiss (Agnes Scott College)
Date: Friday, March 26, 2010
Time: 3:30 pm
Location: Philosophy Department Conference Room directions

Emory


Emory University Department of Philosophy

Department Colloquia 2009-2010

10 September "Is My Mind Mine? Neuroethics and the 'Mind-Reading' Paradox," Paul Wolpe, Associate Professor of Sociology in Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, 4:15 p.m., C290 Psychology Building
17 September “A Narrative Interpretation of Action,” Laszlo Tengelyi, Professor of Philosophy, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, 4:15 p.m., C280 Psychology Building
Co-sponsored by the Institute for the History of Philosophy
1 October "Political Animals," Geoffrey Bennington, Chair of Comparative Literature, and Asa G. Candler Professor of Modern French Thought, Emory University, 4:15 p.m., C290 Psychology Building
15 October "Kant and Hegel," Beatrice Longuenesse, Professor of Philosophy, New York University, 4:15 p.m., C290 Psychology Building
Co-sponsored by the Institute for the History of Philosophy
22 October "Americanism/Anti-Americanism and Afro-Caribbean Identity," Gertrude Gonzalez de Allen, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Spelman College, 4:15 p.m., C290 Psychology Building
5 November “At the Crossroads of Philosophy and Psychoanalysis: Thoughts on the Ethical Sublime,” Vanessa Parks Rumble, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Boston College, 4:15 p.m., C290 Psychology Building
Williams Edwards Undergraduate Lecture
12 November “French Nietzscheanism and the Emergence of Poststructuralism,” Alan Schrift, Chair and F. Wendell Miller Professor of Philosophy, Grinnell College, 4:15 p.m., C280 Psychology Building
Co-sponsored by the Institute for the History of Philosophy
11 February "Montaigne and the Origins of Modern Philosophy," Ann Hartle, Professor of Philosophy, Emory University, 4:15 p.m.
Co-sponsored by the Institute for the History of Philosophy
18 February
On Aristotle (title TBA), Ronna Burger, Chair and Professor of Philosophy, Tulane University, 4:15 p.m.
Co-sponsored by the Institute for the History of Philosophy
18 March
On Pragmatism (title TBA), Eddie S. Glaude Jr., William S. Tod Professor of Religion and African American Studies, Princeton University, 4:15 p.m.
Co-sponsored by the Institute for the History of Philosophy
1 April
TBA
8 April
TBA
15 April
TBA

Friday, August 28, 2009

I am pleased to report that Professor John Greco (http://www.slu.edu/x25195.xml
), Leonard and Elizabeth Eslick Chair in Philosophy at Saint Louis University, will deliver the Keynote Address at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Tennessee Philosophical Association on November 6, 2009 in Furman Hall on the campus of Vanderbilt University. Professor Greco's topic is "How to Think about Testimonial Knowledge."

I would also remind you that the deadline for submitting conference papers rapidly approaches. It's October 9, 2009. (For details, surf to http://www.tpaweb.org/callforpapers.html).

I look forward to seeing you all in Nashville.

Charles

Charles E. Cardwell, PhD
Secretary: Tennessee Philosophical Association (www.TPAWeb.org)
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator: Philosophy
Pellissippi State Community College
POB 22990, Knoxville, TN 37933-0990
(865) 539-7052
cecardwell@pstcc.edu cecardwell@pstcc.edu>

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Agnes Scott College Ethics Program Lecture Series

Topic for 2009-2010: Extraterrestrial Ethics

Lara Denis, Director ldenis@agnesscott.edu x5364

This is a four-part series, inspired by the International Year of Astronomy and Project Galileo.

Fall Semester:

I

Title: “Values and Ethics in Space” -- Agnes Scott College McNair Ethics Lecture

Speaker: Holmes Rolston III (Philosopher -- Colorado State University)

Date: Thursday, September 17, 2009

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Rebekah Hall, Woltz Room

How earthbound are values and ethics? Values are pervasive on a wonderland Earth, but is there anything of value in space? Out there are only whirls of flaming gas, raw energy, rotating and revolving chunks of brute matter. But non-Earth places are not without intrinsic value. Only arrogant Earthlings will disvalue the creative projective nature out of which they have come. We live in an inventive universe. Astronauts ought to respect the new worlds they visit. Can we expect to share some of our science and ethics with extra-terrestrials? Perhaps in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, the question to ask is not about the value of pi, or the atomic number of carbon. A more revealing test might be to ask whether one should tell the truth, keep promises, or be just. The Golden Rule may be as universally true as is the theory of relativity.

Holmes Rolston III is University Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Colorado State University. His publications include Genes, Genesis and God; Science and Religion: A Critical Survey; Philosophy Gone Wild; Environmental Ethics; and Conserving Natural Value. He has edited Biology, Ethics, and the Origins of Life. His articles have appeared in a wide range of journals, including Ethics, Inquiry, Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, Theology Today, Natural History, Conservation Biology, Yale Journal of International Law, and Christianity Today. Professor Rolston was awarded the Templeton Prize in Religion in 2003. Other awards include the Mendel Medal, bestowed on him by Villanova University in 2005.

This event is co-sponsored by the Agnes Scott Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, Beta of Georgia, through its McNair Lecture Fund.

II

Title: “Space Exploration and Environmental Sustainability on Earth”

Speaker: William K. Hartmann (Scientist, Author, Artist -- Planetary Science Institute)

Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Evans Hall, Rooms ABC

Recent exploration of the inner solar system has revealed information on our nearby cosmic environment, including asteroids of many compositions, and the essentially endless supply of solar energy in space. Dr. Hartmann will describe how these results offer opportunities for humans to begin to allow the Earth itself to “relax” back toward its more natural state. Artwork offers a good tool for illustrating and exploring these opportunities; with that in mind, Dr. Hartmann will include images from of his own paintings as part of his presentation.

Dr. William K. Hartmann is a scientist, writer, and painter affiliated with the Planetary Science Institute. His research involves origin and evolution of planets and planetary surfaces, and the small bodies of the solar system. His current research focuses on the new data from Mars as part of his work with the Mars Global Surveyor’s imaging team (NASA). He has authored text books; popular illustrated, non-fiction books; and works of fiction; as well as many technical papers. His paintings have appeared in numerous publications and international exhibitions; he has twice had paintings commissioned by the NASA Fine Arts Program. Dr. Hartmann is the recipient of a G.K. Gilbert Award from the Geological Society of America for outstanding contributions to the solution of fundamental problems in planetary geology (2004). He has been elected as a Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2002). And he was the first recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society for popular writing and astronomical paintings (1998).He holds a Ph.D. in Astronomy and a M.S. in Geology, both from the University of Arizona, and a B.S. in Physics from Pennsylvania State University.

Spring Semester:

III

Title: “The Ethics of Exploration: Planetary Astronomy”

Speaker: Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ (Astronomer -- the Vatican)

Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Time: 7:30, p.m.

Location: Evans Hall, Rooms ABC

Astronomy is a remote and passive field; how can we worry about doing the wrong thing, when we basically aren’t doing anything at all except observing far distant objects? Yet a number of ethical issues arise in the field of planetary sciences ranging from the way we do our work to the broader question of the nature of exploration itself. Is the study of astronomy a valid use of scarce resources, or does it make inappropriate demands on our money, our human talent, and scarce environmental settings like clear, dark mountaintops which may impinge on other human values, such as the rights of indigenous religions, and the desire for personal security and economic well-being? Are we humans “contaminating” space with our presence? Under what conditions is it ethical to “terraform” a planet -- can we be sure that no life would ever arise on another planet in some future date if we did not terraform there? Do we have a responsibility to non-intelligent indigenous life -- say, Martian bacteria -- or to the potentiality of future life that does not yet exist? What assumptions does our activity as explorers make concerning the natural or “supernatural” status of humans in the universe? Every scientific action has a moral dimension that cannot be ignored; but that also includes the decision not to proceed with a scientific action. How do we make these choices?

Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, SJ is an American research astronomer and planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory. He also curates of the Vatican Meteorite collection. His research focuses on the connections between meteorites and asteroids, and the origin and evolution of small bodies in the solar system. In addition to over 40 refereed scientific papers, he has co-authored several books on astronomy for the popular market. Among these are: Brother Astronomer: Adventures of a Vatican Scientist (2000), God’s Mechanics: How Scientists and Engineers Make Sense of Religion (2007), and The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican (2009). During 1996, he took part in the Antarctic Search for Meteorites, ANSMET, where he discovered a number of meteorites on the ice fields of Antarctica.

Brother Guy received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and his doctorate from the University of Arizona. All of his academic degrees planetary science, though he has also studied philosophy and theology. Before entering the Jesuit order in 1989, he held several academic positions, including a postdoctoral research post at the Harvard College Observatory. He also spent two years in the US Peace Corps, teaching astronomy and physics in Kenya.

This event is co-sponsored by the Agnes Scott College Observatory.

IV

Title: “Extraterrestrial Searches and Planetary Protection”

Speaker: Margaret Race (Astrobiologist -- SETI Institute)

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Evans Hall, Rooms ABC

Dr. Race will discuss the status of science investigations in astrobiology (especially on Mars), the policy and legal issues involved in mission planning, and the societal (and ethical) issues that arise along the way. Among these issues she may consider is that of microbial contamination: both of and by astronauts carrying out interplanetary explorations and the vehicles transporting them. What are the dangers of such contamination for affected human beings, or for our own or other planets’ environments? What steps can and we and ought we to make sure that our missions do not transfer microbes from Mars to Earth, or the other way around?

Dr. Race is a biologist, with a focus on astrobiology and searches for microbial extraterrestrial life. She is a marine ecologist by training, with a PhD, from University of California, Berkeley. Her overall interests are in environmental impact analyses, invasive species, implications of new technologies (including synthetic biology and nanotech), science policy, and science communication via the mass media. She has worked on other topics at the intersection of science, technology, and policy, such as bioterrorism, quarantine and public preparedness; global warming and planetary sustainability, and planetary defense—i.e., protecting Earth from hazardous asteroids. Dr. Race is affiliated with the SETI Institute.

Monday, August 24, 2009

The North Carolina Philosophical Society announces its call for papers for the Biennial Joint Meeting with the South Carolina Society for Philosophy on February 26 & 27, 2010 at Queens University of Charlotte. MAP (4 hours from ATL)

The keynote speaker will be Michael Dickson, Professor of Philosophy at the University of South Carolina and editor of the journal Philosophy of Science.

Papers in any area of philosophy designed for a presentation time of about 20-30 minutes are welcome. Further details including submission instructions can be found at the new NCPS website at: http://www.northcarolinaphilosophicalsociety.org/

Undergraduate submissions are again strongly encouraged, and there will be a $250 prize for the best NCPS paper submitted by an untenuured faculty member, a $150 prize for the best NCPS graduate student paper, and a $100 prize for the best NCPS undergraduate prize.

NORTH CAROLINA PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
Biennial Joint Meeting with the South Carolina Society for Philosophy
February 26 & 27, 2010
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
CALL FOR PAPERS
Keynote Speaker - Michael Dickson
University of South Carolina
Submitted Papers
Papers on any philosophical topic are welcome. Papers should be designed for a presentation time of about 20-30 minutes. Submitted papers must be postmarked or sent electronically no later than Monday, January 11, 2010.
Send one copy of your submission in a format suitable for blind review to Christian Miller at either:
millerc@wfu.edu (preferred) or Christian Miller, P.O. Box 7332, Department of Philosophy, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
In a cover letter or in the body of your email, please indicate your name, email address, phone number, and institutional affiliation (if any). If you wish your paper to be considered for a prize (see below), you should submit two copies (in the case of postal submissions) and indicate in your cover letter or email whether you are an untenured faculty member, graduate student, or undergraduate.
Panels and Workshops
Panel and workshop proposals on any topic in philosophy, including its pedagogy, are welcome. Proposals should specify issues to be discussed, format (including time to be allotted), and names of presenters, and should include brief abstracts of presentations.
Undergraduate Papers
A sufficient number of undergraduate submissions will allow for a session devoted to papers by undergraduates. Undergraduate submissions should be clearly labeled as such.
Prizes
There will be a $250 prize for the best NCPS paper submitted by an untenured faculty member, a $150 prize for the best NCPS graduate student paper, and a $100 prize for the best NCPS undergraduate paper. Awarding of prizes is contingent on an adequate numbers of submissions.
Website
Information about the North Carolina Philosophical Society and periodic updates about the conference can be found at our new website at http://www.northcarolinaphilosophicalsociety.org/. Information about the South Carolina

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Call for Papers

Alabama Philosophical Society

47th Annual Meeting

2-3 October 2009

Keynote Speaker

David Christensen

Brown University

Hilton Beachfront Garden Inn

23092 Perdido Beach Boulevard

Orange Beach, Alabama

Papers in any area of philosophy are welcome. Submissions should not exceed 3,000 words, should include a 100 word abstract, and should be prepared for blind review.

All submissions must be e-mailed by 17 August or postmarked by 14 August.

E-mail submissions preferred: DOC, RTF, or PDF format to alabamaphilsoc@gmail.com.

Alternatively, mail your paper and abstract to: Dr. Nick Jones, Philosophy Dept., 332B MH, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville AL, 35899.

Please watch http://www.geocities.com/ALPHILSOC for updates.

For inquiries, contact Nick Jones at nick.jones@uah.edu or 256.824.2338.

Hilton Beachfront Inn (877.782.9444 - Group Code APS) will hold rooms until 18 September.


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Undergraduate Essay Competition

Alabama Philosophical Society

47th Annual Meeting

2-3 October 2009

Keynote Speaker

David Christensen

Hilton Beachfront Garden Inn

23092 Perdido Beach Boulevard

Orange Beach, Alabama

Undergraduate students are invited to submit a paper for the 2009 APS Undergraduate Essay Competition. The winning paper will be awarded a prize of $60. The winner should be prepared to present his or her paper at the APS 2009 conference.

Papers in any area of philosophy are welcome. Submissions should not exceed 3,000 words, include a 100 word abstract, be marked clearly "Undergraduate Essay Competition," and include the author's name and contact information on a separate title page.

All submissions must be e-mailed by 17 August or postmarked by 14 August.

E-mail submissions preferred: DOC, RTF, or PDF format to alabamaphilsoc@gmail.com.

Alternatively, mail your paper and abstract to: Dr. Nick Jones, Philosophy Dept., 332B MH, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville AL, 35899.

Please watch http://www.geocities.com/ALPHILSOC for updates.

For inquiries, contact Nick Jones at nick.jones@uah.edu or 256.824.2338.

Hilton Beachfront Inn (877.782.9444 - Group Code APS) will hold rooms until 18 September.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

These are the slides from a talk Nathan Nobis recently did for the Atlanta Science Tavern: