Conference Theme
The theme of this year’s conference is to highlight the diversity of Chinese philosophy in three ways.
- The first is the range of its philosophical positions. Some people think of “Chinese Philosophy” as Confucianism, which is no doubt foundational. But the picture, both indigenous and imported, is much broader, and the “diversity” theme highlights that range.
- Second, it is well known that Chinese philosophy profoundly influenced other areas of Chinese intellectual and scientific life. This second focus seeks to highlight some of those influences, including on the areas of medicine, science, martial arts, religion, literature, music, painting, etc. These interactions inherently involve the influence of Chinese philosophy on non-elite groups, including women and artisans.
- Third, this theme will also welcome comparative perspectives, especially with the ancient Mediterranean and South and Southeast Asia.
Subthemes in the range of philosophical positions of the two indigenous Chinese philosophical schools include:
- Contemporary reflections on Confucianism, including appeals to Confucian authority in contemporary political contexts
- The ongoing importance and range of Daoist perspectives and their importance to the history of philosophical inquiry in greater China
- Buddhist philosophies in China
- Islamic philosophies in China
- Chinese philosophy in South and Southeast Asia
- Contemporary interpretations of topics in Chinese traditions of thought, such as notions of the self and views of human nature;
- New directions of inquiry, such as the study of excavated texts
Subthemes related to the influence of Chinese philosophy on other areas of Chinese intellectual and scientific life include:
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- The history of science in China
- Perspectives on ecology and relations between the human and natural worlds.
- Chinese science fiction and speculative fiction
Comparative subthemes include, but are not limited to:
- Comparative perspectives on aspects of Chinese philosophy and the ancient Mediterranean and beyond, including what is now called Sino-Hellenic studies, other areas of the ancient Mediterranean, the Islamic world and Africa
- Comparative perspectives on aspects of Chinese philosophy and First Nations in North and South America
- Non-regionally based comparative problématiques
The conference aims for a mixture of organized panels and individual papers. It seeks to promote dialogue among presenters and audiences and to promote an open and free exchange of ideas and stimulation of new directions of inquiry.
Please see the Call for Papers section of the conference website for details about the submission of proposals for panels and individual papers.
Languages
The official languages of the conference are English and Chinese.
Timeline
- Registration: November 30, 2022, to April 15, 2023
- Submission of panel or paper proposals: by November 30, 2022
- Communication of acceptance: by February 15, 2023
- Submission of full papers: by May 5, 2023