Metaphysical and Religious Naturalism:
Present Forms and Future Prospects
June 11-14, 2012
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Present Forms and Future Prospects
June 11-14, 2012
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Keynote Speakers
Lawrence E. Cahoone, College of the Holy CrossIntellectual Autobiography
Nancy K. Frankenberry, Dartmouth College
Ursula Goodenough, Washington University in St. Louis
Robert C. Neville, Boston University
Nancy R. Howell, Saint Paul School of Theology
CALL FOR PAPERS
Submission Deadline: January 15, 2012
Submit proposals to: pcrosby@fsu.edu.
Submit proposals to: pcrosby@fsu.edu.
Proposals should contain a descriptive title and brief (no more than 500
words) but informative and readable description of the paper to be
presented, with some indication of why the proposer considers the paper
to be an important contribution. Proposals should also include a brief
(150-word) biographical sketch of their authors.
The theme of the 2012 HIARPT conference
encompasses exploration, defense, and criticism of the various forms of
metaphysical and/or religious naturalism that have been proposed in the
past, are being argued for in the present, or are thought to be inviting
possibilities for the future.
Part of the task of the conference will be to
address issues concerning the nature of naturalism itself as a
metaphysical position or religious outlook and commitment. For example,
was Aristotle a naturalist? Why or why not? Is panentheism a
naturalistic position? Does adequate explanation of the present
existence and character of the universe require the positing of an
ultimate source or ground that is not itself a part of the existing
universe—and if so, does this mean a departure from naturalism? Did the
universe begin at some point, or has it always been, in some shape or
form? Is natura naturans a part of nature, or does it transcend
nature? What is the relationship of naturalism and materialism? Can an
idealist be a naturalist? Does naturalism simply mean rejection of
anything that could be termed supernatural? How are metaphysical and
epistemological naturalism to be distinguished?
Other questions to be considered might include
the following: What are the specific merits or strong points of a
naturalistic outlook? How can such an outlook be criticized? What is the
relation of metaphysical or religious forms of naturalism to the
findings of the natural sciences? What sort of case could be made in
favor of some sort of transcendent theism or spiritualism as over
against various forms of naturalism? Which, if either, is primordial or
emergent, matter or mind? What is matter and how does an adequate
metaphysical or religious definition of it relate to current physics?
How does naturalism relate to scientism? How does it relate to the
natural sciences in general? How does naturalism account for evil or
provide resources with which to respond to and cope with the menace of
evil? Does evil exist only among human beings or is it a feature of
nature itself? How do humans relate to the natural order? What are their
responsibilities to that order?
These questions are only suggestive. Proposals
relating to the history of naturalism or the future prospects of
naturalism are welcome, as are constructive or critical attempts to come
to terms with any aspect or aspects of a naturalistic metaphysics or
religious naturalism. Proposals for panels on the theme are also
invited.
As in the past, proposals are also invited in
areas different from the theme of the conference but relevant to
HIARPT’s mission statement and will be considered on their merits.
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