A Philosophy Conference in Kyiv this Summer
“Existential Questions” is the name of a philosophy conference being held at the Kyiv School of Economics this coming August, organized by Jason Stanley (Yale).
The conference’s speakers will include Stanley, David Chalmers (NYU), Quill Kukla (Georgetown), L. A. Paul (Yale), Volodymyr Yermolenko (Kyiv-Mohyla Academy), Claudia Passos-Ferreira (NYU), and others.
From the conference website:
During existential moments in human history, philosophy has served as a refuge, a place of retreat that connects reflection across centuries, whatever the conditions. To practice philosophy in moments of crisis is to connect with our common humanity.
This is an in-person conference. You can learn more about it here.
Via Jason Stanley, who added that he was unaware of other disciplines holding international conferences in Kyiv anytime soon.
I appreciate Stanley–who seems to really give a damn. Thank you.
Apparently, not so much about DEI in philosophy; or about elevating marginalized and excluded members of the profession by offering them opportunities to present at conferences and in other venues; or about combating racial injustice, ableism, and elitism in philosophy; or about organizing accessible conferences; or about providing an example of how philosophers can mitigate and redress their contribution to climate change.
To follow the great Sandra Harding: Whose human history? Which humanity?
He’s gathering what looks like an impressive lineup in a war-torn country and this is your response? Am I missing something? This seems like such a misplaced reaction.
Your critique is well taken, Shelley. In the last decade, I have not been thinking about the sociology of academic discipline of philosophy, I’ve been focusing instead on the rise of fascism (outside academic philosophy departments). It really hasn’t left me much time to spend on (for example) elitism in academic philosophy.
Perhaps I’m wrong and elitism in academic philosophy department is as much worth addressing as the global rise of a fascist movement (a movement that is so committed to the destruction of the climate that it has been labeled “climate fascism” by some). If I’m wrong, and elitism in US academic philosophy is as important a problem as the global rise of fascism, then so be it. I’ve been wrong before about what is important.
In general, my work and my activism haven’t taken place in the realm of academic philosophy – I’m rather using my position and privilege as a Yale Professor, and my skills as a philosopher, to address problems outside of US academic philosophy departments and institutions. I do exploit my privilege in these endeavors. My privilege helps in the global fight against fascism. The privilege of those I have invited to this conference helps as well.
It’s not an either/or of course, but I simply no longer have any interest in the sociology of US academic philosophy. I confess I don’t care at all about who gets what US academic philosophical accolades, or gives what talks. Even worse, such obsession seems to me like navel gazing. That said, I greatly appreciate those who do focus instead on making US academic philosophy more inclusive. It’s just not what I’ve chosen to expend my limited resources on.
I go regularly to Ukraine, and the happiness intellectual interchange brings to a population half of whom haven’t been allowed out of the country in the last three years, and many of whom have lost family members or face the prospect of terrible violence themselves, is really worth the journey.
As far as “mitigating climate change”, it’s worth mentioning that there are no flights in or out of Ukraine. One flies to Warsaw, takes a 3 hour train to the border, waits around a bit, and takes a 14 hour train to Kyiv (which is far from a luxury ride, as no food is available). So it’s a trip that’s almost all by train.
I’m deeply and profoundly grateful to the philosophers who have agreed to go to Kyiv. Many Ukrainians will be as well.
Thank you for your reply to my remark, Jason. Given time constraints, I have responded to it in a post on BIOPOLITICAL PHILOSOPHY. You can find my post on BIOPOLITICAL PHILOSOPHY here: On Jason Stanley On Fascism and Organizing Inaccessible Conferences – BIOPOLITICAL PHILOSOPHY