Philosophy and Liturgy: Conference and Call for Papers
Philosophy and Liturgy: Ritual, Practice, and Embodied Wisdom
May 20-22, 2008
Hosted by James K.A. Smith, John Witvliet, and Nicholas Wolterstorff
Prince Conference Center at Calvin College
Sponsored by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship; funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Plenary speakers: Sarah Coakley, Terence Cuneo, Reinhard Hütter, Peter Ochs, James K.A. Smith, and Nicholas Wolterstorff.
The renaissance in Christian philosophy has engendered sustained philosophical reflection on a number of key aspects of Christian theology, but there has been a notable paucity of philosophical engagement with a central aspect of Christian practice: worship and liturgy. This conference brings together leading scholars in philosophy and theology to investigate key themes in worship with the tools of philosophy, with the ultimate goal of informing Christian practice. There is also the reciprocal goal of letting Christian liturgical practice become a fund for philosophical reflection on classic questions and themes. The conference will thus stage a reciprocal encounter between philosophy and liturgy, with the goal of generating a liturgical philosophy, and a philosophically-informed liturgy.
Call for Papers: We invite scholars (including advanced doctoral students) working at the intersection of philosophy and liturgy to submit their work for possible inclusion in the conference. We welcome two kinds of submissions: (1) completed papers for presentation; and (2) works to be included in an electronic "poster session" that will also be a topic of discussion at the conference. Such pieces could include previously published work at the intersection of philosophy and liturgy, or shorter "research notes" (of 3-4 pages) that identify a key question or topic for the field and report on work in progress. The latter materials will be posted online before the conference. Both completed papers and works for the poster session should be submitted to seminars@calvin.edu by February 15, 2008. Those accepted will be notified by March 15, 2008. For further information and updates, visit www.calvin.edu/scs/philosophyandliturgy.
