Proposal for an International, Interdisciplinary
Conference:
Seeking Wisdom/Doing Justice:
Charting the Next Steps in the Human
Civilizational Project
Background: During the course
of the past ten years, the Institute for Philosophy and Social Progress has
been involved in building a network of thinkers who are involved in serious
reflection regarding the first principles in terms of which the universe can be
explained and human action and human society ordered, and regarding the current
situation and future prospects of the human civilizational project. This
network includes poets, (physical, biological, and social) scientists,
philosophers, and political and religious leaders from Europe, Asia, Africa,
and the Americas representing many different traditions. Much of their work has
been published in the Institute’s journal, Dialectic,
Cosmos, and Society. After many years of dialogue by means of
electronic correspondence and publication, we are now anxious to bring the
participants together in one place for face to face dialogue with each other,
to expand the circle of the dialogue still further in terms of the range of
traditions and disciplines represented, and bring the results to the general
public. We are thus proposing to
convene a conference some time in 2003 which will advance these aims.
The Conference: The Conference we are proposing would explore the most
fundamental questions of theory and practice from diverse perspectives:
v
Is it possible to rise to knowledge of some first principle in
terms of which the universe can be explained and human action and human society
ordered? If so how? What is the relationship between philosophy, which attempts
to ascend to first principles by means of a rational dialectics, and other
wisdoms? What can these various disciplines say about first principles? about
our calling as human beings and as representatives of various civilizational
traditions?
v
How should we understand the current situation for humanity? What
challenges do we face? What are our prospects for further development? How can we best meet these challenges and
promote the full development of human capacities?
The conference would include both invited presentations by key
intellectual, political, and religious leaders (conceived broadly enough to be
of interest to the general public) and contributed papers, together with an art
show, poetry readings, and dramatic and/or musical performances. It would be an
authentic festival of humanity which would allow people from around the world
to come together to celebrate what we are and explore what we might become.
Location: The conference would be held at the University of New
Mexico at Gallup. Gallup is located in the heart of Indian country, roughly 25 miles
from Zuni Pueblo and 25 miles from the Diné capital of Window Rock, Arizona.
The Hopi Pueblos and the Chaco Culture World Heritage Site are less than 150
miles away. We expect significant participation from local indigenous
communities. Gallup, which is located at 6500 feet (2000 meters), has mild
summers with warm days and cool nights. There are ample opportunities for
hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation. Gallup is roughly 135 miles from
Albuquerque, which has a modern airport offering connections to cities around
the world. The town has ample hotel and
motel accommodations.
A Collaborative Effort: This conference will be convened jointly
by the Institute for Philosophy and Social Progress and the University of New
Mexico at Gallup, but its success will depend on broad support and
participation. Please respond to this initial circular and let us know:
v your reactions and
suggestions regarding the overall theme and design of the conference,
v what times during
2003 you would be able to participate. We are thinking about early summer, but
other times are possible,
v whether or not you
would be willing to serve on a sponsoring committee (which would give potential
participants a sense of the breadth of our support) or a program committee
(which would review contributed papers for inclusion in the program),
v who else you think
should get this circular, and
v anything else you
think we should know.
Please respond with comments to: Anthony Mansueto, UNM-Gallup\BASS,
GH 1217, 200 College Road, Gallup, NM 87301. Phone 505.863.7645 (office),
505.979.2272 (cell). Email: [email protected]. Web www.geocities.com/diacosmos.