Dear fellow contributors to, and readers of, Q/P blog,
Recalling the surprising and encouraging level of interest in the Philosophers’ Roundtable at the recent FAHE conference at Earlham (which was the motivation for establishing this blog), and remembering the approaching (and early) due date for FAHE proposals this year (November 1st), I am wondering whether we should not be in the process of putting together a proposal for another Philosophers’ Roundtable at the upcoming FAHE conference at Woodbrooke. My suggestion - and I’m just floating something here, open to counter-proposals or revisions - is that we organize around a more focussed query this time (last year’s queries were great, but it turns out were far too extensive to even begin to discuss in the time we had), and invite three or four prepared responses (of a maximum of five minutes each, and from diverse philosophical perspectives - maybe from the more regular respondents to this blog?) that can serve as the stimulus to a broader ranging discussion for the rest of the session. The moderator should probably not be one of the presenters, so that the discussion that follows not be channelled to anyone’s response/interests in particular. Given the theme of the conference, perhaps our query could be: “In what ways does your Quaker faith impact upon your philosophical practice?” (There is a broader question implicit here, of course, as to how one’s Quaker faith impacts upon academic work in any discipline, so the discussion might be of interest to others too.) But I would be interested in what others would like to hear discussed as well. What do we all think?
Jeff Dudiak
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3 comments:
I think this is a great idea! I like your suggestion for a query, and for a format. If others have other thoughts or ideas, I too would be interested in hearing them.
I (probably) won't be able to go to Woodbrooke, but I also think this is a great idea. Having some prepared responses should help focus the discussion without unduly stifling it.
Craig,
I appreciate the "cost" of going to FAHE 2008, and that not everyone will be willing or able to go. It would have been great to see you again, and I'll look forward to the next opportunity.
And Laura,
As for the rest of us who might be able to go, I'm not sure that arranging another philosophers' session through this blog is the way to do it, as it has been a bit quiet here lately (for which I'm to blame as much as anyone and more than most), and we've had limited participation so far in any case. Perhaps we should contact last year's list by e-mail, and see if there is sufficient interest to proceed. I'll send you a message about this.
Jeff
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