In memory of Maurice Merleau-Ponty:
Environment, Embodiment and Gender
Bergen, October 30th -31st 2008
In connection with the centennial anniversary of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, we would like to invite scholars of his work to an international conference at the University of Bergen October 30th & 31st 2008. The conference is a joint venture of the Department of Philosophy and the Centre for Women’s and Gender Research (SKOK) at the University of Bergen. The aim of the conference is to engage in a broad approach to the philosophy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty.
The conference plenary papers will focus on the themes of environment, embodiment and gender. Merleau-Ponty’s thinking on the complex intertwining of body and world, perception and body and nature, has created a renewed interest in the question of embodiment, particularly through his concepts of the flesh and the bodily subject. His work has inspired a host of feminist studies on gendered embodiment, sexuality and sexual difference. Furthermore, environmental philosophy, in part based on the philosophy Merleau-Ponty, has worked out viable philosophical approaches to our modern environmental problems. Contemporary eco-phenomenologists working in the wake of Merleau-Ponty offer a critique of naturalistic/objectivistic conceptions of nature, subjectivity and the body.
The conference plenary papers will focus on the themes of environment, embodiment and gender. Merleau-Ponty’s thinking on the complex intertwining of body and world, perception and body and nature, has created a renewed interest in the question of embodiment, particularly through his concepts of the flesh and the bodily subject. His work has inspired a host of feminist studies on gendered embodiment, sexuality and sexual difference. Furthermore, environmental philosophy, in part based on the philosophy Merleau-Ponty, has worked out viable philosophical approaches to our modern environmental problems. Contemporary eco-phenomenologists working in the wake of Merleau-Ponty offer a critique of naturalistic/objectivistic conceptions of nature, subjectivity and the body.
We have invited the following keynote speakers:
Professor Ted Toadvine, University of Oregon, USA
Professor Monika Langer, University of Victoria, Canada
Professor Piotr Mróz, University of Krakow, Poland
Professor Sara Heinämaa, University of Helsinki
Researcher Lisa Käll, University of Uppsala, Sweden
Doctoral fellow, Claus Halberg, University of Bergen, Norway
In addition to the keynote speakers, we invite scholars (Master students, Ph.D candidates and faculty members) to present papers (of max.30 min.) to the group sessions, which will be held in the afternoons. We ask participants to submit an abstract (of max. ½ page, including a title) to the organizers. It is also possible to attend the conference without presenting a paper.
Deadline for abstracts and advance registration: October 6th, 2008
Conference fee:
NOK 300, which includes coffee/tee/fruit; two lunches and one conference dinner
The organizers will provide information on inexpensive accommodations for the participants.
To register, contact:
Tone.lund-olsen@skok.uib.no, or
ane@hermestext.no
Travel/accommodations:
You have to arrange and finance your own travel and lodging. However, we have reserved rooms to a special price (NOK 700) at Hotel Park Pension which is situated in the university area in the city centre. Reservations with reference to the "Merleau-Ponty conference" can be made to: booking@parkhotel.no
We also recommend the economy hotel Citybox which is situated near the University: www.citybox.no/,
and Rica Travel Hotel:
http://www.rica-hotels.com/index.cfm?oa=hotel.display&con=439
and Rica Travel Hotel:
http://www.rica-hotels.com/index.cfm?oa=hotel.display&con=439
There are several airlines offering direct flights to Bergen from the Nordic countries:
www.norwegian.no
www.sterling.dk/no
www.sas.no
The conference is hosted by the Department of Philosophy and the Centre for Women's and Gender Research, University of Bergen, Norway.
For more information contact: johannes.servan@fof.uib.no; ane.aaro@fof.uib.no; konrad.rokstad@fof.uib.no
