InterPhil: CFP: Freedom and Authenticity
__ Call for Papers Theme: Freedom and Authenticity Type: 2nd International Interdisciplinary Conference Institution: InMind Support Location: Online Date: 9.–10.7.2020 Deadline: 25.6.2020 __ Since the postmodern movements such as Pop and hyperrealist art or literary genres ̶ New Journalism and creative non-fiction questioned the status of the real and the imitated, the concept of authenticity has called for a constant reevaluation. Walter Benjamin’s 1935 assumption that “the presence of the original is the prerequisite to the concept of authenticity” has been called into question with the corporate and advertising practice continually rebranding the concept of authenticity to suit mass consumers’ needs. Why is it then that within the contemporary culture, with modes of expressions such as irony, cynicism and sarcasm strongly present, the notions of authenticity and freedom are still heavily linked with spiritual awakening and happiness? To what extent do authenticity, individuality and freedom function as mere commercial products and advertising slogans? Have they over time become shallow romantic ideals or do they still hold the substance to be discovered and implemented into one’s line of thinking and living? What makes freedom and authenticity creatively attractive to artists, thinkers and spiritual teachers? Can authenticity be defined, measured, conceptualized in the contemporary context of relativism? What are the main dynamics between freedom and authenticity? During the conference, we strive to discuss the contemporary status of authenticity and freedom, their interrelationship and their association with concepts such as sincerity, individuality, vulnerability, creativity and many others. We invite researchers representing various academic disciplines: art, film studies, literature, theatre studies, media studies, anthropology, psychology, sociology, politics, cognitive studies, to name a few. Different forms of presentations are encouraged, including case studies, theoretical inquiries, personal reflections, problem-oriented arguments, comparative analyses and creative expressions. We will be happy to hear from experienced scholars and young academics, doctoral and graduate students, as well as professionals from various disciplines. We also invite all persons interested in participating in the conference as listeners, without giving a presentation. I. Sociology, Anthropology, History - Global and local authenticity - Quest for authenticity in the context of social and historical crisis - Freedom and coronavirus pandemic II. Psychology and Psychiatry - Authenticity and self-growth - Authenticity and emotional armory – perfectionism, numbing, etc. - Authenticity and shame - Authenticity and vulnerability - Authenticity and self-image - Authenticity and individuality: self-absorption versus self-confrontation III. Literature, Film, Theatre, Visual Arts - Realism, hyperrealism, naturalism - Authenticity and intertextuality: concepts such as original artwork, reproduction, printed representation, copy, etc. - Ghostwriting - Authenticity and autofiction - Authenticity and creativity - Authenticity and adaptation - Online theatre performances during COVID-19 IV. Media Studies - Fake news - Social media marketing and authenticity - Freedom of speech V. Philosophy and Worldviews - Freedom and authenticity as philosophical concepts - Authenticity and ethics - Authenticity and freedom as the highest humanistic values - Existential, postmodern and contemporary view on authenticity Please submit abstracts (no longer than 300 words) of your proposed 20-minute presentations, together with a short biographical note by 25 June 2020 to: conferencefree...@gmail.com Notification of acceptance will be sent by by 28 June 2020. The conference language is English. Due to COVID-19 this year's edition of Freedom and Authenticity Conference will be held virtually. Contact: InMind Support, Conference Office Email: conferencefree...@gmail.com Web: http://www.freedom-conference.pl __ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive: https://www.mail-archive.com/interphil@list.polylog.org/ __
InterPhil: PUB: Africa in Search of Democracy
__ Call for Publications Theme: Africa in Search of Democracy Subtitle: Sub-Saharan and North African Perspectives Publication: Edited Volume Deadline: 1.7.2020 __ In the analysis of some African thinkers, Africa’s problems with democracy can be traceable to the form or type of democracy that it inherited from the colonial powers after independence, and that a more authentic and suitable form of democracy for Africa is one that is both rooted in the indigenous political practices of pre-colonial African societies and fashioned according to African political values and ideals. These African thinkers (Wiredu 2001, 2011; Wamala 2004; Teffo 2004; Ajei 2016) have argued against liberal democracy and multi-party democratic systems as practiced in Africa and have proposed instead consensual democracy as the best form of governance for African states. These proponents of consensual democracy base their arguments partly on the indigenous nature of this form of governance in traditional African societies. Consensual democracy is characterized as a political system in which there are no identified political parties and decisions are primarily reached by consensus. The viability of consensual democracy for contemporary African societies has been debated extensively in the literature (Eze 2000; Ani 2014, 2019; Matolino 2016, 2018; Ani & Etiyiebo 2020). The indigenous African societies often cited for practicing consensual democracy include the governance systems of the Akans of Ghana, the Bugandans of Uganda and the Zulu of South Africa. Hence, the proposal for consensual democracy and the subsequent discussions it has generated has centred primarily on Sub-Saharan African societies. There has not been an engagement with, and conversations on, the possibility of democracy as consensus for North African societies. In the aftermath of the ‘Arab spring’, North African societies are still in search not only for a model of democratization but also a model of democratic consolidation. Similarly, North African conceptions and perspectives on democracy have not been brought to the fore for the acceptance of Sub-Saharan societies. The lack of conversations between North and Sub-Saharan African perspectives on a democracy for all Africa, and the silence on extending the project of consensual democracy to all African societies, is partly due to the supposed differences between the cultures and political structures of North and Sub-Saharan societies. To address this conversational deficit, this edited volume seeks to engage scholarly discussions on whether there can be a democratic model that is distinctively of African origin, by African people, and for the African continent as a whole. It seeks to bridge the conversational gap between North and Sub-Sahara Africa by inquiring among others: - Is democracy by consensus a viable and effective democratic model for North African societies? That is, could consensual democracy be extended beyond Sub-Saharan African societies to all African societies? - Could North African perspectives on democracy provide a feasible alternative to consensual democracy for Sub-Saharan African states? - Should Africa look to its indigenous socio-political institutions and practices in carving a system of democracy for its future? - Are there political ideas and practices common to both Sub-Saharan and North African societies that are essential for democratic theorizing and consolidation in Africa? - Is the search for a continental form of democracy merely an illusion considering Africa’s diverse histories, identities, political values, and socio-economic practices? These questions are meant to stimulate discussions on a continental search for a viable and suitable form of democracy from Sub-Saharan and North African perspectives. Contributors to the volume include: Bernard Matolino, University of Kwazulu-Natal Helen Lauer, University of Dar es Salaam Emmanuel Ani, University of Ghana Martin Ajei, University of Ghana Hisham Wahby, The American University in Cairo Mark Deets, The American University in Cairo Amr Adly, The American University in Cairo Amal Hamada, Cairo University Call for Abstracts: Contributors are invited to submit abstracts (max: 500 words) of papers that either engages with the issues above or that are relevant to the theme of the volume by 1st July 2020 to: rkw...@ug.edu.gh and rkw...@aucegypt.edu Contributors whose abstracts are accepted will be encouraged to submit full papers by 31st October 2020 for the review process. Further Inquiries can be directed to: Richmond Kwesi, PhD Research Fellow, The American University in Cairo Lecturer, University of Ghana Email: rkw...@ug.edu.gh __ InterPhil List Administration: https://interphil.polylog.org InterPhil List Archive:
