Call for Abstracts
25th International Conference of the Friedrich Nietzsche Society, Tilburg University, Netherlands
Theme: "Nietzsche and Humanity: (Anti-) Humanism, Posthumanism, Transhumanism"
Call for abstracts
Friedrich Nietzsche is well-known as an ‘anti-Humanist out of concern for humanity’. The recent upsurge in philosophy of post- and transhumanism, together with concerns about human life in the Anthropocene, demands that we re-think the meaning of human existence, particularly in relation to nature, technology, and the sciences. What does it mean to be a human being in the age of the Anthropocene? How do we need to relate to nature today? What do ever-more human robots teach us about humanity? Do developments in artificial intelligence and other scientific and technological developments remake us into ‘übermenschen’ or ‘transhumans,’ and how do such innovations affect humanity’s self-understanding?
At this conference, we seek to determine what ‘humanity’ is in the face of these challenges, with the help of Nietzsche and of philosophers working in Nietzschean traditions, such as phenomenology, ethical ecology, post-structuralism, post- and transhumanism. We further seek to examine Nietzsche’s work historically, hermeneutically, and analytically on the points of humanity, the Übermensch, the legacy of humanism, and its anti-Humanist features. Possible questions and topics include:
Theme: "Nietzsche and Humanity: (Anti-) Humanism, Posthumanism, Transhumanism"
Call for abstracts
Friedrich Nietzsche is well-known as an ‘anti-Humanist out of concern for humanity’. The recent upsurge in philosophy of post- and transhumanism, together with concerns about human life in the Anthropocene, demands that we re-think the meaning of human existence, particularly in relation to nature, technology, and the sciences. What does it mean to be a human being in the age of the Anthropocene? How do we need to relate to nature today? What do ever-more human robots teach us about humanity? Do developments in artificial intelligence and other scientific and technological developments remake us into ‘übermenschen’ or ‘transhumans,’ and how do such innovations affect humanity’s self-understanding?
At this conference, we seek to determine what ‘humanity’ is in the face of these challenges, with the help of Nietzsche and of philosophers working in Nietzschean traditions, such as phenomenology, ethical ecology, post-structuralism, post- and transhumanism. We further seek to examine Nietzsche’s work historically, hermeneutically, and analytically on the points of humanity, the Übermensch, the legacy of humanism, and its anti-Humanist features. Possible questions and topics include:
- Nietzsche and the Critique of Humanism (Von Humboldt, Herder etc.)
- Nietzsche and Foucault’s anti-humanism
- Nietzsche on the Übermensch and contemporary transhumanism
- Nietzsche and the birth/ breeding/ pregnancy of the Übermensch
- Nietzsche, Deleuze, and Posthumanism
- Nietzsche on culture and civilization
- Nietzsche’s concept of nature and contemporary debates on the Anthropocene or ecological ethics
- Nietzsche and the importance of art and/or play for human life
- Nietzsche, humanity, and bioethics
- Nietzsche on human dignity and human rights
Abstract Guidelines
- Submitted abstracts should be 300-500 words long. Abstracts should clearly describe proposals for a 25 minute presentation, must be written in English, and must be received by 1 April 2019.
- Abstracts must follow this template, and must include a paper title, research question, description of approach, and references to both primary and secondary literature.
- Abstracts should also include 3-5 Keywords (to assist with parallel session organization).
- Abstracts should be sent by email attachment to the FNS Conference Committee at the FNS email address: friedrich.nietzsche.society(at)gmail.com
- Please include a title in the body of your abstract.
- Please save your file using the following format: FNS2019ABSTRACT_YOURLASTNAME
- In the body of the email, please state the following information for potential inclusion in the conference programme: (1) The title of the paper; (2) Your name and institutional affiliation; (3) Your preferred email contact address.
- In the subject line of the email, please state only the following: FNS2019ABSTRACT_YOURLASTNAME
Junior Researchers Workshop & Application Process
- The conference will start with a workshop for MA students, PhD students, and post-doctoral researchers working on Nietzsche, on September 12.
- Pre- and recently post-doctoral researchers are offered the opportunity to present and receive feedback on their work to a panel of senior researchers, consisting of the keynote speakers and other specialists in the field.
- To apply, MA & PhD students, and recently post-doctoral scholars, should submit full papers (designed for 25 minute presentations) in a separate file, when they submit their abstracts to FNS, with a short note confirming they are also applying to the workshop.
Practical Information
- All conference presenters shall register to attend the conference, in order to have their paper included in the conference programme.
- Presenters are strongly encouraged to become members of FNS. FNS membership information is available here: https://www.fns.org.uk/membership.html
- The organizers further offer several side-events, including a conference dinner, art exhibition, and a guided tour around the Tilburg area.
Important Dates and Details
Deadline for abstract submission: April 1, 2019 (midnight, CET).
Deadline for applications to attend the Junior Researchers Workshop & full paper submission: 1 April 2019 (midnight, CET)
Notification to contributors: By May 14, 2019.
Presenters' conference registration deadline: July 1, 2019 (midnight, CET).
Conference dates: September 12-14 (a Junior Researchers Workshop will be held on September 12).
Deadline for applications to attend the Junior Researchers Workshop & full paper submission: 1 April 2019 (midnight, CET)
Notification to contributors: By May 14, 2019.
Presenters' conference registration deadline: July 1, 2019 (midnight, CET).
Conference dates: September 12-14 (a Junior Researchers Workshop will be held on September 12).