First Annual Geo-Aesthetics Conference

Second Annual Geo-Aesthetics Conference

Third Annual Geo-Aesthetics Conference

Fourth Annual Geo-Aesthetics Conference

Call for Abstracts

Fifth Annual Geo-aesthetics Conference

March 8-9, 2013

 

Geo-aesthetics and World Peace

The International Association for the Study of Environment, Space, and Place will sponsor the Fifth Geo-aesthetics Conference at Towson University. The conference is co-sponsored by the Towson University Department of Philosophy.

In the light of the rise of modern subjectivism, one should not be surprised to find out that aesthetic experience has increasingly fallen under the reign of subjectivism. The construction of the individual as a self-enclosed entity has led to the restriction of aesthetic experience to such an enclosure. Accordingly, for many of us, aesthetic experience is a matter of inwardness. It is a matter for what is private. This location has become a refuge where one finds solace or inner peace. This circumscription of aesthetic experience has severed a deeper relation the individual has with others. The encounter with other individuals is often an encounter with other isolated beings. Consequently, aesthetic experience appears foreign to the experience of the common bond that human beings ought to have with one another. The more individuals exclusively cultivate inner peace, the more they become estranged from experiencing the common bond they have with other human beings and, hence, from a truly authentic peace. Since, for us, “to be” is to be “in-the-world”, genuine peace can only be cultivated in an aesthetic experience that is rooted in-the-world and that embraces the bond that all human beings have with one another. The conference seeks to bring together those who are interested in sharing their views on this matter. Since the world is essentially sensuous, participants will share with each other their sense of sensuous rootedness in-the-world and also on how this rootedness bears on world peace. Presentations that seek to affirm or reclaim the sensuous as the site for the generation, preservation, and promotion of the world peace are welcome.

Submit a 200 word abstract via e-mail to John Murungi: jmurungi@towson.edu

Presentations of art works, musical performances, poetry readings, and theatrical performances are encouraged.   

For further information please contact Murungi via e-mail or, call 410-704-3935

Deadline for submission: January 15, 2013