From THEYD@UVVM.UVIC.CA Fri Nov 1 16:44:43 1996 Received: from mx4.u.washington.edu by lists.u.washington.edu (5.65+UW96.08/UW-NDC Revision: 2.33 ) id AA36082; Fri, 1 Nov 96 16:44:42 -0800 Received: from UVVM.UVic.CA (uvvm.UVic.CA [142.104.5.6]) by mx4.u.washington.edu (8.8.2+UW96.10/8.8.2+UW96.10) with SMTP id QAA18511 for ; Fri, 1 Nov 1996 16:44:39 -0800 Received: from UVVM.UVIC.CA by UVVM.UVic.CA (IBM VM SMTP V2R3) with BSMTP id 7681; Fri, 01 Nov 96 16:44:24 PST Received: from UVVM.UVic.CA (NJE origin THEYD@UVVM) by UVVM.UVIC.CA (LMail V1.1d/1.7f) with BSMTP id 5002; Fri, 1 Nov 1996 16:44:24 -0800 Resent-From: "Dr. Thomas Heyd" Resent-To: indknow@U.WASHINGTON.EDU Received: from UVVM.UVic.CA (NJE origin THEYD@UVVM) by UVVM.UVIC.CA (LMail V1.1d/1.7f) with BSMTP id 4871; Fri, 1 Nov 1996 16:33:29 -0800 X-Resent-Date: Fri, 01 Nov 96 16:30:27 PST X-Resent-From: "Dr. Thomas Heyd" X-Resent-To: Thomas Heyd X-Resent-Message-Id: <961101.163027.PST.THEYD@UVVM.UVic.CA> Received: from UVVM.UVic.CA (NJE origin THEYD@UVVM) by UVVM.UVIC.CA (LMail V1.1d/1.7f) with BSMTP id 8258; Tue, 29 Oct 1996 16:10:18 -0800 X-Resent-Date: Tue, 29 Oct 96 15:32:57 PST X-Resent-From: "Dr. Thomas Heyd" X-Resent-To: Thomas Heyd X-Resent-Message-Id: <961029.153257.PST.THEYD@UVVM.UVic.CA> Received: from UVVM (NJE origin SMTP@UVVM) by UVVM.UVIC.CA (LMail V1.1d/1.7f) with BSMTP id 8231; Tue, 22 Oct 1996 03:32:17 -0700 Received: from piva.ucs.mun.ca by UVVM.UVic.CA (IBM VM SMTP V2R3) with TCP; Tue, 22 Oct 96 03:32:15 PDT Received: from beothuk.swgc.mun.ca (beothuk.swgc.mun.ca [198.165.18.1]) by piva.ucs.mun.ca (8.7.6/8.7.3) with SMTP id IAA29039 for ; Tue, 22 Oct 1996 08:02:26 -0230 (NDT) Received: (from arberger@localhost) by beothuk.swgc.mun.ca (8.6.10/8.6.6) id IAA32104; Tue, 22 Oct 1996 08:02:16 -0230 Date: Tue, 22 Oct 1996 08:02:16 -0230 (NDT) From: "A. R. Berger" To: theyd@UVVM.UVIC.CA Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Although this Call is not only about indigenous knowledge, it welcomes an indigenous knowledge perspective CALL FOR PAPERS: SYMPOSIUM AND SEMINAR HELD IN CONJUNTION WITH THE 1997 LEARNED SOCIETIES CONGRESS, MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA (This information, and any additional information becoming available at a later time, can also be accessed through http://www.mun.ca/learneds/societies/calls_for_papers/autonomy_call.thml) "Ethics and Natural Environmental Change: Recognising the Autonomy of Nature" The following are some of the topics that we would like to see discussed at the Symposium: 1. Which of our current practices (discursive and non-discursive) prevent apprehension of nature as autonomous? 2. Can we conceive nature in non-anthropomorphised or non-domesticated ways? 3. If we can conceive nature in non-anthopomorphised or non-domesticated ways, how is it done? Are there conceptual tools at hand for this task? What discursive and non-discursive practices may/do we utilise in this undertaking? 4. Can aesthetics, art, or the arts provide entry to conceptions of nature as autonomous? If art and the arts were believed to provide a sort of privileged access, how does it come about? 5. Can the ethnographic literature provide models for understanding nature as autonomous? What exactly can we learn from from the comparison of the understandings of nature between indigenous and non-indigenous cultures? 6. What are ethically appropriate ways to respond to natural environmental change, especially where human well-being is affected? More particularly, what sorts of change should we, ethically, tolerate (if any), and what sorts should we, ethically, counteract (if any)? 7. After human intervention in some part of the natural environment, does 'restoration' make sense? That is, is restoration ontologically intelligible and/or ethically justified? Does the answer to these questions depend on the type of restoration undertaken? 8. Should human beings attempt to 'manage' natural environmental change? Papers should be limited to 3000 words or 20 minutes reading time. They should be submitted via e-mail to THEYD@UVVM.UVIC.CA as well as in triplicate, double-spaced, to Thomas Heyd, Department of Philosophy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 3P4, Canada, as soon as possible, but before February 1st, 1997. Papers will sent out for assessment of their adequacy, and individuals will be notified regarding their participation as presenters by May 1st, 1997. Further information about registration and accomodation in St. John's can be obtained from learneds@morgan.ucs.mun.ca Further information about accomodation in Corner Brook for participation in the Seminar can be obtained from Dr. Antony R. Berger at arberger@beothuk.swgc.mun.ca Details about the rationale and organisation of the Symposium and Seminar follow below. ETHICS AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE: RECOGNISING THE AUTONOMY OF NATURE A two-day interdisciplinary symposium to be held during the Learned Societies Congress, St. John's, Newfoundland, June 4 and 5, 1997, followed by a three-day seminar and excursion in Corner Brook to discuss with local residents, scientists and environmental managers the effects of environmental change on a traditional resource-based society. The SYMPOSIUM will explore perspectives in contemporary environmental philosophy that deal with natural processes of environmental change. Of particular concern are natural changes beyond human control and yet harmful to human beings or to the biosphere in general, including climate change, desertification and sea-level rise. While we must accept responsibility for the environmental damage that we cause, we also need a better concept of those unavoidable and commonly unforseeable natural events that threaten human life and well-being, as well as the integrity of ecosystems. What guidelines can environmental philosophy provide for living with ecosystems undergoing significant natural change? How can we best conceptualize the relation between human-induced environmental change and that due to natural biological, chemical or physical processes, so that we are not led to over-optimistic and unrealistic approaches to environmental "management"? The SEMINAR and EXCURSION (June 6-9) will be based at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook and in the Gros Morne National Park nearby. It will provide environmental scholars with an opportunity to meet an interdisciplinary group of scientists and environmental managers concerned with practical ethical issues of importance to Newfoundland. These include the profound loss of biodiversity at sea, the perceived need to cull other species (seals, moose, caribou), forest fire and disease, ecosystem restoration, and balancing human desire to experience wilderness with the protection of delicate habitats. Participants will visit forest plantations where new approaches are being developed, and will take part in a discussion of forest values, ecosystems and alternatives to traditional forms of management. A one-day side-trip will visit Gros Morne National Park for a discussion of problems and dilemmas arising from the need in protected areas for healthy wildlife, public access to delicate ecosystems, and the preservation and conservation of the natural environment. BACKGROUND: Five hundred years ago, in 1497, John Cabot made his historic voyage to Newfoundland, which became the first overseas colony of England. A marginal economy developed over the next few centuries, based on the rich cod fishery off the island and adjacent Labrador. In the present century, the natural riches of the land were developed, as mines were opened and the forests harvested to feed a thriving pulp and paper industry. Now, nearly 50 years after Newfoundland joined Canada, the fisheries have collapsed, forestry has declined and most of the existing mines have closed. There is doubt that the resources of the land can continue to sustain the rich culture and traditions of Newfoundland's rural communities, and a major social upheaval is underway. Yet, there is a strong determination to persevere and to find new ways to retain a distinctively Newfoundland relation with the land and sea. Among current trends related to the terrestrial environment are the growth of adventure tourism and ecotourism, increased access to remote areas by means of recreational vehicles, rapid growth in local moose and caribou populations, and an increasing sense of the need for a better land stewardship as seen, for example, in the development of many new protected areas. SPONSORS include Sir Wilfred Grenfell College (Memorial University of Newfoundland), the Western Newfoundland Model Forest Corporation, Gros Morne National Park, the Canadian Society for the Study of European Ideas, the Canadian Society for the Study of Practical Ethics, and the Centre for the Studies in Religion and Society (University of Victoria). PARTICIPATION: Philosophers, religious scholars and others interested in environmental philosophy and ecology. Seminar participants from outside the province should be able to arrange their return flights with a stop-off in Deer Lake, the airport for Corner Brook, from which there are frequent flights to St. John's and Halifax. PUBLICATION: A selection of the papers presented at the symposium and the seminar will be published in book form. COSTS: The symposium and seminar are expected to be largely self-financing. Additional funds are, however, being sought to support organizing costs, subsidies for participants otherwise unable to attend, and seed funds for the final publication. ORGANIZATION: The symposium and seminar are being convened by Antony Berger (Adjunct Professor, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Community Sabbaticant, Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, University of Victoria), Thomas Heyd (Department of Philosophy, University of Victoria) and Sandra Tomsons (Philosphy Department, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College). ************************ Dr. A. R. BERGER, 528 Paradise Street, Victoria BC V9A 5E2. Phone/fax (250) 480-0840. Email: arberger@beothuk.swgc.mun.ca (June 1-December 15, 1996: Woody Point, Bonne Bay, NF A0K 1P0. Phone/fax (709) 453-2300. Email as above) Dr. T. HEYD, Department of Philosophy, University of Victoria, Victoria BC V8W 3P4. Phone: (250) 381-2239, Fax: (604) 721-7511. Email: theyd@uvvm.uvic.ca Dr. S. TOMSONS, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, University Drive, Corner Brook, NF A2H 6P9. Phone: (709) 637-6280, Fax: (709) 639-8125. Email: stomsons@beothuk.swgc.mun.ca .