> Subject: CALL FOR PAPERS: International Social Theory
Consortium (16-17 June, 2011, Cork)
>
>
>
> Please submit abstracts by March 1, 2011 to (s.renwick /at/ ucc.ie)
>
> International Social Theory Consortium
> 10th Annual Meeting
> 16-17 June, 2011
> School of Sociology & Philosophy,
> University College Cork, Ireland.
>
> 'Methods of Theorizing:
> Reflective searches for Ways, Ideals and Measures'
>
> Call for papers:
>
>
> Social theory and method are inextricably bound up with one
another, despite the convention of their separation and a recent
tendency to differentiate them entirely by emphasizing technical
training in particular methods over general education in culture
and thinking. But to theorize, whether in Sociology, Philosophy,
Politics, Anthropology, or in any cognate field in the Arts,
Humanities and Social sciences means not simply to arrange
empirical evidence, but also to seek to clarify the Ideals,
Standards or Measure by virtue of a way of inquiry that is
sustained and methodically pursued, so much so that we may speak of
method(s) of theorizing.
> Questions of method, or searches for the 'Way', just as the use
of the powers of reason, cannot be reduced to a search for means to
satisfy given ends, but must incorporate a discussion of the very
ends of social and human life, including the question of meaning.
Methods of theorizing are thus ways of attending to the world so as
to bring into view, contemplate and articulate Standards of beauty,
truth and the good life; radiant Ideals that illuminate and make
possible an understanding and interpretation of our present
practices and institutions, thereby enabling our education and
self-transformation in light of such a Measure.
> As Weber concludes in 'Politics as a Vocation' "all historical
experience confirms the truth - that man would not have attained
the possible unless time and again he had reached out for the
impossible." Theorizing can thus be conceived of as the methodical
reaching out for the impossible Measure. But as theoria and
methodus have become differentiated we lose sight of the Ways
towards recovering our Ideals just at a time when economic crisis,
ecological catastrophe and political turmoil threaten to overwhelm us.
> Last year's ISTC meeting sought to transcend the cultural turn's
differentiation & proliferation of Habermasian, Foucaulian,
Eliasian, subaltern, feminist, sub-disciplinary theories, a concern
indicating an aspiration towards our recovering re-integrating,
holistic methods of theorizing. This year's conference continues
this search for renaissance, inviting contributions seeking a
reflective balance and harmony amongst the various currents in
social & political thought at the fundamental level of theory and
method, focus on their relation to the elusive but very real
directive Ideals of human existence.
>
> Papers are invited that speak to the topic from:
>
> . Classical & contemporary social theory: working with our inheritance
> . Methodology of Critical Theory
> . Literary methods and Social Theory
> . The interpretive tradition, depth hermeneutics & analysis
> . The performative aspects of public life
> . Media power and image magic
> . Psychoanalytic method and social theory
> . Phenomenology & hermeneutics
> . Epistemologies and philosophies of knowledge today
> . Asian philosophies and methods
> . Socrates, Plato, and working with the Greeks today
> . Political anthropology and reflexive historical sociology
>
> Convenor: Arpad Szakolczai, Professor of Sociology, University
College, Cork, Ireland.
>
> Please submit abstracts by March 1, 2011 to (s.renwick /at/ ucc.ie)
>
>
