CALL FOR PAPERS

We are pleased and honored to announce:

The 24th ISCP conference

"Addressing Global Crises and Reimagining Solutions through Chinese Philosophy"

to be held in Ljubljana, Slovenia from Friday, June 20 to Monday, June 23, 2025, hosted by the Department of Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana.

At this conference, we will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Society.

In the spirit of planetary exchange of ideas and to enhance the voice of Chinese philosophy globally, this memorable conference will also mark the beginning of the impactful "Summer of Chinese Philosophy in Europe," subsequently unfolding in Ljubljana, Reykjavik, and Berlin.

The conference will revolve around the compelling theme of

"Addressing Global Crises and Reimagining Solutions through Chinese Philosophy"

The current crises, such as aggressive wars, severe environmental disasters, unequal distribution of resources, viral pandemics, etc., are global problems that cannot be fully solved within the narrow framework of individual countries or nation-states. They must also be addressed within the larger framework of global cooperation and solidarity. Such strategies require the development of genuine intercultural dialogue, i.e., dialogue that goes beyond the currently fashionable terminologies and can lead to a truly equal transcultural exchange of knowledge and ideas. This conference aims to explore both traditional and contemporary Chinese philosophical perspectives, seeking their contributions towards crafting a new planetary ethos that emphasizes mutual understanding and practices of solidarity in confronting these universal challenges.

Submission guidelines and timeline

The conference languages are both English and Chinese.
English abstracts should be 250 to 300 words; Chinese abstracts should be about 500 characters. Abstracts should include paper title, author’s name, affiliation, and email contact information.
Panel submissions (including “Author-Meets-Critics” sessions) should include the topic, panelists and their affiliations, a summary of the proposed panel in 300-500 words (English) or 800-1000 characters (Chinese), and an abstract for each of the papers (250–300 words for papers in English and about 500 characters for papers in Chinese).
Individual paper presentations are 20-25 minutes each. Proposed panels are 2 hours with three presenters.

Timeline:
Deadline for submission of abstracts and panel proposals: October 15, 2024
Communication of acceptance: December 15th 2024
Online registration will be opened from March 1, 2025
We intend to publish a curated selection of papers from the conference in a special issue of the Q1 journal Asian Studies (https://journals.uni-lj.si/as/index). The submission deadline for this special issue will be announced during the closing ceremony.

Please email submissions and inquiries to ISCPconference@PROTECTED. The conference website is currently under construction, and the link will be provided shortly.

REGISTRATION FEES
The registration fee payment link will be accessible on the conference website, which is under
construction and will be published shortly.

Full Price (non-members): Euro 260
ISCP members: Euro 220
Student (non-members): Euro 150
Student ISCP members: Euro 120

The fees will cover all lunches and coffee breaks, the welcome reception with standing dinner, the costs for renting venues for cultural events and guided sightseeing in Ljubljana.
Additionally, the fees will include conference materials such as bags, programs, printed information and the book of abstracts for all participants.
All scholars and graduate students are encouraged to become members or renew their ISCP membership prior to registering for the conference to receive reduced registration fees. Membership can be renewed or initiated by following this link: https://iscp-online1.org/membership/

Important note for reduced price registration:
Students: Please, send proof of your student status (a readable, high-resolution pdf or jpg image of your Student ID) to ISCPconference@PROTECTED with the subject “student status confirmation,” After verification, you will receive a password to use during the registration process.
ISCP members: Use this option only if you are a current ISCP member.
ISCP member and student member registrations will be checked against membership lists and proof of student status.

Unveiling the Conference Experience: A Preview
The 24th ISCP conference will also mark a major milestone in the history of our society as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. It will once again demonstrate that the Society, founded by Cheng Chung-Ying in 1975, has proven to be one of the most important bridges between Western and Chinese philosophy and an important platform for a much-needed transcultural philosophical dialog in the half century of its existence. With this historic meeting, we want to show that it has developed and will continue to flourish in a highly positive manner, demonstrating its respect for diversity and inclusion, which are also among the most important features of the Chinese philosophical tradition.

Precisely to demonstrate this deep respect for diversity and inclusion, which can unfold in the most exciting way through the exchange of ideas and knowledge as well as transcultural dialogues, this conference will also be the inaugural part of the European Summer of Chinese Philosophy 2025. The 24th ISCP Conference will convene in Ljubljana, Slovenia, from June 20 to 23. Following this, the 5th Conference of the European Association for Chinese Philosophy (EACP), themed "Selfhood and Externality," is scheduled for June 26 to 28 at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik (contact person: Geir Sigurðsson, email: geirs@PROTECTED). Subsequently, from July 4 to 6, the 1st Education Network of the European Association of Chinese Philosophy (EN-EACP) Conference will take place at the Free University of Berlin, Germany. This event is titled “Mirroring Civilizations: Paths Between Daoist and pre-Socratic Philosophies” (contact person: Fabian Heubel, email: fabian.heubel@PROTECTED). Details for the EACP and EN-EACP conferences will be announced in a later date.

This sequence offers a unique opportunity for scholars traveling from outside Europe to engage deeply with Chinese philosophy at three closely interconnected events. Participants can explore significant issues related to the influence of Chinese philosophy in the contemporary world while visiting three distinct, geographically and historically intriguing locations in Europe. Europe, with its vibrant mosaic of cultures, languages, and philosophies, provides an ideal setting for fostering transcultural dialogues between Chinese and Western philosophies. Hence, the 2025 European Summer of Chinese Philosophy, bridging three distinct yet equally charming European cultures, encourages a rich exchange of ideas and philosophical theories, enhancing the potential for meaningful transcultural interactions.

In this open-minded and inclusive manner, the celebratory 24th ISCP conference will focus on how Chinese philosophy can provide insights and principles to address global crises under the theme “Addressing Global Crises and Reimagining Solutions through Chinese Philosophy.”

The conference will feature a rich variety of subthemes, encouraging exploration across numerous fields. Notably, it will include, but not be confined to, the following topics:

1. Environmental Sustainability: Integrating Chinese philosophical principles into environmental policies can foster sustainable development and address issues like climate change and biodiversity loss.

2. Relationism and Role Ethics: Emphasizing interconnectedness and empathy, Chinese relational ethics offers valuable insights into fostering harmonious relationships.

3. Economic Equity and Political Balance: Chinese philosophy advocates for balance and equitable distribution, informing policies to reduce wealth disparities and promote inclusive growth.

4. Pacifist Ideas in Chinese Philosophy: Promoting peaceful coexistence and non-violent conflict resolution methods.

5. Theory of Perception: Exploring Chinese philosophical perspectives on perception offers alternative and new insights into understanding consciousness and the nature of reality.

6. Social Harmony and Conflict Resolution: Chinese philosophy offers valuable perspectives on conflict resolution and promoting peaceful coexistence.

7. Holistic Health and Well-being: Integrating principles from Daoism into healthcare systems can contribute to improving global health outcomes.

8. Time and Space in Chinese Philosophy: Offering unique perspectives on existence and the universe can help us in creating a new planetary ethics and axiology.

9. (Post)comparative and Transcultural Philosophy: Examining Chinese philosophy in relation to other traditions and modernities enriches the planetary philosophical discourse.

10. Chinese Philosophy and New Technologies: Exploring digital control, privacy, and freedom amidst technology advancements; balancing innovation with autonomy and investigating ethical frameworks for navigating digital landscapes.

The conference will not be limited to these fields but will welcome a broad range of topics, promoting transcultural exchange of knowledge and ideas. Through inclusive and respectful academic dialogues, we aim to contribute to solving today's axiological, social, and political crises, bridging cultures and traditions while fostering solidarity, diversity, and respecting individual dignity and integrity.

The Society will also feature the Charles Fu Foundation Best Essay Grant Competition, with details to be announced by a subsequent email and on the conference website in the coming weeks.

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