"Towards a Philosophy of Life: Reflections on the Concept of Life in Continental Philosophy of Religion," Liverpool Hope University, June 26-28, 2009.

"The question whether it is still possible to live is the form in which metaphysics impinges on us urgently today." (Adorno, Metaphysics: Concepts and Problems) Traditionally, a common conception of philosophy has been as a melete thanatou or 'meditation upon death.' However, in recent years it is the significance of the concept of 'life' which has begun to receive increasing attention in contemporary European philosophy. Indeed, writing in the wake of the brutalization of life in the death camps of Auschwitz, Adorno poses a central question for current philosophical debate on life, namely, 'How might life live?' The aim of this conference is to address this question and in doing so assess recent philosophies of life. In particular, the conference seeks to explore metaphysical, phenomenological, ethical and religious underpinnings of philosophies of life, especially in light of the emergence of 'continental philosophy of religion.' By enquiring into conceptions of life in contemporary philosophical and religious thought, this conference also aims to reconsider the key project of ancient philosophy: the teaching of the good life. Keynote Speakers: Dr. Pamela Sue Anderson (University of Oxford) Professor John D. Caputo (Syracuse University) Professor Don Cupitt (University of Cambridge) Professor Jean-Yves Lacoste (Institut Catholique, Paris) Professor John Milbank (University of Nottingham) Abstracts (no more than 500 words) are invited on a broad range of themes including: - The concept of life in philosophies of immanence and vitalism (Spinoza, Nietzsche, Bergson, Gilles Deleuze, Michel Henry, Alain Badiou, etc) - Life, power and politics (especially Foucault, and Giorgio Agamben) - Alterity, gift and life: deconstruction and phenomenology - Rethinking life in light of the body, natality and sexual difference: feminist philosophy of religion and feminist theology - Psychoanalysis (life, death and desire) - Theologies of life (creation, incarnation, sacrament and grace) We expect to publish a selection of papers from the conference proceedings. To submit an abstract (deadline: Friday 17 April, 2009), or for further information please email: Dr. Patrice Haynes - haynesp@hope.ac.uk.