Issues in Modern Philosophy Conference

Each conference in the series examines the development of a central philosophical problem from early modern philosophy to the present, exploring the evolution of formulations of the problem and of approaches to resolving it. By examining the work of philosophers of the past both in historical context and in relation to contemporary philosophical thinking, the conferences allow philosophy’s past and present to illuminate one another.

Eighteenth Annual NYU Conference on Issues in Modern Philosophy: Love and Friendship

New York University, November 10-11, 2023

31 Washington Place Silver Center, Hemmerdinger Hall, New York, NY 10003

Registration is free but required. Registration is now open. Please register by November 1st, 2023. All questions about this conference should be directed to philo.modernconference@nyu.edu.

Program

Friday, November 10
9:30-9:55:           Check-in and Coffee

9:55-10:00:         Welcome

10:00-12:00:       Adam Smith

                           Speaker: Ryan Patrick Hanley (Boston College)

                           “Adam Smith on Social Progress and the Evolution of Love”

                           Commentator: Samuel Fleischacker (University of Illinois Chicago)

12:00-2:00:         Break

2:00-4:00:          Immanuel Kant

                            Speaker: Marcia Baron (Indiana University Bloomington)

                            “Reflections on Kant on Friendship”

                            Commentator: Kyla Ebels-Duggan (Northwestern University)

4:00-4:30:          Coffee Break

4:30-6:30:          German Romanticism

                           Speaker: Frederick Beiser (Syracuse University)

                           “The Romantic Conception of Love”

                           Commentator: Owen Ware (University of Toronto)

6:30-7:30:           Reception

Saturday, November 11
9:30-10:00:        Check-in and Coffee

10:00-12:00:       Friedrich Nietzsche

                           Speaker: Andrew Huddleston (University of Warwick)

                           "What Is This Thing Called Amor Fati?"

                           Commentator: Claire Kirwin (Northwestern University)

12:00-2:00:         Lunch Break

2:00-4:00:          Simone de Beauvoir

                           Speaker: Michelle Kosch (Cornell University)

                           “Beauvoir on Friendship and Devotion”

                           Commentator: Susan J. Brison (Dartmouth College)

4:00-4:30:          Coffee Break

4:30-6:30:          Contemporary

                           Speaker: Simon May (King's College London)

                           "In What Way Have We Got Love Wrong Today?"

                           Commentator: Alexander Nehamas (Princeton University)

6:30-7:30:           Reception

Past Conferences

Disability Accommodations and Contact Information

The Philosophy Department provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests for accommodations should be submitted to philosophy@nyu.edu at least three weeks before the event.

Please email philo.modernconference@nyu.edu with any questions about the conference.