I. Sponsored by:

The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (RVP)

The International Society for Metaphysics (ISM)

The World Union of Catholic Philosophy Societies (WUCPS)

Soongsil University, Seoul, Korea

Korean Organizing Committe for the World Congress of Philosophy

II. Theme:

The theme of the 2008 World Congress of Philosophy in Seoul, "Rethinking Philosophy Today" is most appropriate. The year 2000 proved not only to be the beginning of a new millennium, but also the end of the 400 years of the modern era. Philosophers had already begun to speak of a post-modern era, and the attempt to enter this new global arena in terms of the old coordinates of control for national self-interests has quickly shown itself to be a formula for disaster. It is truly time to rethink the philosophical enterprise, to look for a new paradigm able to integrate the achievements of the past while moving into a radically new era.

As groundwork for this broad task The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy (RVP) -- with the International Society for Metaphysics (ISM), the World Union of Catholic Philosophical Societies (WUCPS) and Soongsil University -- will hold a more focused conference in Seoul during the three days immediately prior the World Congress of Philosophy.

Global times now endow -- and challenge -- philosophy with a broad diversity of cultures and civilizations. At the same time the progressive deepening of human concerns reaches beyond what is clear and distinct to what is of meaning and value, and beyond that which is universal and necessary to free human creativity, that is to say, to the persons and communities which over time and space have cumulatively generated cultural traditions. These two dimensions: one of global breadth and the other of the depth of the human spirit, now combine to open new sources for philosophy as the work of the human spirit.

            Thus this pre-World Congress meeting will have as its theme "Philosophy Emerging from Culture". Its intent will be to examine this new dynamic of philosophy, moving now not only top-down to restrictively apply broad principles, but bottom-up from the full breadth of human experience and creativity to evolve more rich vision which can liberate and guide.

            The conference will elaborate this theme in a careful three-step sequence, with a full day devoted to each sub-theme: "The Dynamics of Change"; "The Nature of Cultures"; and "The Challenge of Global Interchange of Civilizations". Thus each morning session will consist of three studies of the day's sub-theme, each with a substantive 25 minute introduction, followed by 45 minutes of open discussion. This will assure a penetrating unfolding of each issue and reflect the full breath of the global philosophical horizons of the participants. In the afternoon parallel sessions will enable the participants to delve further into the days theme with 20 minute papers followed by equal time for open and substantive reflection upon the perspectives introduced.

              Submission of papers: All prospective speakers are requested to submit by March 31, 2008 a 500 word summary of their paper. These will be preprinted, along with the full texts of those selected for presentation in the morning sessions. After the conference all speakers will be asked to submit by December 1, 2008 for publication a fully elaborated edition of their paper with no upper page limit, supporting their argument with notes and references and integrating the contributions made during their discussion in Seoul.

Draft Program

General Sessions: Mornings

Parallel sessions in the afternoons will be devoted to the day's subtheme.

1. The Dynamics of Change: What remains of modernity and why is it no longer adequate for philosophy?

a.       in defense of modernity: its lasting heritage

b.      the critique of modernity

c.       the philosophical dynamics of the transition to a global era

2. The Nature of Culture and its Potential as a Philosophical Source

a.       the subjective turn

b.      the new awareness of values and virtues, cultures and civilizations

c.       the emergence of philosophy from culture

3. The Challenges and Opportunities for Philosophy from the Global Interaction of Cultures and Civilizations

a.       philosophy expanded to global horizons

b.      philosophy deepened to basic meaning and values

c.       philosophy and the integration of radical diversity: again, the one and the many

III. Accommodations for both the pre-Congress conference and the World Congress of Philosophy

 (a) Soongsil University Dormitory:

Location:

This older student dormitory is located within the campus of Soongsil University; one can walk to the location of the pre-Congress conference.

Facilities:

Multiple room occupancy with a public bathroom and shower on every floor.

Cost: 

No room charge; a one-time administrative charge of about KRW 50,000 ($54); bedding to be purchased on site; further necessities reasonably charged reasonably.

(b) 7 Residence Seoul University Stn.:

Location:

About half an hour from Soongsil University by public transportation (subway 1.20 $).

Full Facilities:

Business Lounge, Coin Laundry Room, Fitness center, American breakfast at restaurant on 1 Floor.

Daily Cost:

Studio Single / Double – KRW 70,000 (approx. 76 $)

Premium Single /Double – KRW 90,000 (approx. 98 $)

IV. Transportation         

From the airport to Soongsil University

(a) At the 4A or 10B bus stops at Incheon Airport take airport limousine bus to Gangnam Express Bus Terminal or Central City (final bus stop).  Buses leave every 10 minutes; approximately 60 minutes to destination; bus fare: 13,000 won or approx US$14.00.

(b) Then from Gangnam Express Bus Terminal subway station, take the subway line No. 7 bound for Onsu and get off at the Soongsil University Station. Also it is convenient to take a Taxi; average fare approximately KRW10,000 or US$11.00.

From Soongsil University to the World Congress of Philosophy at Seoul National University

(a) There is direct bus service from the front of Soongsil University to Seoul University. You may reach there within 30 minutes.

(b) The organizing committee is planning a shuttle bus service between Soongsil University and Seoul University for which there will be additional fare.

V. The Contact Information:

1. Pre-Congress Conference Registration:

Email to: cua-rvp@cua.edu

Name:

Institution:

Field of specialization:

Contact information:

Address:

Telephone:

Fax:

Email:

Paper:

- title and abstract

- subsection of the program to which your paper relates

2. Accommodations for both dormitory rooms and Residence for both the July 27-29 pre-Congress conference and the World Congress of Philosophy:

Meci Tour, (Ms. Samantha Kim)

E-mail: wcp2008@mecitour.com

Tel: + 82-2-2082-2316  

Fax: +82-2-2082-2300    

3. General inquires regarding logistics for the Pre-Congress Conference:

WCP2008 Secretariat (Ms. Yoon-Hye Kim)

E-mail: secretariat@wcp2008.or.kr  

Phone: +82-2-2082-2310

Fax: +82-2-2082-2314

4. Contact Information for the World Congress of Philosophy: 

WCP2008 Secretariat

E-mail: secretariat@wcp2008.or.kr  

Phone: +82-2-2082-2310

Fax: +82-2-2082-2314