Events

We live in the ending of an age. The age that ends may be just the modern period. But the ending of the modern period differs from the ending of previous periods, such as the classical or the medieval. The amazing achievements of modernity make it possible, even likely, that its end will also be the end of civilization, of many species, or even of the human species. At the same time, there are many new beginnings that give promise of an ecological civilization.

The Keynote for this conference is environmentalist and author of The End of Nature and Eaarth, Bill McKibbin, speaking on “Climate Warming as a Civilizational Crisis." Also speaking: Vandana Shiva, Sheri Liao, John B. Cobb, Jr. Herman Daly, Wes Jackson, David Ray Griffin, and Harvey Cox.

It is the conviction of the organizers of this conference that the problems we face are deeper than mere technical problems commonly addressed by American and Chinese participants in this civilization, and are rooted in a mechanistic, domineering, ecologically-unsustainable world-view that must be changed if we are to survive and flourish beyond our current difficulties. A new, ecologically-grounded world-view must be elaborated and  brought to bear on our problems before it is too late. The conference believes that the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead is just the worldview to answer this global crisis.

Most of this 3-day conference will be devoted to meeting in smaller groups about particular topics. These groups are structured in 12 Sections (each with tracks that meet eight times over the conference). Each section will begin with a section plenary. Sections include (but not limited to):

• The Threatening Catastrophe: Responding Now
• Alienation from Nature: How it Arose
• Re-envisioning Nature; Re-envisioning Science
• Ecological Civilization
• Reimagining and Reinventing the Wisdom Traditions
• The Transformative Power of Art

Although some tracks will discuss the relevance of Whitehead’s thought explicitly, others will not. To indicate how his basic ideas are nevertheless reflected throughout the conference, each of the opening section plenaries will discuss one of Whitehead’s ideas that has particular relevance to that part of the conference.Even if you have no interest in Whiteheadian philosophy, we invite you to work with us for an ecological civilization.

BREAKING NEWS: Look for the "ANIMA MUNDI" Track (Section 12, Track 6) with presentations by Craig Chalquist, Steve Aizenstat, Bonnie Bright, Gary Bobroff, and Ed Santana, among others. A breakdown of the presentations and topics should be posted soon!

Schedule

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