October 25, 2004

Kant scholars meet at Purdue philosophy conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue's Department of Philosophy is holding a two-day conference to discuss the works of German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

The Midwest Study Group of North American Kant Society Conference, which is free and open to the public, is Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 30 and 31).

Kant, 1724-1804, is best known for his interests in metaphysics, ethical theory and aesthetics. The study group was founded in 1995 by Manfred Kuehn, a professor in Purdue's philosophy department, to promote interaction among Kant scholars.

Patrick Kain, assistant professor of philosophy at Purdue, will present "Kant's Metaphysical Conception of Moral Status" at 2 p.m. Saturday in Stewart Center, Room 202.

Stephen Darwall, professor of philosophy from the University of Michigan, will present the keynote address, "Why Kant Needs the Second-Person Standpoint," at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Stewart Center, Room 202. Darwall also is speaking as part of the Department of Philosophy Fall 2004 Colloquium Series at 4:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 29). His talk, "Second-Personal Reasons and the Dignity of Persons," is in Beering Hall, Room 2290.

For a complete list of conference speakers and times, call the Department of Philosophy at (765) 494-4276 or visit the web site.

"Kant is most famous for his three critiques, 'Critique of Pure Reason,' 'Critique of Practical Reason' and 'Critique of Judgment,'" said Jacqueline Mariña, Purdue associate professor of philosophy and chair of the Religious Studies Program. "His first critique changed the course of modern philosophy. It is no exaggeration to say that one cannot be a philosopher without in some way coming to terms with his work.

The conference is made possible with funds from the North American Kant Society and Purdue philosophy professor Jan Cover's appointment as a University Faculty Scholar. These scholars are select associate and full professors who have been tenured within the last five years and are recognized for their distinction in scholarship.

CONTACT: Jacqueline Mariña, (765) 494-3979, marinaj@purdue.edu

Writer: Amy Patterson-Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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