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We are inviting proposals of individual papers from established scholars, creative writers and research students in the fields of literature, theology, philosophy and comparative studies.

For the first time we are also inviting proposals for panels of up to four scholars. 

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Papers addressing one or more of the following topics, whether from a theoretical viewpoint or in relation to specific writers or texts, are welcome: 

 

• The call of literature, its nature, significance and distinctiveness – theologically, philosophically or literarily

• The call of literature as experienced by fiction writers and poets 

• Philosophers and theologians favourable or unfavourable towards poetry and fiction

• Theology and philosophy in works of fiction

• Theologians as poets and fiction writers

• Philosophers as poets and fiction writers 

• 'What is a classic?' (T.S. Eliot, 1944)

• Didactic poetry: its appeal or lack of it, past or present

• Sacred scriptures as literature 

• Poetry and fiction as ‘secular’ scriptures

• The call to read as a call to change: issues around transformative reading and ethical and religious discernment

• The dangers of reading: accepting and rejecting them

• What is the ‘truth’ of literature, whether fiction or poetry? 

• ‘Beauty is truth, truth beauty’: is that all we know and all we need to know?

 

The list, however, is by no means exclusive.

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The language of the conference will be English.

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If you wish to be considered for a presentation (20 minutes), please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words and the presentation's working title, together with a brief curriculum vitae.

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