Graduate Seminar 2007
Graduate Seminar in Objectivist Philosophy and Method
Focus: Moral Knowledge
To be held on the campus of George Washington University, Washington, D.C., August 5–10, 2007
Details of topics, schedule, assignments, and readings are available in the Graduate Seminar Syllabus (revised to include GWU logistics information, timing of dailing schedule, and properly formated bibliography, updated July 25, 2007).
Seminar Description:
The Graduate Seminar in Objectivist Philosophy and Method is a week of lectures, discussions, and workshops designed for graduate students, junior faculty, and post-doctoral scholars of philosophy and related fields such as history, political science, and psychology. It is organized by The Atlas Society (TAS), formerly known as The Objectivist Center (TOC).
TAS founder David Kelley, Ph.D. will be the lead instructor for this intimate and intensive week of intellectual development. He will be assisted by TAS Director of Programs William R Thomas, M.A., and possibly other faculty as yet to be named.
Instruction in 2007 will focus on the topic of moral knowledge. Questions to be addressed include: How do we know what morality is (i.e., how do we validate a meta-ethical theory of moral concepts and basic principles)? What do we need to know to apply moral principles in making choices, setting goals, judging others, improving ourselves—and how do we acquire that knowledge? In discussing these questions, we will examine the Objectivist theory and relate it to other prominent approaches in academic philosophy.
The Graduate Seminar will be held August 5 – 10 at George Washington University in downtown Washington, D.C, near the TAS offices. Attendance will be strictly limited to maintain a productive small-group setting and maximize the benefit participants can gain from taking part. Students taking part will be required to write a short paper. A full syllabus will be posted online in May.
The seminar is free of charge to qualified student and professional scholar participants. Participants are provided with a single room on the G.W.U. campus and a stipend to cover food expenses at the seminar. A limited number of travel stipends to a maximum of $300 will also be available, with preference in making travel awards given to those who apply by May 16.
(Applications from non-professional scholars with exceptional qualifications will be considered, though few or none may be accepted, and any such participants would need to pay a seminar fee of $900 or $180/day.)
Get the application form.
The early application deadline is May 15, 2007.
Early applicants will be notified about their acceptance by May 21. Preference will be given to early applicants in acceptance and travel stipend award decisions. Applicants who need a decision before May 20 are welcome to request an early decision at the time that they apply.
Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis through July 11, 2005.
Late applicants will be notified regarding their acceptance on a rolling basis, but no later than July 16. Acceptance of late applicants will depend on available space and funds.
Questions? Contact w thomas at Atlas Society dot org for more information.