CSSP SPRING WORKSHOP Scottish Philosophy and the Social Sciences Princeton , 1st-2nd February 2008
Scottish philosophy in the 18th century was remarkable for the stimulus it gave to the empirical study of mind and society. Most famous in this respect was Adam Smith, Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow and author of The Wealth of Nations, widely regarded as the founding text of modern economics.. But Smith was by no means alone. David Hume made contributions to politics and economics, as well as being a celebrated historian, Adam Ferguson, Professor of Moral Philosophy at Edinburgh is generally identified as one of the most important founding figures in sociology, and Thomas Reid’s Inquiry into the Human Mind laid the foundations for the empirical psychology which emerged during the 19th century.
The CSSP Spring Workshop 2008 is devoted to discussing themes drawn from these four important authors. As befits a workshop, the emphasis will be on discussion. In addition to four themed sessions, philosophers and social scientists, both Faculty and graduate students, are invited to make short reports to a general session on ‘Work in Progress’.
PROGRAM
Friday 1st Feb 1.30-3.00 pm
"Smithian Constructivism" Jack Russell Weinstein and James R. Otteson
Jack Russell Weinstein is a Visiting Fellow at the Center for the Study of Scottish Philosophy in January/February 2008. He is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Dakota His publications include On Adam Smith (Wadsworth, 2001) and he is guest editor of a forthcoming symposium on “Adam Smith and Education” in The Adam Smith Review.
James R Otteson is Professor of Economics and Philosophy and Director of the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein Honors Program at Yeshiva University, New York..His publications include Adam Smith’s Market Place of Life (Cambridge University Press, 2002) and his book Actual Ethics (Cambridge University Press, 2006) won first place in the 2007 Templeton Enterprise Awards.
3- 4.15 pm "Reid on Practical Ethics and Moral Psychology" Gordon Graham and Ryan Nichols
Gordon Graham is Henry Luce III Professor of Philosophy and the Arts at Princeton Theological Seminary and Director of the Center for the Study of Scottish Philosophy. His publications include the edited volume Scottish Philosophy 1690-1960 Selected Writings (Imprint Academic 2004).
Ryan Nichols is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Cal State Fullerton and author of Thomas Reid's Theory of Perception. (Oxford University Press, 2007).
6.30pm
Reception and Workshop Banquet
Saturday 2nd Feb
9am “Hume and Political Economy” Carl Wennerlind
Car Wennerlind is Assistant Professor of History at Barnard College, Columbia University. He is editor (with Margaret Schabas) of David Hume’s Political Economy (Routledge 2007)
10.15
"Adam Ferguson and the Study of Society" Eugene Heath
Eugene Heath is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Chair of Department at SUNY New Paltz. His publications include Adam Ferguson: Selected Political Writings (Imprint Academic 2007).
11.30-1pm
Work in Progress: Open session
All sessions will be held in Luce Hall, 50 Stockton Street, Princeton (Center of Theological Inquiry). There is no registration fee. Conference dinner $25 dollars. To register and book dinner please email cssp@ptsem.edu NB the workshop is limited to 20 participants. Places will be allocated on a first come/first served basis. Overnight accommodation at a discounted rate is available at Hyatt Place on Highway 1. Call the hotel directly at 609-720-0200 and book under Princeton Seminary Scottish Philosophy group block.