Call for papers : towards a sociology of philosophical practice

Enrahonar 22, 1994 109-1 11 Cal1 for papers Towards a sociology of philosophical practice Josep Montserrat i Torrents Departament de Filosofia. Universirat Autonoma de Barcelona 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona). Spain Who are we philosophers? Like the cosmic egg, this <cwho?» includes a host of other questions such as: how many of us are there?; where do we phiIosophise?; what income do we gain from our philosopnicai activity; through which media do we express ourselves?; who pays us?; who directs us?; who censures us?; who buys what we write?. . ., and so on until a complete picture emerges of the philosopher in society at the end of the twentieth century. In order to arrive at significant answers to these questions, the science of sociology wouId propose and implement a range or carefully conceived surveys,with their inevitable ((universes)) and amusing ((margins of error)). Perhaps it may come to that, but it would suffice if philosophers were to establish a forum for free and spontaneous debate on tne subject of the various ways in which philosophers (rather than philosophy) are present in today's world. The journal Enrabonar aims to open such a forum. It therefore invites philosophers and other professionals in the field of philosophy briefly to give their points of view in written statements of approxima~el~ 100 lines on any of the numerous aspects concerning the role of philosophers in present-day society. These communications will be published in successive issues of Enrabonav. In due course, and following a period of open debate through the pages of the journal, new ways of furthering our inquiry will be considered, as well as the advisability of referring to specialists in sociology. Right now, our most pressing concern is to gather a body of strong and substantial personal impressions. In order to clarifj the subject of tne proposed debate, and with a view to encouraging prospective participants, there follows a rough draft of the list of the various topics which might combine to form a picture of the philosopher in today's world. The inquiry could hinge on two general aspects: a) social groupings; b) ideological dependency. Moreover, other pardel and tangential aspects could be included if wished. 110 Enrahonar 22, 1994 Josep Montserrar i Torrenrs A) Soclal groupings: institutions 1. Universicy institutions. Philosphy degrees. 2. The philosopher in non-university teaching institutions. 3. Research institutes. - With regard to 1, 2 and 3: public bodies (the various authorities) or private (religious or lay). 4. Cultural institutions (public or private). 5. Publishing companies. 6. Magazines. 7. National and internationai associations. 8. Congresses. 9. Sponsorships, foundations, financing, awards. B) Social groupings: individuals 1. Civil servants (Socrates figure). 2. Contracted. - 1 and 2: modes of association and contracting. 3. Independent. 4. Writers. 5. Payments. C) Geogaphic distribution 1. Planetar~ regions. 2. Countries. 3. Languages. D) Dependency 1. Democratic states. 2. Totalitarian states. 3. Theocratic states. 4. Religions and churches. 5. Sects. 6. Ideological trends. 7. Political parties. 8. Strictly philosophical trends. E) How the philosopher in society is reflected F) Publications on the subject The topics explored by our spontaneous contriburtors should inter-relate those questions listed above or on any others as long as they refer to the figure of the philosopher rather than to philosophy. Some examples of inter-rela- ted fields are: Vers una sociologia de I'exercici filosbfic Enrahonar 22, 1994 11 1 - Incongruities in the ~~philosopher-teacher-civil servantn chain. - Philosophy as a profession. - The demand for philosophers. - Quality assessment. - Comparison between the philosopher researcher and the scientific researcher. - Religious philosophical institutions. Their impact on teaching, research, publications, the professional market.. . - Ideological dependency of associations, congresses, etc.. . - Declared censorship (nihil obstat); undeclared censorship: political, economic, ideological. Self-censorship. - The imperialism of the major languages. - Philosophy's «happy few». - Financing for the publication of theses. - Philosophers of merit who have no access to the public. - Advertising techniques for the promotion of authors. - Analysis of some recent phenomena in the promotion of philosophy (les nouveawcphilosophes, Derrida in the United States, Vattimo.. .). - Disproportion benveen the number of works published and the number of actual teaders of philosophy. - Criteria used by editors in selecting the authors they publish. Editors who pay and editors who are paid to publish. - Analysis of cycles such as the following: an university lecturer who has a book published by his own University Press and then has the book reviewed by a colleague of that same university in the university magazine. Contributions to this debate should not exceed 100 lines, and may be submitted in the following languages: Catalan, Spanish, French, English, German, Italian and Portuguese. They should be sent to: ENRAHONAR. Departament de Filosofia. Universitat Autbnoma de Barcelona. 08 193 Bellaterra (Barcelona). Spain.