Edith Stein: Women, Social-Political Philosophy, Metaphysics and Public History: New Approaches and Applications

Over the last 20 years, Edith Stein’s (1891–1942) philosophy has garnered much attention. Headway has been made in understanding Stein’s contributions to key questions in philosophical anthropology, metaphysics, feminism, philosophy of religion and social-political philosophy. The Centre for Advanced Research in European Philosophy at King’s University College welcomes paper and panel proposals for its upcoming conference to be held on June 12, 13 and 14, 2013. This conference has two central foci: to bring together scholars and philosophers to discuss key aspects of Edith Stein’s philosophical legacy as well as develop new approaches and applications that stem directly from Stein’s philosophy, especially in a global context. To this end, we welcome abstracts that address such questions as:

  1. What can Edith Stein’s writings on women contribute to contemporary feminist debates?
  2. What contribution can Edith Stein’s social and political philosophy make to contemporary discussions in national and transnational political theory, social and political philosophy, law and the nature of the state?
  3. Can Stein’s metaphysics and philosophy of religion be brought to bear on contemporary debates in the philosophy of religion and metaphysics?
  4. How are we to evaluate Edith Stein’s philosophical contributions to contemporary issues in philosophy of mind and psychology?
  5. What do various public representations of Edith Stein (in such things as biographies, paintings, icons, plays, operas, poems, film, religious rites, etc.) communicate about her legacy and philosophy? How do they contribute to current explorations in the nature of public memory?

We also welcome scholarly contributions on any aspect of Edith Stein’s thought or legacy as well as its connection to other thinkers. Abstracts should be no more than 500 words in length. Panel proposals should be no more than 750 words in length. We welcome papers in Spanish, French, German and English. Please send abstracts via email to:

Antonio Calcagno, PhD
acalcagn@uwo.ca