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The British Personalist Forum

And its Journal Appraisal

For Personalist Philosophy

What other significance can our existence have than to be ourselves fully and completely? John Macmurray

News, Announcements, Conferences, Workshops

If you would like to add anything to our News page, please email us at: webmaster.britishpersonalist@gmail.com

Forthcoming Zoom Meetings on Polanyi-Related Topics

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the June 9-11, 2020 Polanyi Society-sponsored conference “Post-Critical Philosophy and Social Theory” has been cancelled. However, some papers and other elements of the cancelled conference will be presented as online events beginning in the period originally scheduled for the conference in Nashotah, WI. Anyone interested in participating can do so but all participants must register by e-mail for a specific Zoom session beforehand in order to be included. Registering is free and is simply a device to help set up a secure connection. If you register, you will be sent information which you can use to enter the Zoom meeting at the scheduled time.
Further information is available here. 26/5/20

New addition of Appraisal is now published

The latest edition of Appraisal, the first of Volume 12, is now available to view and download on the website. It's a special issue devoted to reviews of the excellent book, The Common Good: An Introduction to Personalism by Jonas Norgaard Mortensen. The reviews aside, there are some really thought provoking discussions about Personalism, which are good reads, even without knowing anything about the book. There is now a 'Comments' section at the end of each article and supporters are encouraged to add their own thoughts on ideas discussed in the articles. There should be some good and lively further discussion!

Letters to the Editor - new feature!

Supporters are now able to send letters to the Editor, a selection of which will be added to our new 'Letters to the Editor' page which is accessed through the Appraisal section of the website. These will then be appended to the next issue of Appraisal.

Our new website is launched

This is the new, updated version of our website, first launched on 2nd March 2020. With a completely new look and designed specifically for the online publication of our journal Appraisal, we hope you enjoy the improvements. We would appreciate any feedback or suggestions you might have. Please email webmaster.britishpersonalist@gmail.com with these or any other comments.

Appraisal is now open access

All pages, on the British Personalist Forum website, including all new issues of Appraisal, can now be accessed by everyone free of charge. To become a supporter is also now free with supporters being able post comments on articles in Appraisal and to add to our blog. There will also be no charges for publishing papers. We will maintain the same high academic standards for papers. The website and the forum will be funded purely by voluntary donations which can be given when joining as a supporter, publishing a paper or through our donations page. We will continue to be a forum for personalist views and academic contributions both for the UK and the international community.

Previous members who have already paid for volume 12 of Appraisal, and not already been refunded, can apply to the treasurer by email for a refund at: treasure. britishpersonalist@gmail.com or by post to 95 Castledine Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK, LE11 2DX.

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness by Robert Waldinger

This TED talk on happiness from 2015 was recently sent to the Editor during the Corona virus lock-down and seems particularly pertinent for Personalists: www.ted.com/talks/robert_waldinger_what_makes_a_good_life_lessons_from_the_longest_study_on_happiness

A Conference on Post-Critical Philosophy & Social Theory 9-11 June 2020 (Now Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic)

In June 2020, the Polanyi Society will sponsor a conference dedicated to exploring the abiding relevance of Michael Polanyi’s philosophical work, and in particular his social thought. Many of the socio-political and cultural dynamics of the early 21st century invite a reconsideration of the principles and practices that contribute to the maintenance of liberty, solidarity, and constructive pluralism. This conference will explore the enduring relevance of Polanyi’s philosophy for all such efforts, and will also include papers dedicated to other dimensions of Polanyi’s work.

The Society invites proposals for papers that examine Polanyi’s social and political thought, its development, and its relationship to other aspects of his work; comparative studies that examine Polanyi’s thought alongside that of others are welcome. The Society also encourages proposals on any topic related to Polanyi studies; the conference will accommodate presentations on a range of subjects. Initial proposals should be no more than 250 words, and can be sent to Andrew Grosso at <atgrosso@icloud.com>. The deadline for the submission is Thursday, 31 December 2019; proposals submitted thereafter will be considered only if the conference schedule allows it.

The first day of the conference will be dedicated to discussion of selections from Polanyi’s writings that set forth his thoughts on social dynamics. Senior Polanyi scholars will facilitate collaborative discussions about these texts, and these conversations will provide a framework for the rest of the conference.

There will also be a half-day pre-conference seminar for graduate students and those new to Polanyi studies. This seminar will provide an introductory overview of Polanyi’s life and philosophy, and will focus on Polanyi’s philosophy of science and its roots in his ideas about skills and articulation, subsidiary and focal awareness, and tacit knowing.

In addition to the initial details below, the most current information about the conference will be available on the Society’s website (polanyisociety.org).

The conference will convene at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, WI (west of Milwaukee). The nearest airport is General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, about 45 minutes away.