Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy

Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy is a professional organization dedicated to the study and promotion of phenomenology and existentialism, with a focus on the works of philosophers such as Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The organization was founded in 1962 by a group of scholars, including Calvin Schrag and James Edie, with the goal of fostering dialogue and collaboration among researchers in the fields of philosophy, literary theory, and cultural studies. SPEP has since become a leading forum for the discussion of continental philosophy, with members from institutions such as Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and New York University. The organization's activities are closely tied to those of other professional associations, such as the American Philosophical Association and the International Husserl and Phenomenology Research Society.

● History

The history of the organization is closely tied to the development of phenomenology and existentialism in the United States, with key figures such as Hubert Dreyfus and Richard Rorty playing important roles in shaping the organization's agenda. The early years of SPEP were marked by a focus on the works of European philosophers such as Gabriel Marcel and Karl Jaspers, as well as the development of new areas of research, including hermeneutics and deconstruction. The organization's growth and expansion were also influenced by the work of scholars such as Hannah Arendt and Emmanuel Levinas, who were instrumental in introducing the ideas of continental philosophy to a broader audience. SPEP's history is also closely tied to that of other organizations, such as the Society for the Study of Husserl's Philosophy and the International Association for Philosophy and Literature.

● Organization

The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes prominent scholars such as John Sallis and Dennis Schmidt, and is advised by a council of distinguished philosophers, including Robert Bernasconi and Judith Butler. The organization's administrative headquarters are located at the Pennsylvania State University, and it has close ties to other institutions, such as the University of Chicago and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. SPEP also has a number of regional divisions, including the Midwest Division and the Pacific Division, which organize conferences and other events throughout the year. The organization's activities are also supported by a number of affiliated organizations, including the North American Nietzsche Society and the Heidegger Circle.

● Conferences

The organization hosts an annual conference, which features keynote addresses by prominent scholars such as Slavoj Žižek and Alain Badiou, as well as panel discussions and workshops on topics such as poststructuralism and critical theory. The conference is typically held at a major university, such as University of Michigan or University of Texas at Austin, and attracts scholars from around the world, including Australia, Canada, and Europe. SPEP also sponsors a number of smaller conferences and workshops throughout the year, including the Annual Meeting of the Husserl Circle and the International Conference on Merleau-Ponty. The organization's conferences are often held in conjunction with those of other organizations, such as the American Catholic Philosophical Association and the Society for the Study of Philosophy and Theology.

● Publications

The organization publishes a number of journals and book series, including the Journal of Speculative Philosophy and the Continental Philosophy Review, which feature articles by prominent scholars such as Jean-Luc Nancy and Giorgio Agamben. SPEP also publishes a newsletter, which includes news and announcements about the organization's activities, as well as reviews of new books and conferences. The organization's publications are closely tied to those of other presses, such as the University of Chicago Press and the MIT Press, and are widely read by scholars in the fields of philosophy, literary theory, and cultural studies. SPEP's publications are also available online, through databases such as JSTOR and Project MUSE.

● Membership

Membership in the organization is open to scholars and students from around the world, and includes benefits such as discounted registration fees for conferences and access to the organization's publications. Members of SPEP include prominent scholars such as Rebecca Goldstein and Christina Hoff Sommers, as well as graduate students and young researchers from institutions such as Yale University and University of California, Los Angeles. The organization also offers a number of awards and prizes, including the SPEP Graduate Student Award and the SPEP Book Prize, which recognize outstanding contributions to the fields of phenomenology and existentialism. Members of SPEP are also eligible to participate in the organization's Mentorship Program, which pairs established scholars with graduate students and young researchers.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The mission of the organization is to promote the study and discussion of phenomenology and existentialism, and to foster dialogue and collaboration among researchers in the fields of philosophy, literary theory, and cultural studies. The organization's objectives include the promotion of interdisciplinary research and the development of new areas of study, such as environmental philosophy and philosophy of technology. SPEP also seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of social and political issues, such as justice and human rights, and to promote the work of underrepresented groups in the fields of philosophy and literary theory. The organization's mission and objectives are closely tied to those of other organizations, such as the American Philosophical Association and the International Association for Philosophy and Literature. Category:Philosophy organizations