June 30 - July 8, 2010 Washington, DC
as a
philosophy, as an intellectual movement, and as a way of living. Desirable subjects include the history of aspects of rational philosophy in general and Objectivism in particular, insights on the life, work, and writing of Ayn Rand, and related subjects such as the themes and sample topics listed on the adjacent column. Talks will generally be 40 minutes long including short Q&A periods. (Extended questioning of the speakers will be encouraged during breaks after each talk.) Talks will be recorded (some video taped) and will be made available to participants and those who have to miss the conference. If interested in presenting, let us know your topic, which of the themes listed below you think it belongs to (or list an additional theme). Describe the primary questions or realms of interest your talk would deal with. Note what would make your talk supportive in the advancement of knowledge or applications of Objectivism and of open Objectivism in particular. Please include an outline of content and your interest in and qualifications for providing this presentation. Multiple proposals and two-part talks are welcome. Email your proposal(s) as a plain Word document. Later we'll seek a pdf version. Please send by January 1, 2010. Notifications of acceptance or non-acceptance of your proposal(s) will be sent in mid-January. Those who submit proposals but are not accepted will receive a consolation prize of a ten percent reduction in the early-bird conference fee equal to $55. If we accept your proposal, you'll be required to submit a detailed outline in two to three pages and a one-paragraph biographical statement in pdf format for us to use in a conference handout. The Daily Schedule: Four plenary meetings will be held each morning for six days. If your talk is selected for a plenary session, you'll receive free enrollment. In some special cases, a modest honorarium may be available to help cover your expenses. If you are selected for one of the breakout sessions in the afternoon you will receive a 50% discount on the enrollment fee. We expect a lot of interest and participation in this Summer Seminar, so the earlier you submit your proposal the better. Looking forward to hearing from you and glad to answer any questions. Fred Stitt, Director Kate Herrick, Conference Coordinator The Free Minds Foundation | Suggested Themes and Topics Track 1: Open Objectivism Sample topics: • Open Versus Closed Objectivism • Growth of Pro-Reason Organizations • Philosophy and Academia Track 2: Brain, Mind, and Reason Sample topics: • The Structure of the Brain • The Nature of Consciousness • Thought Processes of Great Minds
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