The BSPR’s Sixteenth Conference

Creativity and Creation

4th – 6th September, 2025

Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford

Keynote Speakers:

The 2025 conference theme encompasses both human creativity and divine creation, across the full range of religious and philosophical traditions, theistic or otherwise. Presentations may focus on either human creativity or divine creation, or consider the relationship between the two. They may explore the metaphysics, ethics or phenomenology of creative acts (human or divine). We welcome philosophical reflection on the role of the arts in religious life and thought. We also want to consider the creative aspects of philosophical work itself. Conceptual and historical approaches are equally welcome, and attention to both practice and theory is warmly encouraged.

Questions addressed by the conference may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• What is the relationship between human creativity and divine creation?
• To what extent is philosophical thinking a creative activity?
• How can we think philosophically about the role of the arts in religious life?
• What is the connection between creativity and desire / knowledge / freedom / flourishing?
• What account of agency underpins our conceptions of creation and creativity?
• How do alternative models of theism (e.g. pantheism, panentheism, polytheism, classical monotheism) conceptualise creation?

These questions are attracting attention in recent scholarship, and the conference organisers are keen to examine the relevant issues from the vantage point of philosophy of religion as broadly conceived. We welcome papers taking a philosophical and/or theological approach to all aspects of creation and creativity, including secular and diverse religious perspectives. We also encourage submissions from scholars who seek to make connections with other disciplines, such as religious studies, psychology, literature, and cognitive science. Members of under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to submit an abstract.

Those interested in presenting a short paper should send a proposal of no more than 250 words in a Word document to Dr David Worsley (david.worsley@york.ac.uk) no later than 31 March 2025. Please include the paper's title, and your name, institutional affiliation, and email address (these are not included in the 250 word word limit). We expect to notify people about whether their proposals have been accepted by 30 April 2025.

Some partial bursaries (including bursaries to cover the cost of childcare) may be available for participants who do not have another source of funding for attending the conference, with preference for these given to those who are presenting a paper. If you anticipate being in need of a bursary, please indicate this in your submission.

Conference registration is available here.

Please note, if you pay for a meal and you have a specific dietary requirement, please could you write to the BSPR Secretary, david.worsley@york.ac.uk , at some point before August 19th to register this. Such information will be passed on to Lady Margaret Hall.

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