24th Conference of the European Society for Philosophy of Religion (ESPR)
HUMAN NATURE AND RELIGION
September 5-7, 2024, University of Trento, Department of Humanities, Trento (Italy),
ESPR Conference 2024 will focus on the theme of "human nature" from the perspective of the
philosophy of religion and theology. Although the notion of human nature may be questioned from
different perspectives and even rejected (for example, from the standpoint of evolutionary biology,
cultural anthropology, and moral relativism), it plays a significant role in philosophical reflection. On the
one hand, "human nature" has a descriptive meaning that consists of the set of physical, biological, and
cognitive components distinguishing human beings from other living and non-living entities and making
them unique. On the other hand, "human nature" has a prescriptive meaning, indicating the set of
attitudes, abilities, and actions that make human beings rich in value and human life rich in meaning. In
this sense, the notion of human nature still seems ethically relevant, especially today when technology
can radically transform human beings. ESPR Conference 2024 invites papers exploring those issues
within the following sub-themes:
Sub-theme 1: Metaphysical and Epistemological Issues
Sub-theme 2: Human Nature, Human Destiny, and Transhumanism
Sub-theme 3: Human Nature and Religious Diversity
Sub-theme 4: Ethical and Political Issues