Presented by the Departments of Philosophy at

the University of Denver and Marquette University

and

the University of Denver’s Center for Judaic Studies

July 10-12, 2013 at the University of Denver

Organizers:

Prof. Sarah Pessin, University of Denver

&

Prof. Richard C. Taylor, Marquette University

MANY THANKS TO THE PARTICIPANTS FOR ANOTHER DELIGHTFULLY STIMULATING EVENT AT THIS 5TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON PHILOSOPHY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS. NEXT YEAR WE RETURN TO MILWAUKEE.

SARAH PESSIN AND RICHARD TAYLOR

This Conference is intended to provide a formal occasion and central location for philosophers and scholars of the Arabic / Islamic, Jewish and Latin Christian philosophical traditions of the Middle Ages  to present and discuss their current work in medieval philosophy.

First held at Marquette University in 2008, this Summer Conference alternates between the University of Denver and Marquette University.

Conference Proposal Submission Guidelines

Established Scholars: send a title and tentative abstract.

Graduate Students: send a title, abstract, CV and a supporting letter from your faculty advisor or dissertation director.

NOTE: Abstracts should be 150 words or fewer.

Send applications by email to Prof. Sarah Pessin at spessin@du.edu.

OPENING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 7 December 2012.

The Selection Committee will choose presenters on the basis of quality of proposals (title and abstract) and scholarly record as the primary criteria.

PROGRAM ANNOUNCED: April. The first review of submissions will take place March 1. This date should be considered the deadline for submissions since it is likely that the conference program will be completed at that time. Presenters will be asked to confirm their participation by paying the registration fee when offered the conference slot. Otherwise the program slot may be offered to one of the alternates.

Conference Registration Fee of $35 includes:

Conference attendance for all three days

Breakfast: bagels, fruit, pastry, coffee, tea, water

After-lunch: coffee, tea, water, snacks

For the Registration Form, click HERE.

NOTE: The organizers may be willing to consider video presentations

followed by discussion via Skype for one or two sessions. Scholars

outside the U.S. who are interested in this possibility should contact

the organizers to discuss that possibility.

SCHEDULE

Wednesday July 10, 2013:

8:30-9:00 am: Breakfast

9:00-10:10  Session 1

“Models of Physical Light in the Mid-Thirteenth-Century: Aristotelian and Arabic Influences” Therese Scarpelli Cory, PhD, Seattle University

10:10-11:20  Session 2

“Avicenna on the Subordination of the Sciences” Nathan Poage, University of St. Thomas (Houston)

11:20-11:30 Break

11:30-12:40  Session 3

“Aristotle, Philoponus, and Avicenna on the Method of Physics” Andreas Lammer, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich (video-conference presentation)

12:40-2:00: Lunch (NOTE: Fresh Coffee and Tea will be available after lunch – details TBA). Some lunch options on University and Evans: Jason’s Thai (on Evans and corner of Asbury), Jordan’s Bistro (on University just off Evans), pizza, Starbucks, Brueggers, Subway, etc.!

2:00-3:10  Session 4

“The Philosophical Theology of Ibn Taymiyya” Jon Hoover, PhD, University of Nottingham, UK

3:10-4:20  Session 5

“Axiomatic Method in Anselm and Aquinas” Joseph A. Novak, PhD, University of Waterloo

4:20-4:30 Break

4:30-5:40  Session 6

“Reconsidering Aquinas on Evil” Pierre Baumann, PhD, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras

7:15 pm Dinner on own (a central downtown or campus venue will be suggested so that we can go as a group)

Thursday July 11, 2013:

8:30-9:00 am: Breakfast

9:00-10:10  Session 7

“Joseph Solomon Delmedigo (1591-1655) and the (Re-)Emergence and Integration of Hellenistic Neoplatonists into Jewish Thought” Tzvi Langermann, PhD, Bar Ilan University

10:10-11:20  Session 8

“The Theologian as Philosopher:  Henry of Ghent and Skepticism” Juan Carlos Flores, PhD, University of Detroit Mercy

11:20-11:30 Break

11:30-12:40  Session 9

“Verum ut Bonum: Alexander of Hales and Thomas Aquinas on Faith” Vincent DeVandra, Boston College

1pm: Van leaves from DU (location of departure TBA) to Roxborough Park with boxed lunches (Please purchase boxed lunch as part of your registration. Didn’t pre-register and want to join this trip? Talk to Sarah – spessin@du.edu); for info on this location, visit: http://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Roxborough/Pages/RoxboroughStatePark.aspx (see too below, p. 7)

2:00-5:00  Mountains/park excursion (hiking, reading, relaxing)

5:15: Van departs to Sarah’s home (near the park) for dinner. [Not joining the van trip and need directions to Sarah’s home? Contact Sarah – spessin@du.edu]

8:30pm- Van returns to Denver (Nelson Hall) (about 45 minute drive)

Friday July 12, 2013:

8:30-9:00 am: Breakfast

9:00-10:10  Session 10

“Thomas Aquinas and Henry of Ghent on Creation” Jason A. Mitchell, L.C, PhD, Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome

10:10-11:20  Session 11

“Rethinking Ibn Gabirol’s “Divine Will”: From Voluntarism to Emanation” Sarah Pessin, PhD, University of Denver

11:20-11:30 Break

11:30-12:30  Session 12

“Aquinas’s Interpretation of Averroes and Its Importance for Latin Averroism” Richard Taylor, PhD, Marquette University

12:30: Boxed lunches (pre-registration required)

Information on Bikes, Trains, Planes, Cars, Cabs, Parking, etc.!

Anderson Academic Commons (includes Penrose Library):

2150 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208

Sturm Hall at the University of Denver (location of Philosophy Dept and Judaic Studies):

Corner of Asbury and Race: 2000 E Asbury Ave., Ste 257; Denver CO 80208

Airport Transportation:

Fly into DEN (sometimes called DIA, Denver International Airport). Cab one-way is about $65-70. Super Shuttle is about $26 - visit: http://www.supershuttle.com

Car Service / Taxi / Shuttle phone numbers:

Freedom Cab – 303-292-8900 / Yellow Cab – 303-777-7777 / Union Taxi – 303-922-2222 /

Metro Taxi – 303-333-3333

Super Shuttle (you can use for a ride to the airport; you can book in advance) – 303-374-4164

General Directional Tip: Mountains = West

The mountains (which you can see most days off in the distance) are West. If you are walking towards the mountains, it is safe to assume you are heading West.

For an online DU campus map:

Online version (with downloadable PDF) at: http://www.du.edu/utilities/maps.html

You can also download the ‘DU’ app for iPhone and Android (it has the DU map on it)

DU link to travel info (airport, buses, city bike rentals, Light Rail schedules, etc.):

http://www.du.edu/transcenter/

Light Rail: The E, F and H lines stop at the University of Denver Station

Denver’s Light Rail system is operated by the Rapid Transit District (RTD) and is a very convenient way to access the University of Denver and downtown Denver (see below for directions from Red Lion hotel to DU by Light Rail). Trains run every 10 or 15 minutes.

•Location: The University of Denver light rail station is located at the north end of campus on Buchtel Blvd at High St. across from the Ritchie Center (the building with the gold spire visible from around campus).

•Get me from Nelson Hall to the DU Light Rail Station: From Nelson Hall, take a right (walk North) on High Street; the station is a few blocks straight ahead, across Buchtel Blvd.

•Get me from Anderson Academic Commons to DU Light Rail Sation: You will exit the building through the main doors on the South side. Follow the brick sidewalk to your right, then veer right down the hill towards a stoplight and crosswalk. Once at the street, walk West (left) along the concrete sidewalk until your reach High Street. Head North along High Street (you will cross Evans Avenue) for approximately four blocks, until you reach the light rail station.

•Get me from Sturm Hall to the DU Light Rail Station: Exit Sturm Hall at the door near Judaic Studies (Suite 157) and turn right (this is Race St.); turn left on Asbury Ave.; turn right at High St.; the station is a few blocks straight ahead, across Buchtel Blvd.

•Purchase tickets: Tickets can be purchased on the Light Rail platform all the way towards the parking garage area; ticket prices are a few dollars each way, and depend on which zone you are traveling to – details are on the touchpad screen. All stations now have machines that accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover), as well as cash.

•Hours: Trains operate from about 5 am until about 2 am, with enhanced service during the 6 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 6 pm peak periods.

•To get to downtown, take the F or H line North-bound to 16th and California. (Downtown is NORTH of campus).

•More info: www.rtd-denver.com

Bus Routes that Serve DU:

24: University Blvd; every 30 mins.

21: Evans Ave, Connects with the Evans Ave. Light Rail station; every 15 mins.

To access route schedules and maps, visit www.rtd-denver.com and enter the route number into the Route Schedule Quick Finder.

Bike Rentals on campus and across Denver:

Denver is one of the bike-friendliest cities in the US. There are bike lanes and trails all over, and we have recently begun a city bike rental system (called ‘B Cycle’) with kiosks filled with big red bikes across town – including one kiosk right outside of Nelson Hall and one right outside of Sturm Hall. Instructions for how to rent and return the bike (it’s all automatic at the site) are listed at the kiosk. For more info, visit: http://www.bcycle.com/

Driving directions from I-25:

DU's campus is easily accessible from I-25, the main route running through the Denver metro area north/south. Campus lies just south and west of the intersection of I-25 and University Blvd. Exit I-25 at the University Boulevard exit. Go South on University Blvd, past the first intersection with a stoplight, then take a right onto Asbury Avenue.

Visitor Parking Lots at DU:

Visitor Parking lots can be found across campus, and charge $1.25/hour for up to 5 hours. Three visitor parking lots close to Anderson Academic Commons and Sturm Hall are:

•Lot 316  [“Sturm Hall Hourly Parking”] (corner of East Asbury Avenue and South Race Street; adjacent to Sturm Hall)

•Lot 302 [“Driscoll Center Hourly Parking”] (corner of East Evans Avenue and South Race Street)

•Lot 301/Lot E [“Race St. Hourly Parking”] (corner of East Evans Avenue and South High Street)

•Lot 305 (near corner of South University and East Warren, right off traffic circle near DU admin buildings)

Walking Directions to Sturm Hall from Parking Lots:

From Lot 316 (corner of East Asbury Avenue and South Race Street): Walk East across Race Street. The large brick building directly to the East of the parking lot is Sturm Hall.

From Lot 302 (corner of East Evans Avenue and South Race Street): Walk South along Race Street, approximately 50 yards. Sturm Hall will be the large brick building to your right.

From Lot 301/Lot E (corner of East Evans Avenue and South High Street): Exit the South side of the parking garage, turn left (East), and continue along the brick sidewalk until you reach a set of stairs between two buildings. Take the stairs up, then enter the building – the Driscoll Student Center – to your left. Once inside, go up the ramp and follow the bridge that crosses over the street below. Continue down the stairs on the other side of the bridge and exit the glass doors on the North side of the building. Sturm Hall will be the first building on your left.

Walking Directions to the Anderson Academic Commons (DU’s main library) from Parking Lots:

From Lot 316 (corner of East Asbury Avenue and South Race Street): Exit on the East side of the parking lot, turn right (South), and continue along the concrete sidewalk until you reach Evans Avenue. Turn left (East) and continue along the concrete sidewalk until you reach a crosswalk and traffic light (approximately one block). Use the crosswalk to cross Evans Avenue and continue up the hill on the other side using the brick sidewalk. Your destination will be the large building on the left.

From Lot 302 (corner of East Evans Avenue and South Race Street): Exit on the South side of the parking lot, turn left (East), and continue along the concrete sidewalk until you reach a crosswalk and traffic light (approximately one block). Use the crosswalk to cross Evans Avenue and continue up the hill on the other side using the brick sidewalk. Your destination will be the large building on the left.

From Lot 301/Lot E (corner of East Evans Avenue and South High Street): Exit the North side of the parking garage, turn right (East), and continue along the concrete sidewalk until you reach a crosswalk and traffic light (approximately one block). At this junction, turn right and head up the hill along the brick sidewalk. Your destination will be the large building on the left.

From Lot 305 (near corner of South University Blvd and East Warren Ave): Exit lot on West side. Head West along any of the brick sidewalks you see. You will see the Academic Commons across the large green space to your right.

Taking Light Rail from the Red Lion Southeast Hotel to the University of Denver 

Station: Nine Mile Station (serviced by the H-Line train)

1. According to the Hotel, the station is a quick, 10-minute walk away. Numerous employees at the Hotel commute to work via light rail, so it is best to check in with the front desk about the quickest way (other than taking a taxi) to the station.

2. For more information regarding fares and schedules, please visit www.rtd-denver.com and click on the train entitled “light rail” at the top right. See the attached map for an overview of the system.

3. Take the H-Line train North (this is a terminus station for the H-Line, so you will only be able to go North!) five stops to the University of Denver station.

4. Once at the University of Denver station, walk approximately 3 blocks South along High Street to East Asbury Avenue. Turn left (East) and walk 1 block to the intersection of Asbury Avenue & Race Street.

5. Sturm Hall – where conference sessions will be held – is the large brick building located at this intersection.

6. To return to the hotel: Simply take any H-Line train South to the Nine Mile station.

Libraries on Campus:

DU’s main library collection is the Penrose Collection located inside the brand new Anderson Academic Commons building at the heart of campus (2150 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80208). Another library option while you are on campus is the library at the Iliff School of Theology which is just a few blocks from Sturm Hall: 2201 S. University Blvd. / Tel. 800.678.3360

Coors Fitness Center, on campus:

2201 E Asbury Ave. (this is the building with the gold spire); call for daily pass info: 303.871.3845.

Supermarket walking distance from campus:

Safeway, SE corner of Evans and Downing – from campus, walk West on Evans Ave. about 7 blocks

Roxborough State Park

http://www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/Roxborough/Pages/RoxboroughStatePark.aspx

From the website:

“Roxborough is a Colorado Natural Area and a National Natural Landmark for good reason. The park, with close to 4000-acres, is filled with dramatic red-rock formations, distinct plant communities, and a host of wildlife ranging from black bears to mule deer.

Visitors can take in all of Roxborough’s geological wonders via a series of trails for every level of hiker. The Fountain Valley Overlook is only 100 yards from the Visitor Center and provides spectacular views of several beautiful rock formations, including the Fountain Formation, Lyons Formation, and the Dakota Hogback.  Many visitors tote their cameras to capture one of the many beautiful views or animal sightings such as red fox from one of the park’s overlooks.”