Britain’s Early Philosophers

A two day workshop at Durham University

April 1-2, 2019

Birley Room, Hatfield Conference

Who were Britain’s earliest philosophers? What were Alcuin of York’s contributions to philosophy? To what extent can we consider thinkers such as Hild, Bede, Cuthbert, Gildas, and Cædmon philosophers? How did philosophy reach Britain? Who was reading it, who was writing it, who was teaching it, who was learning it? In this seminal exploratory workshop, we will be considering these questions as well as other questions such as: What counts as philosophy in the early medieval British period? What are the boundary/ies between philosophy and theology? Is there a specifically/uniquely early British philosophical tradition? Just who was reading Alfred’s translation of Boethius?

Schedule

Monday Tuesday
09:30-10:00 registration/coffee 09:30-10:00 coffee
10:00-11:15 Invited talk: Barbara Denison 10:00-11:15 Invited talk: Mary Garrison
11:15-11:45 coffee break 11:15-11:45 coffee break
11:45-12:30 Contributed talk: Jack Coopey 11:45-12:30 Contributed talk: Eric Perl
12:30-13:30 lunch 12:30-13:30 lunch
13:30-14:15 Contributed talk: Conor P. O’Brien 13:30-14:15 Contributed talk: Alisa Kunitz-Dick
14:15-14:45 coffee 14:15-14:45 coffee
14:45-15:30 Contributed talk: Clelia Crialesi 14:45-16:00 Roundtable
15:30-16:00 coffee
16:00-17:15 Invited talk: Fred Biggs

Invited talks

Contributed talks

  • Jack Coopey (Durham), “Alcuin and Logic: The Task of True Philosophical Thinking in the Carolingian Renaissance in Alcuin’s Prologue“
  • Dr. Clelia Crialesi (Rome/Paris), “Abbo of Fleury and His Arithmetical Teaching at Ramsey”
  • Dr. Alisa Kunitz-Dick (Cambridge), “Place (Locus) in Alcuin’s Metaphysics”
  • Dr. Conor P. O’Brien (Durham), “Why Do We Not Think of Bede as a Philosopher?”
  • Dr. Eric Perl (Loyola Marymount), “‘Eall ϸeos mære gesceaft:’ Metaphysical Sensibilities in The Dream of the Rood“

Excursion

An optional excursion to Lindisfarne is planned for April 3, after the conclusion of the workshop.

Registration & practical information (travel, accommodation, costs)

There will be no cost for attending the workshop. However, so that we can have appropriate number for catering, please email Dr. Sara L. Uckelman by March 22, 2019 if you wish to attend.

There will be a restaurant dinner on the evening of April 1, 2019. Non-speakers who wish to attend the dinner will be responsible for their own costs, and should email Dr. Sara L. Uckelman by March 25, 2019 if they wish to join, so that appropriate reservations can be made.

Information about how to reach Durham can be found here. The workshop will be held in the Birley Room of Hatfield College.

Accommodation is available through the Durham colleges B&B arrangements. For more information, see here and here. There are also a number of hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of Hatfield College, including:

Sponsorship

We are very grateful for the sponsorship and financial support of the Durham Centre for Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, Durham University, and Mind Association.


DCAMP Durham Mind