CALL FOR PAPERS
THE 50th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN MARITAIN ASSOCIATION
Thursday, April 8, to Saturday, April 10, 2027
Hosted by the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
§ Wisdom from the Past for the Future:
Maritain and the Vitality of the Thomistic Tradition §
“Woe to me if I do not Thomisticize!” Maritain clearly proclaimed the principle that illumines his task as a Christian philosopher facing the uncertainties of the modern world. For the past half-century, members of the American Maritain Association have celebrated Maritain’s achievements; more importantly, we have built on them, continually demonstrating the perennial vitality of Thomistic thought.
Maritain, reflecting on the unique credibility of Thomism in The Peasant of the Garonne, explains that Thomism “is not the doctrine of one man, but the whole labor of the Fathers of the Church, the seekers of Greece, and the Inspired of Israel…. [It is] a doctrine that is open and without frontiers; open to every reality wherever it is and every truth from wherever it comes, especially the new truths which the evolution of culture or science will enable it to bring out.” This openness to truth means that this philosophy alone is “indefinitely progressive,” constantly correcting itself and extending its principles so that man’s mind may grasp all of creation, as well as the Creator whose love moves us to know. Thus, Maritain elsewhere affirms that “Saint Thomas is properly and before everything else the apostle of the intelligence; this is the first reason why we must regard him as the apostle of modern times.”
Like St. Thomas Aquinas and Maritain, we do not approach the philosophical tradition merely as a patrimony to be treasured like a museum piece; rather, we embrace it because it is true and a source of continued vitality. Thus, in celebrating the semicentennial of the AMA, we do not only commemorate what we have done, but more importantly encourage the new Maritains who find in ancient wisdom innovative solutions for the modern era. Accordingly, we call for papers that recall the achievement of the AMA and her members, and also for papers which anticipate how Thomism will inform the future of philosophy in America. We also welcome papers on any topic that engages with the thought of Maritain or the perennial tradition in philosophy.
The plenary speakers include Therese Cory (University of Notre Dame), Daniel DeHaan (University of Oxford), Florian Michel (University of Paris, Sorbonne), William Murphy (Mundelein Seminary), Robert Royal (Faith and Reason Institute), and Jason West (Newman Theological College).
Please send proposals of up to 500 words to Dr. Megan Furman at maritainofficers@gmail.com by January 31, 2027. Final presentations should be 25-30 minutes in length.
The AMA has a longstanding book series arising out of its annual conferences, with volumes published in partnership with Catholic University of America Press. All accepted submissions will later be eligible for inclusion in the resulting peer-reviewed volume. There is a $250 prize and a guarantee of publication for the best graduate student paper; to be considered for the graduate student prize, please submit your complete paper by January 31, 2027.
The conference registration fee is $150 ($70 for students). The optional conference banquet is an additional $75. Membership in the American Maritain Association is $100 ($50 for students). We encourage online payment by March 1, 2027. Registration after that will be $190.00 ($75.00 for students).
For more information, visit www.americanmaritainassociation.com.