Fatherhood & Philosophy:
Uncovering the Tao of Daddy
Lon Nease
University of Cincinnati
neaseln@email.uc.edu
Mike Austin
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Eastern Kentucky University
mike.austin@eku.edu
Just over the last few decades, the role of a father has changed
tremendously, putting into question what it means to be a father. Is
it different than just being a parent? What is it about fatherhood
that allows us to think it?s still a useful concept? This book, which
is part of the Wiley-Blackwell series Philosophy for Everyone, will
address the roles, experiences, ethics, and challenges of fatherhood
from a philosophical perspective. Abstracts are welcome from the
disciplines of philosophy, sociology, psychology, psychiatry,
anthropology, biology, counseling, political theory, history, and any
other relevant discipline. Possible paper titles include, but are by
no means limited to the following:
It Changes How You See Things: Fatherhood and the Meaning of Life
Fatherhood and Knowing Ourselves: Socrates and Self-Knowledge
Charles Barkley Was Right: Fathers as Role Models
An Authentic Dad: Existentialism and Fatherhood
Teaching Duty: Confucian Thoughts on the Father-Son Relationship
Overthinking It: Is Being a Good Father Instinctive?
Like Father Like Son: Repetition, Respect, and the Lineage of Fatherhood
Wait Until Your Father Gets Home! The Ethics of Child Discipline
Do I Owe My Kids More? The Ethics of Partiality and Impartiality
Vicarious Living: Fatherhood and the Autonomy of Children
Does Blood Matter? The Moral Significance of Biology for the
Father-Child Relationship
Because I Said So: The Nature and Ethics of Authority
Working Late or Being There: A Conflict of Duties?
Letting Go: Taoism and Fatherhood
Not in Front of the Children: Mass Media and the Obligation to Protect
Our Children
Am I Obligated to Have Only One Child? Fatherhood and Environmental Ethics
Commanding Freedom: The Role of Fathers in Cultivating Responsibility
Building a Stronger Father-Son Relationship: Advice from the Ancient
Philosophers
Should I Take My Child to Church? Religious Upbringing and the
Influence of Fathers
Fatherhood, Fear, and Trembling: Kierkegaard's Suspension of the Ethical
Daddy?s Little Girl: Wisdom for the Father-Daughter Relationship
Thus Spanked Zarathustra: Would Nietzsche Have Been a Good Father?
Abstracts and the resulting essays should be written for an educated,
but non-technical audience interested in fatherhood. Care should be
taken to avoid discipline-specific jargon as this book is intended for
a general audience.
Guidelines for Contributions
· Abstract of paper (approximately 200 words) due by: Dec 15, 2008
· Accepted authors will receive notification by Jan 10, 2009
· The submission deadline for accepted papers will be August 31, 2009
· Final papers must be between 4000-5000 words and be aimed at
a general, educated audience
Abstracts should be submitted electronically to neaseln@email.uc.edu
and/or mike.austin@eku.edu. Other proposals for series titles are
also welcome; please direct those to Fritz Allhoff at
fritz.allhoff@wmich.edu.
