In deference to the work of all inquisitive minds, past and present, who have embraced philosophical reflection to understand the consequential events for people’s wellbeing, the Journal of Philosophical Economics announces this call for the third edition of the

Symposium on the Economists’ Philosophy Day, 21 Nov. 2024.

In October 2005, the UNESCO General Conference proclaimed the third Thursday of November every year ‘World Philosophy Day’ recalling that ‘philosophy is a discipline that encourages critical and independent thought and is capable of working towards a better understanding of the world and promoting tolerance and peace.’

It is in this spirit that J Philos Econ proposes to celebrate the Economists’ Philosophy Day by organizing online plenary sessions on scientific communication dedicated to the philosophical landmarks through which our science has been challenged, for better or for worse. For this edition, this call invites contributions in the theme of

Democracy for sustainable life.

Today, local societies, national societies and global societies are facing some serious challenges. Health problems such as pandemics and ecological problems such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, pollution of land, air and water can be considered examples. An institutional structure characterized by democracy as a game of policymaking and decision-making will likely be more successful in the resolution of these problems than dictatorship. Freedom of speech is a prerequisite for whistleblowers in relation to the most difficult challenges and various cases of corruption.

But democracy is an issue as well in a university context. Departments of economics can be chosen as an example. A certain kind of economics, so called neoclassical theory, is in a close to monopoly position. Neoclassical economists tend to present their discipline as established and successful. In economics (and other social sciences), values, ethics, and ideology are always present and limiting attention to the ideology built into mainstream neoclassical economics is not compatible with democracy. New schools of thought or paradigms have appeared in response to new serious challenges. Ecological economics, in the sense of economics for sustainable development, is one example.

Proposals of approx. 500 words are expected by September 27, 2024. After acceptance, authors are invited to submit the full version of their study for peer-review. Proposals will be sent to editor@jpe.ro.

Organizers: