APA Centennial

Philosophy Matters:
A Celebration of the Power of Thought

Dear Colleague:

In 2001 we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Philosophical Association. The Board of Officers of the APA believes that instead of celebrating the APA, we should celebrate the power of philosophy in the lives of individuals and societies. Accordingly, it appointed a committee to plan activities to raise the visibility of philosophy in our communities and to call attention to the important contributions it can make.

The committee, consisting of Robert Audi, Samuel Gorovitz, Kenneth Knisely, John Lachs (chair), George Lucas, Martha Nussbaum, Lucius Outlaw and Nancy Tuana, decided on the title PHILOSOPHY MATTERS: A CELEBRATION OF THE POWER OF THOUGHT for the activities we plan to undertake. They may include books signings and talks at bookstores throughout the country, competitions for philosophers to write editorials and op-ed pieces in newspapers, and presentations on the relevance of philosophy to life at each of the three divisional meetings of the APA. We also want to encourage colleagues to address churches, civic organizations and high schools on topics of lasting interest or current concern, and to stimulate philosophers to become regular contributors to public debate about matters of moral and social significance.

The most effective celebrations are likely to be those organized in each community by the philosophers at local colleges and universities. So this initial communication is an invitation for you to devise plans to show the delights of philosophical reflection and the usefulness of education in philosophy to a broad public. You may stage formal lectures or informal coffee-house conversations, go out to groups in the community or bring members of the general public to your institutions. Since the continued welfare of philosophy is closely tied to public perceptions of its intrinsic value and its usefulness, we help ourselves and the field we love by demonstrating what it can contribute to individual flourishing and the solution of social problems. (For an example of the kind of thing that we would like to encourage, please check out the following announcement from the Greater Rochester Russell Set.)

The Centennial Committee is happy to assist you with your programs. We would like to know what you will plan or at least what you will have done. We would like to make 2001 the year in which philosophy regains the voice it once had and should never lose in the lives of people.

Sincerely yours,

John Lachs, Chair
Centennial Committee of the American Philosophical Association

Index of Centennial Events Around the Country

APA Centennial

Philosophy Matters: A Celebration of the Power of Thought

Philosophy Matters:
A Celebration of the Power of Thought