The Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy (SAAP), the largest academic society focused on the study of American philosophy, organizes the annual Summer Institute for American Philosophy (SIAP). An entire week is dedicated to exchanging scholarship across generations of scholars with diverse backgrounds, and graduate students are strongly encouraged to present their work-in-progress to receive constructive feedback from an expert community.
Eruption of Kilauea, home of Pele, on June 7th, 2023 (photo by Janice Wei).
“The Elemental” was the theme for SIAP 2024, held on June 24-28, which envisions a philosophy of nature that speaks to the more-than-human world grounded within a specific Indigenous context and place in Hawaiʻi. The institute was hosted by the Philosophy Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and co-sponsored by the Philosophy Department at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Dr. Celia T. Bardwell-Jones at the Hilo served as the lead organizer of the entire program.
The Summer Institute in American Philosohy 2024 (photos by Ruel Mannette).
Besides the common repertoire of classical American philosophy, native Hawaiian philosophy took center stage in this institute, with topics ranging from indigenous epistemology, equity and resilience, to reforestation, wildlife ethics, and environmental philosophy in general. The relationship between humans and animals invited lively discussion. Participants explored how animal rights can be considered beyond classical virtue ethics, deontology or utilitarian approaches.
The closing keynote lecture “Indigenous Epistemology and World-Wide Awakening” was delivered by Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer from the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu. Participants also had the opportunity to engage in fieldwork such as sustainable farming and environmental restoration. “It was a wonderful and educational experience throughout,” noted Ruel Mannette, a PhD student from UH Mānoa, adding that it “really helped me rethink not only my own project but also my relationships and understanding of American and Hawaiian philosophy.” The CALL Uehiro Program was able to support students from both Hawaiʻi and the mainland United States to participate in this summer institute.