cfp.english.upenn.edu

Presently receiving & reviewing submissions for the Winter 2009 issue

Authors are asked to critically discuss meanings of ‘nature’ or ‘environment’ that clash or harmonize with discourses and/or conservation practices across cultures and time.

Possible Topics to be Explored (in no way exhaustive)

Competing Views of Nature

a. Creation stories – nature as a gift
e.g.: Genesis, Shinto, Buddhist, animist, pantheist, secularist, etc.

b. Instrumental – nature as object for human use; humans possess inherent subject status that affords them the self-proclaimed right to exploit
e.g.: Drilling for oil, gas, coal. Diverting rivers, damming rivers, etc.

c. Warehouse – storing genetic materials for present and future human use; rainforest and other eco-systems as repositories of presently and conceivable value for future human need
e.g.: drugs, medications, new strains of plant life for human consumption

d. Cathedral-Holy place – nature as a source of inspiration and worship
e.g.: Nature parks, national parks; also literary productions extolling oneness with other forms, etc.

e. Holistic – nature as a value in itself, independent of human need or desire
e.g.: Every life form has its own reason for being, independent of human use or intent. Every life form – at least sentient life – has an interest in living, etc.

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All submissions will be evaluated using a double-blind (at least three reviewers) peer review process.

Details regarding the submission process appear at http://www.synaesthesiajournal.com/

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