The University of St. Thomas’ Center for Thomistic Studies, in Houston, is calling for papers for the first U.S. Conference of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas to be held on Oct. 18-19, 2013. The theme of the conference is “Thomas Aquinas: Teacher of Humanity.”

The Conference, co-sponsored by the Center for Thomistic Studies and the John Paul II Forum, is soliciting papers which will explore the teachings of St. Thomas on the concept of what it means to be human. 

Possible paper topics include:

• Is it still meaningful to talk about “humanity” or “inhumanity”?
• What challenges do evolution, eugenics and the trans-humanist movement present for a concept of “humanity”?
• Is the “human” a viable standard in a world with many cultures and traditions?
• Is transhumanism an answer to the crisis of humanity or does it constitute an additional crisis? 

Please submit papers to the Center for Thomistic Studies at thomistic_center@stthom.edu. The deadline for the receipt of papers is July 1, 2013.

For questions regarding the submission of papers or the conference, contact the Center for Thomistic Studies.