Social Ethics Society

  CALL FOR PAPERS 7th Politics and Culture Conference Mindanao Philosophy: Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and the Paradox of Democracy  November 20, 2026 | Online Conference Hosted by the Social Ethics Society and North Valley College The Social Ethics Society and North Valley College invite philosophers, scholars, researchers, educators, practitioners, and students to participate in the 7th Politics and Culture Conference, an interdisciplinary academic gathering dedicated to examining the philosophical, cultural, political, and social dimensions of Mindanao Philosophy. This year’s conference takes as its theme: “Mindanao Philosophy: Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and the Paradox of Democracy” Mindanao is a complex intellectual and cultural space shaped by diverse Indigenous traditions, Muslim and Christian communities, colonial histories, struggles for recognition, and contemporary transformations. The conference seeks to explore how philosophy emerges from these experiences and ho...

  The 7th Politics and Culture Conference, hosted by the Social Ethics Society and North Valley College, is honored to feature the following distinguished scholars and speakers: - Ms. Aanchal Seth (Panjab University, India) - Dr. Layne Hartsell (Chulalongkorn University) - Atty. Jamil Matalam — (USEP College of Law) - Dr. Christopher Ryan Maboloc (AdDU) - Dr. Bernard Caslib Jr. (UP Manila) - Dr. Rogelio Bayod (North Valley College) - Dr. Godiva Eviota-Rivera (MSU–Marawi) - Dr. Juichiro Tanabe (Waseda University) Conference Chair: Dr. Rogelio Bayod Call for Papers Theme: Mindanao Philosophy - Indigeneity, Decoloniality and the Paradox of Democracy  We invite researchers, faculty members, graduate students, independent scholars, and other interested participants to submit original papers relevant to the conference theme. Submissions may present original philosophical arguments, conceptual analyses, empirical or interdisciplinary research, critical reflections, or studies of Ind...

  CALL FOR PAPERS 7th Politics and Culture Conference Mindanao Philosophy: Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and the Paradox of Democracy  November 20, 2026 | Online Conference Hosted by the Social Ethics Society and North Valley College The Social Ethics Society and North Valley College invite philosophers, scholars, researchers, educators, practitioners, and students to participate in the 7th Politics and Culture Conference, an interdisciplinary academic gathering dedicated to examining the philosophical, cultural, political, and social dimensions of Mindanao Philosophy. This year’s conference takes as its theme: “Mindanao Philosophy: Indigeneity, Decoloniality, and the Paradox of Democracy” Mindanao is a complex intellectual and cultural space shaped by diverse Indigenous traditions, Muslim and Christian communities, colonial histories, struggles for recognition, and contemporary transformations. The conference seeks to explore how philosophy emerges from these experiences and ho...

Philosophy in Mindanao is least concerned with carving out a distinctly Filipino identity for philosophy. Such a preoccupation belongs, perhaps, to those who feel that their intellectual traditions remain unrecognized within the broader corpus of knowledge that thinkers before us have cultivated in their enduring search for truth. Mindanao’s philosophical tradition, by contrast, is grounded in lived experience. It draws from the histories and struggles of the Lumad, the aspirations and continuing struggles of the Bangsamoro, and the concrete realities confronting communities across the region.  Its central concern is not to define what makes philosophy Filipino, but to ask what philosophy can contribute to human flourishing in a particular social and historical context. For contemporary academics and scholars in Mindanao, philosophy becomes meaningful when it engages real problems, gives voice to those at the margins, challenges structures that perpetuate injustice, and contributes...

  The future of philosophy in Mindanao lies in its capacity to engage local realities while participating in broader intellectual conversations. Mindanao philosophers must continue developing a philosophy rooted in the region’s diverse cultures, histories, indigenous traditions, and experiences of conflict and peace. Universities can strengthen this tradition through research, publications, conferences, and collaboration among scholars.  Philosophy should also address contemporary concerns such as poverty, environmental destruction, technology, democracy, and social justice. Most importantly, the next generation of philosophers must cultivate critical and creative thinking among students and communities. In this way, Mindanao can continue being a significant anchor of philosophical thought in the Philippines.   The way forward is to follow the path of Fr. Mike Moga, Bro. Karl Gaspar, and Dr. Romulo Bautista, all of whom have engaged with enduring questions and produc...