Making Sense of Pain

Pain and the body’s vulnerability to it are inevitable aspects of the experience of all sentient beings. Pain is universally feared. Many, if not all, fields of human activity have the potential to occasion pain – and much of what we do as individuals and/or collectivities involves our efforts to prevent, ameliorate, cure or avoid pain. Nonetheless, despite the unpleasantness and sometimes the... [read more]

Pain and the body’s vulnerability to it are inevitable aspects of the experience of all sentient beings. Pain is universally feared. Many, if not all, fields of human activity have the potential to occasion pain – and much of what we do as individuals and/or collectivities involves our efforts to prevent, ameliorate, cure or avoid pain. Nonetheless, despite the unpleasantness and sometimes the agony of the experience of pain, we are also capable of enduring it. Depending on the context, we may do so willingly.

Yet there is also the dark side of pain: humans are capable of inflicting it and at times do so intentionally, for gain or enjoyment; they can also injure and hurt other beings through carelessness and disregard of their needs and comfort.

This interdisciplinary conference provides a forum for inquiry into the vicissitudes of pain: its nature and existential significance, and the many ways in which pain plays a part in our lives. Of concern, too, are the biological, social and interpersonal circumstances within which our reactions to pain occur.

The following themes are suggested as guides to the formulation of topics for papers and workshops:

1. The Nature and Evolution of Pain

2. Elaborations on Pain – in science, history, philosophy, literature and drama, art

3. Inflicting pain – torture, sadism, self-harm, neglect and disregard

4. Animals and pain – in nature and in culture

5. Pain through the lifecycle– variations on the theme from birth to death

6. Pain acceptance –martyrdom, childbirth, cosmetic surgery, work, performance (eg sport, music, dancing)

7. Perspectives on pain – patients’ and professionals’

8. Narratives of pain and palliation– managing, succeeding, failing to alleviate pain

9. Practices, philosophies and dilemmas of pain relief– personal, professional, cultural, economic, political (macro and micro)

10. Pain and Communication – expressing pain, understanding pain, describing pain, pain as metaphor, silences about pain

Papers will be considered on any related theme.

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