Bulletin of the Santayana Society, No. 24 Fall 2006

              40
Second International Conference on
George Santayana
The conference took place at the University of Opole in Opole, Poland, with four days
of talks from June 21 to June 24. A list of the speakers and the titles of their talks
appears above in the Bibliographic Update. The excellent presentations covered all the
main topics in Santayana's oeuvre. They are currently being prepared for publication,
under the joint editorship of Matt Flamm and Chris Skowronski.
One of the main aims of the conference was to promote the interchange of views
between scholars in America and in Europe. This was achieved. This bulletin,
Overheard in Seville, will henceforth keep its readers informed about activities
concerning Santayana on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean; and the Spanish journal
limbo has chosen an editorial board with scholars on both sides. As well, information
will be posted on several websites, that of The George Santayana Society, that of this
bulletin, and that of limbo. For information on limbo see the above Carta Desde
Espana.
As well as conceiving and organizing the conference, Chris Skowronski
coordinated the actual event, and saw to everybody's needs. Opole provided a fine
setting, and everyone concerned with the conference was helpful and friendly. Not
many of the participants had attended the first international Santayana conference in
Avila held almost fifteen years ago. It was strongly felt that a third international
conference should be held within five or so years, perhaps in Spain.
Liberty Fund Conference on
George Santayana
Interest in George Santayana's philosophy is gaining along with recognition of its
importance. Further support for this thesis comes from a conference sponsored by the
Liberty Fund and entitled: "Towards a Philosophy of Modesty: Freedom, Reason, and
Limit in Santayana's Moral and Political Thought." It was held on December 1-4,
2005 in Cambridge, England, under the directorship of Professor Noel O'Sullivan
(University of Hull). Although others of Santayana's books were read and discussed,
the main text considered was his Dominations and Powers. It was amazing to see
during the debate Itself how many external points of reference (including Hegel,
Nietzsche, modern liberalism, conservatism, aesthetics) came into play on the one
hand, and yet, on the other hand, how its uniqueness, specificity, and originality had to
be respected. To put this in other words, although the applicability of Santayana's
specific proposal and suggestions for the problems of the modem world were often
questioned, his system itself as a coherent articulation of thought was highly
appreciated. It should be added that the excellent conditions provided by Liberty Fund
made it possible to enjoy the atmosphere of free exchange of opinions during all six
sessions of the conference.
KRZYSZTOF PIOTR SKOWRONSKI