Claremont Lincoln University
The 2012 Claremont International Jain Conference
Bioethics: Religious and Spiritual Approaches
Call for Papers
Co-sponsored by Claremont Lincoln University, the International School for Jain Studies, Jain Center of Southern California, and the Federation of Jain Associations in North America (JAINA)
Bioethics: Religious and Spiritual Approaches
August 24-25, 2012
Call for Papers
The rapid growth of the medical sciences and of medical technologies has given doctors the ability to diagnose and to cure as never before. At the same time, these breakthroughs raise perplexing ethical questions: when does life begin, and when does it end? When is the quality of life so compromised that doctors should cease further interventions? What is informed consent? What constraints should apply to research on human subjects? And, above all, how can the sanctity of life be preserved? This conference will bring the resources of Jainism (see note below), of the dharma traditions of India, and of the world’s religious and spiritual traditions in general to bear on the most difficult bioethical questions of our day.
The conference presupposes that religious and spiritual traditions can assist doctors and ethicists in thinking through these questions and coming to answers. We welcome paper proposals addressing any of the overlaps between bioethics and the religious traditions, including procreation, alternative medicines, birth and related issues (abortion, in vitro fertilization, population control, etc.), use of stem cells, cloning, the ethics of medical research, end of life issues. The Claremont International Jain Conferences are sponsored by the Jain community, but papers drawing on any of the world’s religious or spiritual traditions are warmly welcomed.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Cromwell Crawford (Univ. of Hawaii), Dr. Abdulaziz A. Sachedina (Univ. of Virginia), Dr. James Hughes (Trinity College, CT), and D.K. Bobra, M.D.
Conference Details
Plenary sessions take place in Mudd Auditorium, Claremont Lincoln University, 1325 N. College Ave., Claremont, CA 91711 (on the campus of Claremont School of Theology). There is an inexpensive registration fee and a discount for students. Early registration at a reduced rate will close on July 15th.
All meals at the conference will be creative and tasty Jain vegetarian/vegan fare.
Travel and Hotel Information
AIRPORTS
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is 15 minutes from Claremont. Taxis are available outside the baggage area (approx. $20-25 for a ride to campus) or you can book a shuttle here.
Los Angeles International Airport is 50 miles from Claremont. During peak traffic hours (7am-9am; 3pm-6pm), this can be a very lengthy ride. You can book a shuttle here.
HOTELS
The conference hotel is the Claremont DoubleTree, 555 W. Foothill Blvd. in Claremont; (909) 626-2411. You can make reservations (at a reduced rate) at the Jain Conference Group Page. The DoubleTree Hotel is 0.5 miles from campus, or a 10-minute walk.
Other accommodations can be found at Hotel Claremont; (909) 621-4831 (3 miles from campus) or Casa 425; (866) 450-0425 (in Claremont Village, 1.3 miles from campus). There are also lodgings in nearby cities.
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Note on Jainism:
Jainism is one of the oldest religions originating from India. At the very heart of Jainism is the ethic of non-violence, Ahimsa, which means ‘Respect for all living beings.’ Ahimsa continues to guide the daily lives of all Jains, who are egetarians, and practice ecology and conservation. Out of 14 million Jains in the world, 125,000 are settled in North America. The other two tenets of Jainsim are non-absolutism, which means that real truth has multiple facets, and non-possessiveness, which means that one should balance one’s needs and desires. JAINA is the umbrella organization of nearly 70 Jain centers and congregations in North America, that has Special Consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Organizing Committee:
Matthew Fisher, Coordinator
Dr. Manoj Jain
Dr. Nitin Shah
Manish Mehta, Ph.D.
Rajen Dhami