“Forms that Fit: The Permanent Things in a Turbulent Time”
In his magisterial study of the character of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville notes that, in democratic ages, the formalities tend to be abandoned and undermined. This is because, he says, “men living in democratic ages do not readily comprehend the utility of forms: they feel an instinctive contempt for them.”
The abandonment of forms in our advanced democratic age is apparent: from the coarsening of language, to the abandonment of dress codes, to the removal of ornamentation—and even outright ugliness—in the built environment, to the mindlessness of our popular culture, American social life seems to be increasingly trending toward the base and the low. In the name of freedom, Americans have tended to jettison formalities that they deem unnecessary and restrictive. But at what cost?
Tocqueville concludes his assessment by noting that, far from stifling liberty, forms and formalities are its precondition. Forms restrain and channel power and, through institutions and symbols, give structure to social and political life. Another function of form involves the channeling of nature into social order. Aristotle’s metaphysics helps us see this connection through his discussion of the relationship between “form” and “matter.” While matter is the raw material taken from nature, form is what makes the thing what it is.
In this sense, though forms are indeed contingent and “socially constructed” (as the jargon has it), they serve an indispensable role in preserving and expressing the nature of the “permanent things” in the social and political order by refining and adorning natural distinctions and roles.
This conference, which will take place June 5-7 in College Park, MD, and is sponsored by the Academy of Philosophy and Letters, will consider questions that include, but are not limited to:
- What role do forms and formalities play in preserving and extending liberty rightly understood?
- What is the relationship between nature and custom and how is that relationship expressed in forms and formalities?
- What can the great thinkers of the Western tradition teach us about the nature and importance of forms and how they reveal the permanent things?
- What are the moral aspects of forms and formalities?
- What do forms and formalities suggest about the metaphysical and anthropological assumptions of political communities?
- What are the prospects for reviving forms in American culture and society?
A full schedule of the conference program can be found here. This year, we are proud to have a lineup featuring such conservative luminaries as Kevin D. Roberts, Matthew Crawford, Chris Owen, Glenn Ellmers, and Joseph Pearce.
Who are we?
The Academy of Philosophy and Letters was founded in recognition that the direction of society is set by its most deeply held beliefs and aspirations. These are molded by culture in the broad sense, as represented by universities, the arts, churches, publishing, museums, and entertainment. Acting on the minds, imaginations, and moral-spiritual sensibilities of a society’s members, the culture shapes their general perception of reality and their likes and dislikes—for good or ill. Politics does not operate independently of the culture but reflects it. Though politics can also shape culture, being able to exert educational and other cultural influence is ultimately more important than winning elections. Major and long-range change presupposes a transformation of the culture.
The Academy pursues a deeper understanding of the meaning, origins and development of civilized life, especially in the Western world, and of how a humane society can best counteract threats to its own survival. The Academy seeks explanations for acute problems in America and the rest of the world and addresses how they might be overcome. To this end, the Academy promotes exploration of moral, religious, epistemological, literary, artistic, and scientific issues, including their relation to politics and economics. The Academy recognizes the importance of the historical dimension of civilized life and acknowledges the profound responsibility of those who live now to preserve the best of the cultural inheritance and to transmit it, improved if possible, to future generations. Just as the Academy recognizes the indispensability of national sovereignty and the need for civilizations and societies to cultivate the best in their particular traditions, so does it explore and foster values that constitute a common human ground.
The Academy eschews ideological and political partisanship in favor of the pursuit of truth for its own sake. It cherishes intellectual integrity and humility.
The Academy sponsors conferences, seminars, symposia, and lectures, encouraging an open and vigorous but always civil exchange of views. It circulates its findings using suitable media.
Membership is by election, but guests are always welcome. Both members and guests share a deep interest in the aforementioned issues and an ability to contribute to their elucidation.
A new opportunity for younger scholars
In accordance with the commitments listed above, we are pleased to announce the new Edmund Burke Fellowship for graduate students, advanced undergraduates of exceptional caliber, and young professionals. All students of the humanities, broadly conceived, are welcome to apply.
The Fellowship will be awarded to up to 30 students. It covers the full cost of attendance at our annual conference in College Park, MD (June 5-7, 2025). It also covers all meals, plus a two night stay at the onsite Marriott hotel. Recipients will be responsible only for the cost of travel to / from the conference.
Fellows will enjoy intellectual exchange with like-minded academics, policymakers, and teachers at panels, in discussions, and over meals. The two-and-a-half day conference also provides an opportunity to make the kinds of connections that may be especially useful to early-career academics.
In order to apply for the Fellowship, please email:
- Your resume or CV
- A one-paragraph statement of interest in the topics of the conference and APL’s mission.
to apl@philosophyandletters.org.
Applications are open until May 30, 2025, but will be distributed on a rolling basis, so interested students should apply as soon as possible.
For more information on the Academy of Philosophy and Letters generally, please visit our website: philosophyandletters.org.
The featured image, uploaded by The Long Island Museum, is “California News” (1850), by William Sidney Mount. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
