Call for Contributions: Nonhumans in Orthodox Christianity and Contemporary Culture
The Wheel invites scholars, theologians, artists, and practitioners to contribute to a special issue exploring the theme of "Nonhumans" within the context of Orthodox Christianity and contemporary culture.
Nonhumans, encompassing animals, artificial life, artificial intelligence, and other forms of sentient and non-sentient beings, occupy a significant place in the tapestry of human existence and spirituality. This special issue seeks to examine the multifaceted relationship between nonhumans and Orthodox Christianity, as well as their representation and impact on contemporary cultural discourse.
We welcome contributions that explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:
Theological Perspectives: Examinations of Orthodox theological perspectives on nonhuman life, including discussions of the divine presence in creation, stewardship of the natural world, and the ethical treatment of animals.
Iconography and Artistic Representation: Analyses of nonhumans in Orthodox iconography, art, and visual culture, exploring how animals, AI, and other nonhuman entities are depicted and interpreted within Orthodox artistic traditions.
Ethics and Morality: Discussions on the ethical considerations surrounding human interactions with nonhuman beings, including issues of animal rights, environmental ethics, and the ethical implications of AI and technology.
Literature and Narrative: Studies of nonhuman characters and themes in Orthodox literature, folklore, and narrative traditions, examining how these representations reflect cultural attitudes and beliefs.
Technology and AI: Explorations of the intersection between Orthodox theology and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, considering the theological implications of human creations that mimic or surpass human capabilities.
Ecological Theology: Reflections on Orthodox perspectives on environmentalism, ecology, and the interconnectedness of all living beings within the divine cosmos.
Interfaith Dialogue: Comparative studies examining the treatment of nonhumans in Orthodox Christianity alongside other religious traditions, fostering dialogue and understanding across diverse spiritual perspectives.
The Wheel encourages interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approaches to these topics, welcoming contributions from scholars working in theology, philosophy, ethics, literature, art history, environmental studies, and related fields.
Submissions may take the form of scholarly articles, essays, creative writing, visual artworks, interviews, or reflections from practitioners. We also welcome proposals for curated thematic sections or collaborative projects.
Please submit abstracts (250-300 words) or proposals outlining the intended contribution for the editor's consideration. Completed submissions should adhere to The Wheel's guidelines for formatting and citation style. Final submissions are due by April 22, 2024.
For inquiries or to submit contributions, please contact editors@wheeljournal.org.
We look forward to engaging with diverse perspectives on the theme of "Nonhumans" and its significance within Orthodox Christianity and contemporary culture.