The World Congress on Logic and Religion - WoCoLor

Although logic, a symbol of rationality, may appear to be opposed to religion, both have a long history of cooperation. Logical concepts and tools have always played important roles in the world's religious traditions; philosophical theology has provided many illustrious attempts to prove the existence of God. Nevertheless, it seems that as an academic field, the area of logic and religion has not yet been consolidated. 

The purpose of the World Congress on Logic and Religion (WoCoLoR) series is to bridge this gap by providing a place where scholars from all fields, as well as theologians of all religions, can come together to hear from one another about the latest developments in the relationship between logic and religion, reason and faith, rational inquiry and divine revelation. 

Submission

The 3rd World Congress on Logic and Religion - WoCoLoR will take place at the Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, in Varanasi, India, November 4-8, 2022. We invite submissions of contributed papers on general topics related to Logic and Religion, including but not restricted to:

• Arguments for and against God’s existence

• Logic and the concept of God 

• Science and religion

• Rationality and religious belief

• Argumentation and reason in world religious traditions

• Justification in religious legal traditions

• Non-classical logics and religion

• Religion and history of logic

Abstracts must have a maximum of 600 words and be written in English according to our template; they must be submitted via Easychair (note that prior registration with EasyChair is required). If the abstract is being submitted to a workshop (see below), the title of the workshop should be one of the keywords. At least one author of each accepted paper must register for the congress. 

Publications

Accepted abstracts will be published in the congress proceedings, which will be available during the congress. After the meeting authors will be invited to submit a complete version of their works, which will be peer-reviewed and published in a book and/or special issues of journals with publishers of international recognition. Peer-reviewed papers of previous WoCoLoR’s appeared as special issues of Logica Universalis (Springer), Sophia (Springer) and the Journal of Applied Logics (College Publications). For more details click here.

Workshops

The following workshops will happen inside the 3rd WoCoLoR:

• Consciousness and the Self

• Formal Natural Theology

• Judaism, Christianity and Logic

• Logic and Religion in Schopenhauer

• Logic of Paradise

• Mathematics and Religion

• Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Logic

• Catuskoti and Sunyata

Brandon Rickabaugh

Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida (USA)

Sachchidanand Mishra

Banares Hindu University (India)

Piergiorgio Odifreddi

University of Turin (Italy)

Miray Yazgan

Istanbul University (Turkey)

Purushottama Bilimoria

RUDN University (Russia)

Shewli Dutta

Vidyasagar University (India)

Ngawang Samten

Central University for Tibetan Studies (India)

Umashankar Vyas

Nava Nalanda Mahavihara University (India)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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After the registration you get the right to participate in the 3rd World Congress on Logic and Religion (at Banaras Hindu University, November 4-8, 2022), including participation in academic sessions, receiving materials distributed by the Organizers, access to coffee breaks and branches served for participants. You are obliged to pay a conference fee according to your situation.

Click here to read LARA's regulation and privacy policy. 

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Registration Fees 

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• Early Bird (payment until September 30th, 2022)

200 EUR - Regular fee

100 EUR - Reduced fee (professors and researchers with annual income below 12,000 EUR)

50 EUR  - Graduate student fee ​

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• Late Registration (payment after September 30th, 2022, or on location)

400 EUR - Regular fee

200 EUR - Reduced fee (professors and researchers with annual income below 12,000 EUR) 

100 EUR - Graduate student fee

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Important Notes

1. Undergraduate students are exempt from the fee.

2. The fee can be paid on the spot either in American dollar, Euro or Indian Rupee.

3. If your annual income is above 1,200 EUR but you still think that the reduced fee applies to you, then send an email to m.trepczynski@uw.edu.pl stating your reasons.

GOING TO VARANASI

• Letter of Invitation from BHU. If you need a letter of invitation from the BHU for visa purposes, please fill out this WORD document with your name, institution and country, and title of your submission, and send an email to wocolor2022@gmail.com with the document attached. It will be returned to you signed by Prof. Tanmoy Som from BHU.

• Accommodation. 

  • We recommend that you book your accommodation as soon as possible because many people travel to Varanasi at this time of year for the Kartik Purnima festival.

  • We are working with a travel agency in Varanasi that can make the booking for you:
    Anurag Destination & Event Management Pvt. Ltd.
    Anurag K Dwivedi |  Managing DirectorEmail: anurag@anuragtravels.com, info@anuragtravels.com 
    Tel: + 91 0542-2310301, 0542-2313336 or 0542-2970970 
    Mob: 9415223336, 9696694545, 9389865655, 7007115363 or 9026090560
    Add: B1/89 1-k Assi (near Mumukshu bhawan) Lanka Road, Varanasi (U.P) 

  • Or, of course, you can directly book your accommodation using, for example, Booking, Expedia, TripAdvisor, or MakeMyTrip.

  • What is important is to choose a hotel in Assi Ghat or between Assi Ghat and BHU, so that everything is within walking distance.

• Travel to Varanasi.

  • The two closest international airports to Varanasi are Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport) and Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport).

  • From there, you can take a flight to Varanasi airport (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport) from a local airline:

    • Flight tickets can be booked directly on the airline’s website, or through Indigo, Expedia, or MakeMyTrip, for example.

    • Mumbai to Varanasi; 6 direct flights per day with airlines: Vistara, IndiGo, Air India, Spice Jet, Go first, ca. 2 h 15 min flight (cost ca. 75-80 euros one-way, ca. 150 Euros return).

    • Delhi to Varanasi 11 direct flights per day with the same airlines, ca. 1 h 25 min flight (cost ca. 65 euros one-way, ca. 130 Euros return).

    • Take a pre-paid taxi, in the arrival hall, or ask the hotel for a pick-up/driver.

    • Proximity to IIT BHU from Varanasi Airport: 1h drive, 32 km 

  • Or go to Varanasi by train:
    • Consult the website https://www.railyatri.in/ or contact the travel agency.
    • Train ticket prices depend on the type of seat (sleeper class, AC 2 tier, AC 3 tier, 1st class), and should be booked at least a few days (or a few weeks) in advance.
    • Proximity to IIT BHU in Varanasi from:
      Varanasi Junction train station -> IIT BHU: 30 mins, 11 km
      Mughalsarai Junction train station -> IIT BHU: 35 mins, 20 km
    • Sample train connections (from Delhi) (depending on the day and availability):
      New Delhi Railway Station to Varanasi Junction (ca. 8-10,5 h train)
      •    Train no: 22436, Varanasi Vande Bharat Express, day train, 8h
      •    Train no: 12560, Banaras Shiv Ganga Sf Exp, night train, 10h 20 mins
      New Delhi Railway Station to Mughalsarai Junction (ca. 9-10,5 h train)
      •    Train no: 12398 Gaya Mahabodhi Express, day train, 10,5 h
      •    Train no: 12282 Bhubaneshwar Duonto Express, day train, 9h
      •    Train no: 12274 Howrah Duronto Express, day train, 9,5 h
      •    Train no: 22450 Guwahati Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express, night train, 11h

• Indian currency.

  • On arrival at Mumbai/Delhi or Varanasi airport, withdraw cash from ATM (up to 10,000 rupees)

  • Preferably, use a charge card and automatic teller machines (ATM). It is the most favorable rate you will get. 

  • If your debit card doesn't work at bank X, it will likely work at bank Y or Z. Don't panic if it is denied at the first machine you try. Use your charge card everywhere else and request the transaction in rupees (instead of dollars, euros, etc.). The conversion rate of your bank is usually less than what the merchant will charge you. If you need more money during your trip, you will find ATMs wherever you go.

  • Make sure your credit card has no foreign transaction fees otherwise you are likely to pay extra % additional on all transactions.

• Internet connection.

  • With pre-paid sim cards: for example, Airtel or Vodafone purchased on arrival, ca. 2 days to process, a passport photocopy is required.

  • Portable hotspot devices:
    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/most-searched-products/electronics/wifi-routers/hotspot-devices-for-a-fast-and-stable-internet-connection/articleshow/78060561.cm

  • Free Wifi is available at airports, restaurants, and hotels.

  • Power outages are common, try to charge your electric devices at night and consider taking a power bank (and a small torch).

• Well-being-related tips.

  • Covid-19 Vaccinations. Check covid-19 regulations before departure, the current measures are:

    • Submit a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha portal;

    • Mention the date of vaccination or RT PCR test conducted, while filling the Self-declaration form;

    • Carry the negative report of COVID-19 RT-PCR test conducted within 72 hrs prior to undertaking the journey, (to be verified by Airport officials, OR carry a Certificate of completing the full primary vaccination schedule of COVID-19 vaccination (to be verified by Airport officials);

    • Exit the airport or take connecting flights, upon arrival in India;

    • Self-monitor their health for the next 14 days of arrival.

    • See also:
      https://www.newdelhiairport.in/covid19#:~:text=Self%20isolation%20for%20passengers%20arriving,report%20results%20are%20not%20received.&text=07%20days%20of%20Home%20Quarantine,passengers%20arriving%20from%20other%20states 
      https://www.newdelhiairport.in/pdf/Guidelines-for-International-arrivals-updated-on-10th-February-2022-11-02-22.pdf 

  • Other vaccinations are to be done at least a month before the trip; check with your doctor/general practitioner. Frequently recommended: hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio booster, tetanus booster.

  • Mosquitos: bring DEET mosquito spray or a spray with citronella oil; on arrival, you might want to purchase: an All-Out/Raid plug-in device and Odomos cream (or similar).

  • Food/diet: vegetarian options are a standard. Dining areas outside BHU campus are spread around: Lanka, Assi Ghat, Bengalitola College [Rd], Godowlia, and Dashashwamed. 

  • Preventing stomach problems: wash your hands regularly, and use hand wipes and/or anti-bacterial hand gel. Drink bottled water, and avoid eating raw vegetables, fruits, and water/ice-based fresh drinks/smoothies. Use filtered/bottled water to brush your teeth. In the event of diarrhea, purchase Loperamide (Immodium) in the nearest pharmacy.

  • Medicines: take only your regular medication, other medicines (paracetamol, ibuprofen, antiseptic creams, etc.) can be purchased on the spot at the pharmacy counter. 

  • Sun protection: the weather in November is rather comfortable, the maximal daily temperature reaches 30°C (86°F) and drops to 15°C (59° F) at night.

• Extra tips.

  • You might want to bring with you: electrolytes, sunscreen, head cover, handheld fan, sunglasses/shades, comfortable light shoes, and sandals. 

  • Dress code: university etiquette, light fabric like linen or cotton (longer pants/dress, shirt/tops with a sleeve, sandals/light shoes). You might want to purchase Indian outfits in the nearby boutiques (FabIndia has fixed prices).

  • Noise sensitivity: the IIT BHU area is calm at night. If you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.

  • On some streets, backpacking is easier than carrying a suitcase. 

  • Most toilets are of the squat type and toilet paper is not provided everywhere, carry a toilet roll or a pack of tissues with you. 

  • Tea (chai) is more popular than coffee. If you are a heavy coffee drinker, you will be able to get a coffee outside of campus at nearby cafés. You may carry instant coffee sachets or a small coffee pack with you (and ask for hot milk or hot water).

CONTRIBUTED TALKS

• Musa Akrami, Islamic Azad University, Iran

• Stanisław Krajewski, University of Warsaw, Poland 

• Newton da Costa, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil

• Gianfranco Basti, Pontifical Lateran University, Vatican

• Christoph Benzmüller, Free University of Berlin, Germany

• Dov Gabbay, King's College London, UK

• Benedikt Paul Göcke, Oxford University, UK

• Agnaldo Cuoco Portugal, University of Brasília, Brazil

• Basil Lourie, University of the Aerospace Instrumentation, Russia

• Eleonore Stump, Saint Louis University, EUA

• Jens Lemanski, University of Hagen, Germany

• Fabio Bertato, University of Campinas, Brazil

• Jean-Yves Beziau (co-chair), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Tanmoy Som (co-chair), Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, India

• Arun Kumar (co-chair), Banaras Hindu University, India

• Arvind Kumar Singh, Banaras Hindu University, India

• Ricardo Sousa Silvestre, Federal University of Campina Grande, Brazil

• Mihir Chakraborty, Jadavpur University, India

• Agnieszka Rostalska, Ghent University, Belgium

• Marcin Trepczyński, University of Warsaw, Poland

• Mikołaj Sławkowski-Rode, University of Warsaw, Poland

• Francisco de Assis Mariano, Boston College, USA

• Toni Cezar Pinto Ferreira Barros, University of Brasilia, Brazil