International Society for the Study of Time

The International Society for the Study of Time (ISST) is an interdisciplinary organization of professional scientists, humanists, and artists. Established by Julius Thomas Fraser in 1966,[1][2] society members study and explore the multiple dimensions and perspectives of time across the disciplines – the role time plays in the physical, organic, intellectual, and social worlds. Many (but by no means all) discussions within ISST revolve around fundamental questions such as:

Pursuing its mission to foster the interdisciplinary study of time, the ISST produces two peer-reviewed publications in association with Brill Publishers: a journal, KronoScope,[3] and a series of volumes, The Study of Time,[4] comprising papers selected from triennial conferences. The Society also publishes an aperiodical news letter, Time's News.

History

The ISST was founded in 1966 and held its first meeting in 1969 at the Mathematisches Forschunginstitut, Oberwolfach, Federal Republic of Germany; August 31-September 6, 1969. The first officers were Gerald James Whitrow, University of London-Mathematics (President); Julius Thomas Fraser, The Study of Time (Secretary); M. Satoshi Watanabe, Yale University-Physics (Treasurer).[1][5] While it took four years to mount the next conference beside Lake Yamanaka in Japan (July 3–8, 1973), conferences have taken place roughly every three years at different sites around the globe. Time is a fundamental feature of the physical universe and it is intimately connected with any life process. The passage of time has been of concern to all great religions and philosophies, and has found an infinite variety of expressions in the arts. No other single aspect of reality relates more directly to basic human needs and desires. The mission of the ISST is to support studies of time and to foster the cross-disciplinary exchange and pollination of ideas.

Conferences

Every three years, the ISST sponsors a themed conference for the exchange of ideas among its members. Themes encompass topics such as Time and Memory (Cambridge University, UK), Time, Order and Chaos (St. Adèle Canada), Origins and Futures (Monteverde, Costa Rica), Time: Limits and Constraints (Asilomar, USA), Time and Uncertainty (Castello di Gargonza, Italy). The diversity of approaches presented provides rich and fertile ground for discussion, debate, and insight. Although multidisciplinary, panels of speakers are clustered into thematic groupings, and plenty of time is left for questions and an exchange of views. In 2016, Time and Urgency will be the theme of a conference at the University of Edinburgh, 26 June-2 July.[6] The Society encourages convivial discussion by selecting intimate and inspiring locations for the conferences. Conferees typically attend all lectures, and enjoy their coffee breaks and meals together. An optional and organized day-long excursion is traditionally offered mid-conference. ISST also co-sponsors interim conferences in collaboration with other academic organizations. Recent events have included: Time’s Excesses & Eccentricities (University of Caen, France); Time and Emergence (École normale supérieure, Paris, France); and Time and Change in China and the West (Beijing Normal University).

Past Conferences

Forthcoming Conferences

2019: place and theme tbd.

Study of Time: Conference Volumes

References

  1. 1 2 "About ISST". www.studyoftime.org. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  2. ↑ Crawford, Michael J. 2010. "Obituary for Julius T. Fraser (1923-2010)." KronoScope 10 (1-2):12-13. doi: 10.1163/156852410X561808.
  3. ↑ "KronoScope Home". www.kronoscope.net. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  4. ↑ "The Study of Time | Brill". www.brill.com. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  5. ↑ James, Frank A.J.L. 2001. "Gerald James Whitrow, 1912–2000." Astronomy and Geophysics 42 (2):2.35-2.36. doi: doi:10.1046/j.1468-4004.2001.42235.x
  6. ↑ "ISST Home Page". www.studyoftime.org. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
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