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About the Pacific Division

The Pacific Division is one of three divisions that together make up the American Philosophical Association. The APA informally adopted a divisional structure when the Western Philosophical Association, which had been founded in 1900, joined the newly founded APA in 1901. The two Divisions, then known as the Eastern and Western Divisions, cooperated closely thereafter. The Pacific Division appears originally to have been founded in 1924 or 1925 as an independent society for philosophy on the Pacific coast, but it soon joined its sister divisions, adopted its present moniker, and began to hold annual conferences. A constitution adopted by the APA in 1927 enshrined a federal governance model that the APA still uses.

The APA as a whole is governed by a Board of Officers in accordance with the Association’s Bylaws. The Pacific Division is governed in accordance with the APA Bylaws as well as its own Divisional Bylaws, which apportion responsibilities to an Executive Committee, a Nominating Committee, and a Program Committee, which are responsible to the Business Meeting held in conjunction with the annual conference. The executive functions of the APA as a whole are carried out by the Chair of the Board of Officers and the Executive Director. The Pacific Division's day-to-day operations are carried out by its Secretary-Treasurer.

Members of the Pacific Division vote at the Division's Business Meeting and elect its Executive Committee. It is a common myth that members of the Division are those members of the APA who live in the Pacific region. In fact, any Regular Member of the APA may declare an affiliation with the Pacific Division (or either of the other two divisions).

The mission of the Pacific Division, as stated in the APA Bylaws, is to arrange the annual conference held “on or near the Pacific Coast,” and “insofar as is feasible, the raising of such funds as are needed for defraying the expenses of the meeting.” However, in practice, the Division often acts for and in the interest of the APA as a whole and the APA often acts through the Division.

APA members with Pacific Division affiliation, APA members without Pacific Division affiliation, and (aspiring) professional philosophers are all welcome to contribute to the mission of the Pacific Division and the whole APA in any of a number of ways. APA members may submit papers for refereeing and presentation at the annual meeting. Anyone may suggest ideas for invited sessions. The annual conference relies heavily on volunteers to chair sessions and comment on papers. Volunteers for service on the program committee, the nominating committee, and the executive committee are also welcome (simply email the Secretary-Treasurer). Those with views about policy or the operations of the Division are invited to attend and speak at the Business Meeting (held at noon on the Thursday of every annual meeting). Those who are willing to donate their time to any of the tasks that the Division carries out – or should carry out! – please step forward.