November 2025 - News - Philosophy bulletin board

by Martin Kusch

Dear All, The next talk in the "Wittgenstein=steine" series is this Friday (June 13th) at 3pm in room NIG 3D. The speaker is Konstantin Deininger, and his title is: _"On the Material and Formal Aspects of (Moral) Certainty"_. Abstract: Does morality have a binding character in the sense that chains of justification come to an end? In this talk, I will affirm this question and argue that we can plausibly distinguish between formal and material aspects of moral certainty. As a starting point, I will interpret Wittgenstein's idea of "bedrock," introduced in §217 of the Philosophical Investigations, as standing for the end of a chain of reasoning. In doing so, I align with certain Wittgensteinian interpreters who maintain that some chains of moral reasoning end with certainty. However, I will arrive at deviating conclusions by demonstrating that different kinds of moral certainties function in different ways. Wittgensteinian scholars such as Cora Diamond and Nigel Pleasants correctly identify the formal aspect of moral certainty, showing that some propositions resist justification and doubt. However, the candidates for formal certainties they propose do not fully satisfy the criteria of certainty. This, I argue, is due to their failure to adequately distinguish between the formal and material aspects of certainty. Material certainties, such as Diamond's "slavery is unjust and insupportable" or Pleasants' "killing is wrong," remain intelligible to some extent and are thus subject to justification and doubt. Still, these propositions function as regress stoppers by putting an end to the chain of reasoning--but they do not mark the boundary of the unintelligible as formal certainties do. Drawing on Wittgenstein's later writings, I will argue that only formal certainties--which I refer to as transcendental certainties--are entirely exempt from justification and doubt. I identify the principle "equals are to be treated equally" as a plausible candidate for transcendental certainty. This certainty is foundational to moral reasoning and enables moral thought. I illustrate its role through debates on justice in animal ethics. Everybody welcome! Best wishes from the organizers, Esther Heinrich-Ramharter Anja Weiberg Martin Kusch

2 months

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33rd Vienna Circle Lecture | Lydia Patton | Testing Scientific Theories | December 11, Vienna

by Zarah Weiss

The Institute Vienna Circle and the Vienna Circle Society cordially invite you to the 33rd Vienna Circle Lecture Lydia Patton (Virginia Tech) Testing Scientific Theories Thursday, December 11, 2025 5 pm Aula am Campus University of Vienna Hof 1, Eingang 1.11 Spitalgasse 2-4 1090 Vienna Registration for the event in Vienna: <mailto:vcs@univie.ac.at> vcs(a)univie.ac.at No registration fee Abstract What scientists call 'post-data analysis' is often considered to be a purely statistical process separate from theory. Data gathered from experiment is analyzed to determine whether the experiment yields a genuine result. Scientific theories are more often associated with earlier phases of scientific testing, as in Popper's account based on framing bold conjectures before setting up experiments and gathering data. This talk will motivate an account of scientific theory testing that incorporates not just hypothesis generation and experiment, but also post-data analysis. Theories provide essential frameworks for post-data analysis, by setting standards for measurement and inference, for instance. Theories are truly tested in the post-data phase as well. I draw on insights from Hermann Cohen, Ernst Cassirer, and Rudolf Carnap regarding the clarification and interpretation of scientific theories in the context of the 'fact of science'. Moving beyond these accounts, I argue that evaluating theories in the context of existing results is crucial not just to interpreting theories, but to testing them as well. Drawing on Adam Koberinski's account of generalized frameworks in physics, I develop an account of theory testing that incorporates post-data analysis. The perhaps surprising consequence is that, under the right conditions, one can test a theory even with old results. Short Bio Lydia Patton is Professor of Philosophy at Virginia Tech. Patton's research focuses on the development of scientific theories, methods, and practices, and has appeared in venues including The Monist, Synthese, Kant-Studien, Historia Mathematica, and Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics. Patton has served as Editor in Chief of HOPOS and currently edits two book series. In 2022 she was John N. Findlay Visiting Professor at Boston University. As part of the conference The Form of Science - Philosophy of Science in neo-Kantianism December 10-12, 2025 University of Vienna - Main Building Organized by: Georg Schiemer and Moritz Bodner (University of Vienna, ERC Project: "The Formal Turn - The Emergence of Formalism in Twentieth-Century Thought") https://formalism.phl.univie.ac.at/events/international-conference-the-form- of-science/

5 months, 3 weeks

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IVC Talk: Jose Alejandro Fernandez Cuesta (Complutense University of Madrid) on "Quantum Propositions and Logical Monism", November 13, 4.45 pm

by Zarah Weiss

Dear all, our next speaker in the Philosophy of Science Colloquium organized by the Institute Vienna Circle is Jose Alejandro Fernandez Cuesta (Complutense University of Madrid), who will give a talk on November 13, 4.45-6.15 pm. All are welcome! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Philosophy of Science Colloquium TALK: Jose Alejandro Fernandez Cuesta (Complutense University of Madrid)* Quantum Propositions and Logical Monism Philosophy of Science Colloquium The Institute Vienna Circle holds a Philosophy of Science Colloquium with talks by our present fellows. *Date:* 13/11/2025 *Time:*16h45 *Venue:*New Institute Building (NIG), Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, HS 2i *Abstract:* In this talk, I will briefly present the formalism of standard quantum logics (QLs) and examine /sui generis/ features that seem to set them apart from other non‑classical logics. I will focus on their being plausibly "discovered" and on their apparent lack of interpretative utility in the philosophy of physics. On the usual presentation, QLs are introduced via a set of experimental propositions ("physical qualities"), informally specified in natural language as a response to these peculiarities; this apparatus has been used to draw a tenuous link between the semantics of QLs and the interpretation of certain experimentally obtained yet conceptually problematic results in quantum mechanics. I argue that this apparatus is philosophically relevant only under a prior commitment to logical monism –indeed, logical monism holds iff the experimental‑propositions apparatus is in place– and I offer several critiques of both. Rejecting both the monist commitment and the apparatus allows a reassessment of the sui generis properties of QLs and their philosophical interpretation.

5 months, 3 weeks

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UPSalon Stammtisch: 4.12., 20:00, Café Weingartner

by Initiative to Support Women in Academic Philosophy

Dear all, the termino has spoken and we found a date & venue for the December Stammtisch of UPSalon - a Salon for Underrepresented Philosophers! Please save the date: Thursday, December 4th at 20:00, Café Weingartner. [1] At the meeting, we will exchange our experiences, discuss our future activites, and play a round of Billiard if we feel like it! UPSalon are a group of students, doctoral and post-doctoral researchers at the department of philosophy; the initiative aims at creating a space and community in Vienna where underrepresented philosophers - such as women, trans, inter and non-binary persons, BIPOC, socioeconomically disadvantaged people, queer people, and people with disabilities - can connect on a regular basis. For more information, check out our website [2]! We are very much looking forward to meeting all of you other underrepresented philosophers! Do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions you may have. Best regards, UPSalon Mail: upsalon.philosophy(a)univie.ac.at Web: https://upsalon.univie.ac.at Links: ------ [1] https://www.weingartner.co.at/ [2] https://upsalon.univie.ac.at/

5 months, 4 weeks

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Erinnerung: Trans*Formations Workshop mit Jonah I. Garde

by Flora Löffelmann

Liebe alle, es ist eine große Freude, euch zur nächsten Trans*Formations Veranstaltung am Institut für Philosophie einzuladen. Der Workshop Trans*Modernität, Trans Kolonialität? wird am 11.12.2025 von 16:45 bis 18:45 im HS 3A, NIG (Universitätsstraße 7) von Dr. Jonah I. Garde (UBC) gehalten. Derzeit gibt es noch sechs Plätze! Da vor dem Workshop Texte zu lesen sind, wird um eine rasche Anmeldung über U:Cris unter diesem Link [1] gebeten. Danke an die Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy [2] (VDP) für ihre finanzielle Unterstützung! Abstract: Was hat trans* Geschichte mit Kolonialgeschichte zu tun und welche kolonialen Spuren finden wir in heutigen Vorstellungen und Praktiken rund um Geschlecht, Körper und Identität? Inwiefern ist die Pathologisierung von trans* Körpern ein Produkt der Moderne und was bedeutete es, diese Fragen im österreichischen Kontext zu stellen?   Vor dem Hintergrund der kürzlich erschienen Monographie _Trans* Geschichten der Moderne_ (transcript, 2025), werden Teilnehmer_innen zwei kurze Texte lesen, die sich mit den verwobenen Geschichten von Geschlecht, (Siedlungs-)Kolonialismus und Moderne beschäftigen. Gemeinsam werden wir diskutieren, was die Anerkennung dieser Verflechtungen für trans Aktivismen und Politiken in der Gegenwart und in unserem jeweiligen Kontext bedeutet. Bio: Dr. Jonah I. Garde ist Banting Postdoctoral Fellow am Department for Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies an der University of British Columbia. Garde promovierte 2023 an der Universität Bern im Fach Gender Studies und forscht an der Schnittstelle von Trans Studies, Cultural Studies, Geschichte, Erinnerungspolitik und Affekten. Der Workshop richtet sich an Studierende und Lehrende unabhängig ihres vorherigen Erfahrungsstandes und wird auf Deutsch stattfinden. Vor dem Workshop werden die im Abstract genannten Texte an die Teilnehmer*innen ausgeschickt. Anmeldung über u:rise unter diesem LINK [1]. Für Snacks und Getränke wird gesorgt! Anbei findet sich auch ein Poster für die Veranstaltung, wir freuen uns, wenn dieses sowie die Einladung an andere Interessierte weitergeleitet wird! Am 3.12. 2025 wird Jonah I. Garde außerdem um 18:30 im QWien [3], Wiens queerem Kulturzentrum, das Buch _Trans* Geschichten der Moderne_ (transcript, 2025) präsentieren, auch hierzu eine herzliche Einladung [4]! Mit lieben Grüßen, Flora Löffelmann im Namen des Organisationsteams -- Flora Löffelmann, MA MA Stipendiat:in der Literar Mechana Department of Philosophy University of Vienna Pronouns: they/them (for more info see: https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why/) Happy about a gender neutral "hello"! Links: ------ [1] https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?optionid=1755&cmi… [2] https://vd-philosophy.univie.ac.at/ [3] https://www.qwien.at/ [4] https://www.qwien.at/veranstaltungen/transgeschichten-jonah-i-garde/

6 months

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Werkstatt Phänomenologie

by Georg Harfensteller

Liebe Alle, Am Dienstag, den 25.11, um 18 Uhr im Raum 3A findet der lang ersehnte Neustart unserer Veranstaltungsreihe "Werkstatt Phänomenologie" statt. Als Forum für (Nachwuchs-)Wissenschaftler:innen werden eigene Vorträge und Texte vorgestellt und gemeinsam besprochen. Das Programm für die nächsten Termine finden Sie im Anhang dieser Mail. Wir freuen uns, Sie bei uns begrüßen zu können. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Forschungskreis Phänomenologie i.A. Georg Harfensteller

6 months

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Einladung zur FöP am 3. Dezember 2025 / Invitation to the FöP on December 3, 2025

by Isabel Seelmann

Liebe alle, wir laden herzlich zur nächsten Fakultätsöffentlichen Präsentation von Dissertationsprojekten (FöP) ein. Die Veranstaltung findet am Mittwoch, den 3. Dezember 2025, um 13:15 Uhr im Seminarraum 3A (NIG, 3. Stock) statt. Im Anschluss an die Präsentationen laden wir herzlich zu einem gemeinsamen Austausch bei einem Buffet ein. Das Catering wird mit freundlicher Unterstützung der Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy (VDP) ermöglicht. Programm: 13:15 Uhr: Isis Daras, BA MA The Shadows of Nihilism: Uncritical Submission to Meaning in Nietzsche, Camus and Patočka Betreuung: Mag. Dr. Michael Staudigl, Privatdoz. Mag. Dr. Sandra Lehmann, Privatdoz. 13:45 Uhr: Dr. iur. Max Cornelson, MA Rechtsnorm und ethische Geltung. Grundzüge einer schlusslogischen Rechtsbegründung Betreuung: tit. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kurt Walter Zeidler, Privatdoz. Univ.-Prof. Dr. iur. Anne Kühler, BA LL.M., Wir freuen uns sehr auf Ihre Teilnahme! Die Einladung kann gerne an interessierte Personen weitergeleitet werden. Mit herzlichen Grüßen Univ.-Prof. Dr. Benjamin Schnieder Studienprogrammleitung Doktoratsstudium Philosophie (SPL 43) *** Dear all, We warmly invite you to the upcoming Public Faculty Presentation of Dissertation Projects (FöP). The event will take place on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 1:15 p.m., in Seminar Room 3A (NIG, 3rd floor). Following the presentations, we warmly invite you to join us for a buffet reception. The catering is kindly supported by the Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy (VDP). Programme: 1:15 p.m. Isis Daras, BA MA The Shadows of Nihilism: Uncritical Submission to Meaning in Nietzsche, Camus and Patočka Supervision: Mag. Dr. Michael Staudigl, Privatdoz. Mag. Dr. Sandra Lehmann, Privatdoz. 1:45 p.m. Dr. iur. Max Cornelson, MA Rechtsnorm und ethische Geltung. Grundzüge einer schlusslogischen Rechtsbegründung Supervision: tit. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Kurt Walter Zeidler, Privatdoz. Univ.-Prof. Dr. iur. Anne Kühler, BA LL.M. We are very much looking forward to your participation! Please feel free to share this invitation with anyone who may be interested. With best wishes, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Benjamin Schnieder Director of the Doctoral Program in Philosophy (SPL 43)

6 months

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Einladung: Trans*Formations Workshop mit Jonah I. Garde, 11.12.

by Flora Löffelmann

Liebe alle, es ist eine große Freude, euch zur nächsten Trans*Formations Veranstaltung am Institut für Philosophie einzuladen. Der Workshop Trans*Modernität, Trans Kolonialität? wird am 11.12.2025 von 16:45 bis 18:45 im HS 3A, NIG (Universitätsstraße 7) von Dr. Jonah I. Garde (UBC) gehalten. Danke an die Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy [1] (VDP) für ihre finanzielle Unterstützung! Abstract: Was hat trans* Geschichte mit Kolonialgeschichte zu tun und welche kolonialen Spuren finden wir in heutigen Vorstellungen und Praktiken rund um Geschlecht, Körper und Identität? Inwiefern ist die Pathologisierung von trans* Körpern ein Produkt der Moderne und was bedeutete es, diese Fragen im österreichischen Kontext zu stellen?   Vor dem Hintergrund der kürzlich erschienen Monographie _Trans* Geschichten der Moderne_ (transcript, 2025), werden Teilnehmer_innen zwei kurze Texte lesen, die sich mit den verwobenen Geschichten von Geschlecht, (Siedlungs-)Kolonialismus und Moderne beschäftigen. Gemeinsam werden wir diskutieren, was die Anerkennung dieser Verflechtungen für trans Aktivismen und Politiken in der Gegenwart und in unserem jeweiligen Kontext bedeutet. Bio: Dr. Jonah I. Garde ist Banting Postdoctoral Fellow am Department for Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies an der University of British Columbia. Garde promovierte 2023 an der Universität Bern im Fach Gender Studies und forscht an der Schnittstelle von Trans Studies, Cultural Studies, Geschichte, Erinnerungspolitik und Affekten. Der Workshop richtet sich an Studierende und Lehrende unabhängig ihres vorherigen Erfahrungsstandes und wird auf Deutsch stattfinden. Vor dem Workshop werden die im Abstract genannten Texte an die Teilnehmer*innen ausgeschickt. Anmeldung über u:rise unter diesem LINK [2]. Für Snacks und Getränke wird gesorgt! Anbei findet sich auch ein Poster für die Veranstaltung, wir freuen uns, wenn dieses sowie die Einladung an andere Interessierte weitergeleitet wird! Am 3.12. 2025 wird Jonah I. Garde außerdem um 18:30 im QWien [3], Wiens queerem Kulturzentrum, das Buch _Trans* Geschichten der Moderne_ (transcript, 2025) präsentieren, auch hierzu eine herzliche Einladung [4]! Mit lieben Grüßen, Flora Löffelmann im Namen des Organisationsteams -- Flora Löffelmann, MA MA Stipendiat:in der Literar Mechana Department of Philosophy University of Vienna Pronouns: they/them (for more info see: https://www.mypronouns.org/what-and-why/) Happy about a gender neutral "hello"! Links: ------ [1] https://vd-philosophy.univie.ac.at/ [2] https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?optionid=1755&cmi… [3] https://www.qwien.at/ [4] https://www.qwien.at/veranstaltungen/transgeschichten-jonah-i-garde/

6 months

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Vortrag mit Diskussion von Dr. Werner TITELBACH (27.11.25, KoPhil)

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag! Wir möchten Sie über die folgende Veranstaltung informieren, die vor Ort am Institut für Philosophie stattfindet: *** Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, liebe Kollegen/innen, Im Folgenden eine Information über die Veranstaltung des KoPhil-Vereins an folgendem Abend: DO.27. November 2025, 18:30, HS 3G Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien 1010 Wien, Universitätsstr. 7 (NIG) 2. Stock Vortrag mit Diskussion von Dr. Werner TITELBACH: Daoismus Bewusstsein und artificial intelligence Zhuangzis Technikkritik im Hinblick auf neue Technologien Organisiert von: Verein für Komparative Philosophie und Interdisziplinäre Bildung / KoPhil Eintritt frei Näheres finden Sie im Attachment sowie unter https://www.kophil-interdis.at/pages/aktuelle-termine.php Mit freundlichen Grüßen Präsidium des Vereins für Komparative Philosophie und Interdisziplinäre Bildung / KoPhil https://www.kophil-interdis.at

6 months

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Call for Applications - Summer School on Global Health - Vienna July 2026

by Vienna Circle Society

Summer School Call for Applications (Deadline: February 15, 2026) 24th univie: summer school Scientific World Conceptions (USS-SWC) GLOBAL HEALTH Vienna, July 6-10, 2026 https://summerschool-ivc.univie.ac.at/ Course Description Global health has attracted wide attention. This program will explore this interdisciplinary topic from a variety different but interrelated perspectives. First, global health reveals significant health disparities: but what causes these, and which disparities are unjust and demand redress? How types of social oppression such as, racism and heterosexism relate to health injustices will be explored, alongside investigating the contentious role of advocacy in public health. Second, global health reveals dilemmas between individual rights and communal benefits. For example, clinical trials funded by Western pharmaceutical companies benefit and exploit participants in low-income countries; measures to control the spread of Covid-19 protected and restricted individuals; and international differences in assisted dying legislation largely depend on how much a jurisdiction values individual autonomy. Such dilemmas are viewed through a philosophical bioethics/public health ethics lens. Third, global health will be explored from a sociological and humanistic perspective, emphasizing how health is shaped by global interdependencies, power relations, and cultural meanings. Moving beyond biomedical paradigms, the sociology of health can highlight the social, political, and epistemological dimensions of illness, care, and inequality. In addition, Graphic Medicine as an innovative visual and narrative approach to representing experiences of vulnerability and global crisis, will be introduced. Topics will be selected reflecting participants interests and may include: * History of efforts to account for what causes public health disparities, and what makes a disparity an injustice/inequity in need of intervention * Efforts to theorize how various types of social oppression relate to health injustices and the amelioration of those injustices * Role of advocacy in public health, including limits on the roles of public health experts in crafting social policies around issues such as immigration and climate change * Ethics of clinical trials by Western pharmaceutical companies that take place in low-income countries * Justification for liberty-limiting measures to control the spread of Covid-19 around the globe * International differences in forms of assisted dying and which, if any, are justifiable. * The conceptual evolution from Public Health to One Health and Planetary Health, focusing on how sociological approaches reframe health as a relational and systemic phenomenon * Postcolonial and decolonial perspectives, questioning how global health reproduces colonial hierarchies and epistemic injustices * Visual storytelling: how comics and graphic narratives contribute to understanding emotional labour, care, and social inequality in health Lecturers: Stephen Holland (University of York) Stephen Holland is a Professor in the Departments of Philosophy and Health Sciences, University of York. Stephens main research interests are in ethics, including moral and political philosophy, bioethics, and public health ethics. As well as numerous articles, he is the author of Bioethics: A Philosophical Introduction and Public Health Ethics, both published by Polity, and Ethics and Governance of Public Health Information, published by Rowman & Littlefield. He is currently working on a book on assisted dying, due to be published by Polity next year. Veronica Moretti (University of Bologna) Veronica Moretti is an Associate Professor at the University of Bologna and a member of the University Bioethics Committee. Her main research interests lie in the field of creative and participatory methods within the sociology of health and illness, and in the intersections between technology and human practices, with a specific emphasis on digital health theories. She is co-coordinator of the ESA Research Network 22 Sociology of Risk and Uncertainties, a board member of the European Society for Health and Medical Sociology (ESHMS), and one of the founders of Graphic Medicine Italia. Her latest publication, The Social Genre of Comics (Palgrave, 2025), investigates how comics can function as a social and epistemological genre within the humanities and social sciences. Sean A. Valles (Michigan State University) Sean A. Valles, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Michigan State University Center for Bioethics and Social Justice and Director of Learning Environment for the College of Human Medicine. Dr. Valles is a philosopher of health specializing in the ethical and evidentiary complexities of how social contexts combine to create patterns of inequitable health disparities. His work includes studying the challenges of responsibly using race and ethnicity concepts in monitoring health disparities, scrutinizing the rhetoric of the COVID-19 pandemic as an unprecedented problem that could not be prepared for, and examining how biomedicine meshes with public health and population health. Dr. Valles is author of the 2018 book Philosophy of Population Health: Philosophy for a New Public Health Era. He is also co-editor of the Oxford University Press book series "Bioethics for Social Justice. Dr. Valles received his PhD in history and philosophy of science from Indiana University Bloomington. Application form and further information: <https://summerschool-ivc.univie.ac.at/application/> https://summerschool-ivc.univie.ac.at/application/ USS-SWC operates under the academic supervision of an International Program Committee of distinguished philosophers, historians, and scientists. Its members represent the scientific fields in the scope of USS-SWC, make contact to their home universities and will also support acknowledgement of courses taken by the students. The annual summer school is organised by the Institute Vienna Circle of the University of Vienna. <https://wienerkreis.univie.ac.at/> https://wienerkreis.univie.ac.at/ Find information about our exchange programme with Duke University (North Carolina) here: <https://international.univie.ac.at/en/international-cooperation/university- wide-partnership-agreements/north-america/> https://international.univie.ac.at/en/international-cooperation/university-w ide-partnership-agreements/north-america/ Inquiries: Administrator: Zarah Weiss Institute Vienna Circle Alser Straße 23/32 1080 Wien <mailto:summerschool.ivc@univie.ac.at> summerschool.ivc(a)univie.ac.at Scientific director: Georg Schiemer Institute Vienna Circle Alser Straße 23/32 1080 Wien <mailto:georg.schiemer@univie.ac.at> georg.schiemer(a)univie.ac.at

6 months, 1 week

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