December 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

3 weeks

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Phänomenologische Forschungen - Vortrag und Workshop mit Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl: „Zur Kritik der ‚critical phenomenology‘“ (8.1. und 9.1.2026)

by Gerhard Unterthurner

Liebe Kolleg_innen, wir möchten Sie herzlich zur nächsten Veranstaltung der Reihe „Phänomenologische Forschungen“ einladen: *Vortrag und Workshop mit Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl* ** *Do., 8.1.2026, 17:00 Uhr, HS 3A, NIG* VORTRAG: Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl: „Zur Kritik der ‚critical phenomenology‘“ *Fr., 9.1.2026, 9:00–13:00 Uhr, HS 3B, NIG** *WORKSHOP mit Sonja Rinofner-Kreidl Alle sind herzlich willkommen! ** Mit besten Grüßen, Michael Staudigl, Gerhard Unterthurner, Georg Harfensteller

3 months, 1 week

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Ausschreibung: Organisationsassistent*in (5064)

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag! wir möchten Sie über folgende aktuelle Jobausschreibung am Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien informieren: Organisationsassistent*in (5064) Link zur Ausschreibung: <https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5064/> https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5064/ Wir laden alle Interessierten herzlich dazu ein, sich für diese Position zu bewerben. Bitte leiten Sie diese Information auch an potenziell interessierte Personen in Ihrem Umfeld weiter. Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre Unterstützung! Mit freundlichen Grüßen Katherina Krobath ---- Institutskoordination Dipl.-Ing. Katherina Geneviève Krobath, BEd Andreas Wintersperger, MA philosophie(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:philosophie@univie.ac.at> +43(1)4277 46401 Institut für Philosophie Universitätsstraße 7, Raum A316 1010 Wien https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

3 months, 3 weeks

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Job advertisement: University Assistant Praedoc in the research area of Philosophy of Enlightenment and Modernity (5063)

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Dear Sir or Madam, We would like to inform you about the following current job opening at the Department of Philosophy at the University of Vienna: University Assistant Praedoc in the research area of Philosophy of Enlightenment and Modernity (5063) Link to the job posting: https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5063/ We warmly invite all interested individuals to apply for this position. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could share this information with potentially interested individuals in your network. Thank you in advance for your support! Kind regards, Katherina Krobath ---- Institutskoordination Dipl.-Ing. Katherina Geneviève Krobath, BEd Andreas Wintersperger, MA <mailto:philosophie@univie.ac.at> philosophie(a)univie.ac.at +43(1)4277 46401 Institut für Philosophie Universitätsstraße 7, Raum A316 1010 Wien https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

3 months, 3 weeks

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Job advertisement: University Assistant postdoctoral in the research area of Philosophy of Enlightenment and Modernity (5057)

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Dear Sir or Madam, We would like to inform you about the following current job opening at the Department of Philosophy at the University of Vienna: University Assistant postdoctoral, in the research area of Philosophy of Enlightenment and Modernity (5057) Link to the job posting: https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5057/ We warmly invite all interested individuals to apply for this position. We would also greatly appreciate it if you could share this information with potentially interested individuals in your network. Thank you in advance for your support! Kind regards, Katherina Krobath ---- Institutskoordination Dipl.-Ing. Katherina Geneviève Krobath, BEd Andreas Wintersperger, MA <mailto:philosophie@univie.ac.at> philosophie(a)univie.ac.at +43(1)4277 46401 Institut für Philosophie Universitätsstraße 7, Raum A316 1010 Wien https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

3 months, 3 weeks

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IVC Talk: Richard Zach (IVC Fellow and University of Calgary) on "Theories and Models from Hilbert to Tarski", December 18, 4.45 pm

by Zarah Weiss

Dear all, our next speaker in the Philosophy of Science Colloquium organized by the Institute Vienna Circle is Richard Zach (IVC Fellow and University of Calgary), who will give a talk on December 18, 4.45-6.15 pm. All are welcome! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philosophy of Science Colloquium TALK: Richard Zach (IVC Fellow and University of Calgary) Theories and Models from Hilbert to Tarski Philosophy of Science Colloquium The Institute Vienna Circle holds a Philosophy of Science Colloquium with talks by our present fellows. Date: 18/12/2025 Time: 16h45 Venue: New Institute Building (NIG), Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, HS 2i In the 1920s and 30s, the tools of symbolic logic began to be applied to the study of axiomatic theories and their models. Two main traditions can be identified in this regard. The first is the work of David Hilbert on the axiomatic method. He and his students such as Paul Bernays began to formulate axiomatic theories in the predicate calculus at the beginning of the 1920s. On the other hand, Rudolf Carnap and later Alfred Tarski used the simple theory of types as a background theory to formulate axiom systems and their consequences. The talk will survey these traditions and compare their metatheoretical approaches. In Hilbert's case the focus was on proof theoretic questions and investigations such as consistency; in the case of Carnap and Tarski the focus was on model theoretic concepts and questions such as consequence and categoricity.

3 months, 3 weeks

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Reminder: Lydia Patton, "Beyond the Background: Gravitational Waves and the Field Equations" - Physics meets Philosophy

by Sebastian Horvat

Dear all, This is a kind reminder for the next "Physics meets Philosophy" talk (organized in cooperation with the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information) by Lydia Patton (Virginia Tech) Title: Beyond the Background: Gravitational Waves and the Field Equations (see abstract below) Date: December 9th (Tuesday) Time: 14:00-15:30 Location: IQOQI Seminar room (Boltzmanngasse 3, 2nd floor) Zoom link (for those that cannot join in person): https://univienna.zoom.us/j/67236864236?pwd=R6vIJ3Mquf5YTtsxtnlOnI5sJrMVDh.1 Abstract: The field equations of general relativity may be characterized as 'background' equations. That conceptualization implies that the equations are held constant in the background while independent empirical research tests the implications that are drawn from them. In my view, this is an inaccurate picture of how the field equations function in gravitational wave astronomy. The equations were made empirical in a process that involved formal, structural, and empirical reasoning. The paper will lay out an approach that moves beyond the 'background' conception to show how the equations developed with methods of data and waveform analysis in gravitational wave astronomy. For more information on "Physics meets Philosophy", see https://sites.google.com/view/physphilvienna Best wishes Sebastian

4 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/

4 months

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Mini-Workshop: "Contingencies and Confusions: Conceptual Problems in AI Ethics", December 15, 3A

by Leonie Möck

Dear colleagues, dear philosophers of technology, We would like to invite you to a half-day workshop on *"Contingencies and Confusions: Conceptual Problems in AI Ethics"* that will take place at the Department of Philosophy, room *3A* (3rd floor, Neues Institutsgebäude) on *December 15, 9:00-13:00.* Speakers: - Arzu Formánek (IFF, University of Stuttgart): "Intelligence, a Concept in Crisis: What it is, where it Misleads, and how to Rebuild it" - Pia-Zoe Hahne (University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna): "'Trust the Machine?': Conceptualising Trust in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence" - Anna Puzio (University of Bern): "Artificial Life? Rethinking the Boundaries between Human and Non-Human, Life and Non-Life" - Friderike Spang (Czech Academy of Sciences): "Non-Anthropocentric AI? Possibilities and Risks for Representing Non-Human Animals" We appreciate advance registration. Best regards, Leonie Bossert & Leonie Möck -- Leonie Möck, University Assistant (Prae Doc) Philosophy of Media and Technology University of Vienna Universitätsstraße 7 (NIG), 1010 Vienna leonie.moeck(a)univie.ac.at

4 months, 1 week

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Lydia Patton, "Beyond the Background: Gravitational Waves and the Field Equations" - Physics meets Philosophy

by Sebastian Horvat

Dear all, Besides the 33rd Vienna Circle Lecture, Prof Lydia Patton (Virginia Tech) will also give the next "Physics meets Philosophy" talk, to which you are hereby cordially invited. Title: Beyond the Background: Gravitational Waves and the Field Equations (see abstract below) Date: December 9th (Tuesday) Time: 14:00-15:30 Location: IQOQI Seminar room (Boltzmanngasse 3, 2nd floor) Zoom link (for those that cannot join in person): https://univienna.zoom.us/j/67236864236?pwd=R6vIJ3Mquf5YTtsxtnlOnI5sJrMVDh.1 Abstract: The field equations of general relativity may be characterized as 'background' equations. That conceptualization implies that the equations are held constant in the background while independent empirical research tests the implications that are drawn from them. In my view, this is an inaccurate picture of how the field equations function in gravitational wave astronomy. The equations were made empirical in a process that involved formal, structural, and empirical reasoning. The paper will lay out an approach that moves beyond the 'background' conception to show how the equations developed with methods of data and waveform analysis in gravitational wave astronomy. For more information on "Physics meets Philosophy", see https://sites.google.com/view/physphilvienna Best wishes Sebastian

4 months, 1 week

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