July 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 weeks, 6 days

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History of Economic Thought and Methodology: A Joint Workshop at the University of Vienna (05.09.2025)

by Dahyun Lee

This pluralistic joint seminar is organized by the University of Vienna, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan). It aims to foster meaningful intellectual exchange among scholars, master's, and PhD students across national and disciplinary borders. By bringing together students and scholars from the Philosophy and Economics program in Vienna and the Faculty of Economics at Doshisha, the seminar provides a platform for critical engagement with a plurality of methodologies in the history of political economy. By exploring differences in economic and philosophical ideas, the seminar encourages dialogue that bridges different academic traditions and perspectives. This joint seminar particularly investigates pluralism in the history of economic thought, economic methodology, and philosophy of science. Guests are welcome. Date: Friday 05.09.2025 Time: 09:00 – 18:10 Place: University of Vienna, Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1, 2nd floor, Seminarraum 13 (in person) Organisers: Dahyun Lee, Alexander Linsbichler, Karl Milford Keynote Speakers: Takato Kasai (Doshisha University, Kyoto), Julian Reiss (Johannes Kepler University Linz) Further Speakers: Lara Brühl, Vinzenz Fischer, Jakob Gschwandtner, Dahyun Lee, Alexander Linsbichler, Taiki Nakao, Pauline Paulik, Shintaro Wada https://homepage.univie.ac.at/alexander.linsbichler/ Kind regards, Dahyun Lee MA Philosophy and Economics, University of Vienna

3 months

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Lektüre-Workshop - Frantz Fanon - Für eine Afrikanische Revolution - 21.7., 16:45

by Georg Harfensteller

Liebe Alle, Frantz Fanon wäre im Juli 100 Jahre alt geworden. Dies haben wir (der Forschungskreis Phänomenologie) zum Anlass für einen Lektüre-Workshop genommen, am *Montag, 21.07., 16:45 im HS 3D* des NIG. Wir besprechen zwei Aufsätze mit sprechenden Titeln aus der Textsammlung "Für eine afrikanische Revolution": nämlich "Rassimus und Kultur" (16 Seiten) und "Die Haltung der französischen Intellektuellen und Demokraten zur algerischen Revolution" (19 Seiten). HIER <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/lw-fanon/> geht es zu den Texten, oder gerne auch einfach eine kurze Mail an georg.harfensteller(a)univie.ac.at Wir freuen uns auf einen regen Austausch in der Sommerpause. Alles Liebe, Michael Zangerl und Georg Harfensteller

3 months, 2 weeks

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IVC Talk: Luana Poliseli (IVC Fellow) on "The Left Vienna Circle, Democratization of Knowledge and the Epistemic Functions of Aesthetics", July 3, 4.45 pm

by Zarah Weiss

Dear all, our next speaker in the Philosophy of Science Colloquium organized by the Institute Vienna Circle is Luana Poliseli (IVC Fellow), who will give a talk on July 3, 4.45-6.15 pm. All are welcome! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Philosophy of Science Colloquium TALK: Luana Poliseli (IVC Fellow) THE LEFT VIENNA CIRCLE, DEMOCRATIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND THE EPISTEMIC FUNCTIONS OF AESTHETICS Philosophy of Science Colloquium The Institute Vienna Circle holds a Philosophy of Science Colloquium with talks by our present fellows. Date: 03/07/2025 Time: 16h45 Venue: New Institute Building (NIG), Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, HS 3A Abstract: Aesthetics is traditionally associated with the appreciation of beauty. In science, beauty is traditionally and largely related to the success of a theory or an experiment (McAllister 1996). However, recent debates on the aesthetics of science have indicated that the scientists' aesthetics arsenal is far more diverse and epistemically advantageous than traditionally conceived (see Ivanova & French 2020; Ivanova & Murphy 2023). I undertake these debates to argue against the traditional oversimplification as it does not represent the complexity of aesthetic values and experiences used in contemporary science to explain and understand the world. By expanding the philosophical account of aesthetics in science, this project challenges reductive views of science as purely logical or objective. I second the Left Vienna Circle on the ambiguities and lack of homogeneity in knowledge, and the recognition of the limited resources of human cognitive capacities. Acknowledging the plurality and vagueness of our cognitive endeavours make us conscious of the limitations, gaps and ambiguities existent in scientific practices. As such, I will emphasize that scientific knowledge is not only shaped by empirical and theoretical considerations but also by the sensuous, affective, and interpretive dimensions of aesthetic experiences. Ultimately, by unboxing unorthodox methods underlying scientific decisions, I reposition aesthetics as central to reflections of scientific practice and knowledge production, enabling philosophers to reconceptualize the epistemic functions of aesthetics as a means of enriching scientific resources. If science, as a social and cultural phenomenon, seeks to make sense of a world that is chaotic, political, diffuse, emotional, ephemeral and transient, then it must begin to embrace and engage with non-traditional methods and values that reflect this diversity. By doing so, it can foster the creation of spaces for development and dissemination that are more democratic and inclusive.

3 months, 4 weeks

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Full Professor of Philosophy of Mind I Application deadline: 17 September 2025 I University of Vienna

by Dekanat der Fakultät für Philosophie und Bildungsw issenschaft

Philosophie des Geistes <https://berufungsservice.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/p_berufungsserv…> Philosophy of Mind <https://berufungsservice.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/p_berufungsserv…> The University of Vienna is internationally renowned for its excellence in teaching and research, and counts more than 7,500 academics from all disciplines. This breadth of expertise offers unique opportunities to address the complex challenges of modern society, to develop comprehensive new approaches, and educate the problem-solvers of tomorrow from a multidisciplinary perspective. At the Faculty of Philosophy and Education, the University of Vienna seeks to appoint a *Full Professor* *of* *Philosophy of Mind* *The position:* The successful candidate has a research focus in the philosophy of mind and can demonstrate outstanding research achievements in this area through internationally recognized publications. *Your academic profile:* ·Doctoral degree/PhD ·Outstanding research achievements, excellent publication and funding record, international reputation ·Proven leadership qualities ·Gender and diversity competence ·Experience in designing and managing large research projects ·Enthusiasm for excellent teaching and supervision at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level ·Willingness to take on organisational and administrative responsibilities within the Faculty and/or the University The University of Vienna expects the successful candidate to acquire, within three years, proficiency in German sufficient for teaching in bachelor’s programmes and for participation in university committees. *We offer:* ·a dynamic research environment ·a wide range of research and teaching support services ·attractive working conditions in a city with a high quality of life ·an attractive salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for University Staff <http://personalwesen.univie.ac.at/en/services-for-employees/legal-framework/>(§98 UG, level A1, to be negotiated individually) and an organisational retirement plan ·a “start-up package”, in particular for the initiation of research projects ·comprehensive relocation support *Application documents:* Please submit a *single PDF file* (LastName_FirstName.pdf) containing the following information in English via e-mail to the Dean of the Faculty, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Barbara Schulte, M.A. (dekanin.philbild(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:dekanin.philbild@univie.ac.at>): 1. *Letter of motivation* 2. *Academic curriculum vitae* oeducation and training opositions held to date ocareer breaks (e.g. parental, family or other care periods) oawards and honors ocommissions of trust oprevious and current cooperation partners olist of most important acquired third-party funding as principal investigator, and, if applicable, of inventions/patents olist of most important scientific talks (max. 10) oteaching and mentoring osupervision experience (Master and PhD) 3. *List of publications and a link to your **ORCID record * 4. *Research statement* omost important research achievements (max. 2 pages) and planned future research activities (max. 4 pages) osynopsis of five key publications with relevance to the position advertised 5. *Teaching and supervision statement* oteaching and supervision concept, including a description of the previous and planned priorities in academic teaching and supervision (max. 2 pages) *Appendices to application document*: a.*Five key publications as electronic full text version* b.*Teaching evaluations*(if available, compiled into a single PDF file) c.*Copies of certificates of academic degrees*(mandatory, compiled into a single PDF file) The University of Vienna has an anti-discriminatory employment policy and attaches great importance to equal opportunities, the advancement of women <https://gleichbehandlung.univie.ac.at/> and diversity <https://personalwesen.univie.ac.at/en/gender-equality-diversity/diversity/>. We lay special emphasis on increasing the number of women in senior and in academic positions among the academic and general university staff and therefore expressly encourage qualified women to apply. Given equal qualifications, preference will be given to female candidates. University of Vienna. Spaceforpersonalities.Since1365. _PrivacyPolicy <https://backend.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/d_personalwesen/Jobs_Rec…>_ *Referenceno.: *Mind2025 *Applicationdeadline:*17 September 2025

3 months, 4 weeks

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