April 2026 - 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, 2 days

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IVC Talk: Iulian Danut Toader (IVC) on "Conservatism as a Norm of Scientific Practice", March 19, 4.45 pm

by Zarah Weiss

Dear all, our next speaker in the Philosophy of Science Colloquium organized by the Institute Vienna Circle is Iulian Danut Toader (IVC), who will give a talk on March 19, 4.45-6.15 pm. All are welcome! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Philosophy of Science Colloquium TALK: Iulian Danut Toader (IVC)* Conservatism as a Norm of Scientific Practice Philosophy of Science Colloquium The Institute Vienna Circle holds a Philosophy of Science Colloquium with talks by our present fellows. * Date:* 19/03/2026 * Time:* 16h45 * Venue:* New Institute Building (NIG), Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien, HS 3C * Abstract:* Contemporary scientists extol the virtues of conservatism, the view that advocates the preservation of the theoretical status quo and castigates everything beyond this as unfounded speculation. More generally, conservatives emphasize that science has been almost always cumulative, and scientific progress has been almost always made through evolution, rather than revolution. They further suggest that contemporary science should be cumulative, and that it should make progress through evolution, rather than revolution. In this talk, I provide a brief historical-conceptual analysis of conservatism as a norm that urges us to preserve the theoretical status quo, extend its intended domain of resiliency to the furthest extent possible, and only allow changes if we have stronger reasons to accept some theoretical alternative. I then focus on a specific expression of conservatism - the so-called principle of permanence - which has been extremely influential since mid-19th century in both mathematics and physics, in an attempt to determine, more precisely, the kinds of normativity that conservatism is thought to have.

1 month, 2 weeks

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[REMINDER] Workshop - Philosophy: What and How? - University of Vienna, May 7-8

by Mani Rashtipour

This is a kind reminder of the upcoming workshop: Philosophy: What and How? A workshop on the nature, aims, and methods of philosophy. Views on what philosophy is and how it should be done vary widely. Is philosophy concerned with reality or with our concepts used for grasping aspects of reality? Does philosophy use a priori or empirical methods? What is the role of intuitions? And of the method of cases? What are philosophers trying to find out? Is Philosophy a descriptive or a normative discipline, or both? Key information: Dates: May 7–8, 2026, 09:00–18:00. Venue: Sky Lounge (DG), Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1, 1090 Wien, Austria Here is a list of speakers and titles: Max Kölbel Philosophy as Conceptual Engagement Yaokun Fu The Arrovian Impossibility Theorem in Metaphysical Theory Choice Sophie Veigl Beyond Method? Philosophy of Science Between Analysis and Activities Elijah Chudnoff Intuition and Philosophical Progress Matti Eklund The Parochial, the Universal and the Alien Asya Passinsky Ameliorative Metaphysics Eric Wallace Idealisation and Overfitting Alice van't Hoff Choosing Metalanguages Edouard Machery Arguments won't help Registration and more details: https://philosophywhatandhow.phl.univie.ac.at/ Registration is required but free of charge, and all are welcome. (registration form on the bottom of the page). This workshop is supported by the PACE (pace.phl.univie.ac.at/) and KiC (www.knowledgeincrisis.com/) projects.

2 months, 1 week

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Trans*Formations: 15.5. with Jane Russell KC

by Initiative to Support Women in Academic Philosophy

Dear All, we want to cordially invite you to the May Trans*Formations Event at the Philosophy Institute. For those who do not know the series: This talk and workshop series organized by a bunch of people from the Philosophy Department (BA, MA and PhD) provides insights into recent developments in trans* philosophizing. Thanks to the Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy (VDP) [1] and queer@hochschulen [2] for their financial support! In the next talk, Jane Russell KC (Lawyer from London) will discuss her experiences with contemporary cases in UK law that deal with rights of trans* people. She will give insight into her practice, and reflect on anti-trans* presuppositions and British terfism that become evident in these court cases. The event will be in English! When: 15.5.2026, 16:00-17:30 Where: HS 3A, NIG (Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien) Trans* Exclusion in UK Courts A Talk by Jane Russell KC As a lawyer, Jane Russell KC has represented the interests of the British trans* community in some of the most high profile cases of the past decade: Bailey v Stonewall and Garden Court (2022), involving the co-founder of the prominent anti-trans lobbying group LGB Alliance; Forstater v CGD (2019), involving the founder of Sex Matters, and which established that "gender critical views" are protected as a 'philosophical belief' under the Equality Act 2010; recently, Peggie vs Fife Health Board and Dr. B Upton (2025), which considered whether a nurse had been subject to discrimination by virtue of being expected to share a changing room with a trans* colleague. With her legal expertise and personal insights into the fight for trans* rights inside the courtroom, Jane Russell is ideally placed to shed light on how powerful groups use the law to target trans* people, and how trans* rights can be protected by the court. There will be drinks & snacks and a Q&A after the talk! We are especially happy if those join the talk who are versed in the legal situation of trans* people in Austria, so we can have a fruitful discussion on similarities, differences, and possible strategies for action. But: no prior legal knowledge required!!! Please register here [3] and forward to everyone who could be interested! Looking forward to seeing you at the talk! The Trans*Formations Team and UPSalon - A Salon for Underrepresented Philosophers P.S.: Attached, you find a poster - you can also print it and hang at your own department! Links: ------ [1] https://vd-philosophy.univie.ac.at/ [2] https://queer-at-hochschulen.org/ [3] https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?optionid=2719&cmi…

2 months, 1 week

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UpSalon Stammtisch: TODAY

by Initiative to Support Women in Academic Philosophy

Dear all, this is a reminder for the next UPSalon Stammtisch, which will take place today, Tuesday, 28.4.2026, 19:00 at Café Weingartner (Goldschlagstraße 6). 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 at events and informal gatherings. We are looking forward to resuming the conversations we had at our last meeting in March, and are happy about new people who want to join. We also want to remind you that our second event of next semester, the Trans*Formations talk by Luana Pesarini, will take place on Thursday, 30.4., 18:00-19:30 at HS 3A, NIG. Please find the event description below and the poster attached. Due to the high demand of seats for Luana's talk, there is also the possibility to attend online! Please find all details below :) Looking forward to seeing you later or at the talk! With all the best, UPSalon ------- Dear All, we want to cordially invite you to the next Trans*Formations Event at the Philosophy Institute. For those who do not know the series: This talk and workshop series organized by a bunch of people from the Philosophy Department (BA, MA and PhD) provides insights into recent developments in trans* philosophizing. Thanks to the Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy (VDP) [1] and queer@hochschulen [2] for their financial support! In the next talk, Luana Pesarini (Goethe Universität Frankfurt) will discuss historical and contemporary theories of the neural basis of transness, and the presuppositions these studies rely on, from a trans/feminist science studies perspective. The next Event will be in English! When & Where: Thursday, 30.4.2026 - 18:00-19:30 at HS 3A, NIG (Universitätsstraße 7) The Trans Brain? History and Current Hypotheses on the Neural Basis of Transness Abstract: Against the background of contemporary debates about the supposed natural basis of sex/gender and the intersection of neurodivergence and transness, the lecture will turn to the history and contemporary theories of the neural basis of transness. Contemporary trans brain hypotheses rest on a whole array of presuppositions: The assumption that brains have a sex/gender; that this brain sex/gender can stand in opposition to the sex assigned at birth; that brain sex/gender develops in response to hormonal changes; that this development has a temporal threshold; and that one can discern transness from a trans-sexed/gendered brain - all of these conveyed through imaging technologies. To fan out the presuppositions that fuel contemporary theories of the neural basis of transness, the lecture will trace its history through the lens of trans/feminist science studies. Starting from theories about the natural bisexuality and plasticity of mammals and their eugenic interpretations at the beginning of the 20th century (Eugen Steinach, Paul Kammerer), the lecture will move through the early hypotheses about the neural basis of transness in the post-Second World War inception of trans medicine in the US (John Money, Robert Stoller, Harry Benjamin), to the first neuroimaging studies on transness in the 1990s and early 2000s, to finish with the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of transness in contemporary neuroscience and a discussion of its impacts on the lives of trans people. Neuronal explanations of transness certainly do not carry the same weight in the debates about the natural basis of sex/gender and transness as chromosomal explanations. Incidents such as the International Chess Federation's ban of trans women from the women's category, the European Society of Endocrinology's considerations about brain scans as "a useful tool for earlier identification of transgenderism in young people," and calls from neuroscientists to intervene in and prevent the development of transness in the brain nevertheless illustrate the current and potentially future power of such explanations over the lives of trans people. Bio: Luana Pesarini is a philosophy-trained sociologist specializing in feminist science and technology studies, theories of materiality, and trans feminism. She is currently working as a doctoral researcher in the German Research Foundation-funded RTG "Fixing Futures. Technologies of Anticipation in Contemporary Societies" at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. There will be a Q&A after the talk, as well as snacks and drinks! Please also save the date for the next Trans*Formations Events: A talk on Law and Gender by UK barrister Jane Russell on 15.5., and a full-day event with a focus on Gender Euphoria on 7.6. with, among others, talks by Prof. Quill Kukla (Georgetown University) and Prof. Eric A. Stanley (University of California, Berkeley). We are thankful to our previous Trans*Formations speakers: Luce deLire [3], Alyosxa Tudor [4], Eric Llaveria Caselles [5], Emelia Stanley, [6] Emma Heaney [7], Juliana Gleeson, [8] Gen Eickers & Sigmond Richli [9], Jonah I. Garde [10] and Anna Klieber [11]! Registration is Closed, but there is now a possibility to participate online! [12] Details: An Zoom-Meeting teilnehmen https://uni-frankfurt.zoom-x.de/j/65405421347?pwd=mVSyD4mDM77eOYaiYJNXRNXPn… Meeting-ID: 654 0542 1347 Kenncode: 711888 https://uni-frankfurt.zoom-x.de/meetings/65405421347/invitations?signature=… We are looking forward to seeing you at the event, and happy if you forward this invitation to others who might be interested! With all the best, the Trans*Formations Team & UPSalon - A Salon for Underrepresented Philosophers Thema: Trans*Formations - The Trans Brain? Zeit: 30. Apr. 2026 06:00 PM Wien An Zoom-Meeting teilnehmen https://uni-frankfurt.zoom-x.de/j/65405421347?pwd=mVSyD4mDM77eOYaiYJNXRNXPn… Meeting-ID: 654 0542 1347 Kenncode: 711888 Beitreten - So geht's https://uni-frankfurt.zoom-x.de/meetings/65405421347/invitations?signature=… Links: ------ [1] https://vd-philosophy.univie.ac.at/ [2] https://queer-at-hochschulen.org/ [3] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/en/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/det… [4] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [5] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [6] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [7] https://lists.philo.at/hyperkitty/list/news@lists.philo.at/thread/GIUSVC6TO… [8] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [9] https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?cmid=293&optionid… [10] https://lists.philo.at/hyperkitty/list/news@lists.philo.at/thread/ZUJBVRNM7… [11] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail… [12] https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?optionid=2617&cmi…

2 months, 1 week

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Phänomenologische Forschungen - Vortrag und Workshop mit Hilge Landweer (Berlin): "Kritische Phänomenologie des Mutes - Feministische und migrantische Perspektiven"

by Georg Harfensteller

Liebe Kolleg:innen, wir möchten Sie herzlich zur nächsten Veranstaltung der Reihe „Phänomenologische Forschungen“ einladen: *Vortrag und Workshop mit Hilge Landweer (Berlin):* * Mi. 29.4.2026, 18:00, 3D, NIG* VORTRAG - "Kritische Phänomenologie des Mutes - Feministische und migrantische Perspektiven" *Do. 30.4.2026, 9:00–13:00, 3A, NIG * WORKSHOP zu Texten von Gail Weiss, Ann V. Murphy, Gayle Salamon, Sara Ahmed, Lisa Guenther und Alia Al Saji Texte zum Workshop finden Sie auf Moodle, schreiben Sie sich dafür gerne hier <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/newslettermoodle/> ein. Weitere Informationen zu Veranstaltungen des *Forschungskreises Phänomenologie* finden Sie auf unserer Website <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/> sowie auf Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/forschungskreisphaenomenologie/>. *Diese Veranstaltungen sind eine Kooperation mit der Fachsektion für Integrative Gestalttherapie des ÖAGG. Ergänzend dazu findet eine psychotherapeutische Selbsterfahrungsgruppe der Fachsektion statt. Nähere Informationen im beiliegenden Dokument!* Mit besten Grüßen, Michael Staudigl, Gerhard Unterthurner, Georg Harfensteller [image: csm_PhaeForsch_SS_26_1.1_41d218b106.png]

2 months, 1 week

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Ausschreibung: Senior Lecturer für Ethik mit Schwerpunkt angewandter Ethik

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag! wir möchten Sie über folgende aktuelle Jobausschreibung am Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien informieren: Senior Lecturer für Ethik mit Schwerpunkt angewandter Ethik (5439) Link zur Ausschreibung: <https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5439/> https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5439/ NEUE Bewerbungsfrist: 04.05.2026 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 <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/> https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

2 months, 2 weeks

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27.4 - Gastvortrag + Workshop by Maria Robaszkiewicz

by Georg Harfensteller

<<english below>> Liebe Kolleg:innen, Wir möchten Sie herzlich zu dem ersten Gastvortrag + anschließendem Workshop der Reihe „Werkstatt Phänomenologie“ einladen. Montag, *27.4.2026*, um *16:45*, Hörsaal 3B im NIG:Maria Robaszkiewicz - On Men* and Birds: Anthropogenic Wasteful Noise in Times of Rapid Species Extinction Der anschließende Workshop widmet sich dem Thema Migration. Texte dafür finden Sie auf unserem Moodle, für den Sie sich hier <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/newslettermoodle/> einschreiben können. Weitere Informationen zu Veranstaltungen der Werkstatt Phänomenologie finden Sie auf unserer Website <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/werkstatt-phaenomenologie/> sowie auf Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/forschungskreisphaenomenologie/>. Mit besten Grüßen, Team Werkstatt Phänomenologie <<english>> Dear colleagues, We would like to warmly invite you to the first guest lecture followed by a workshop in the “Werkstatt Phänomenologie” series. *Monday, 27 April 2026, at 16:45, Lecture Hall 3B at the NIG:* Maria Robaszkiewicz – On Men* and Birds: Anthropogenic Wasteful Noise in Times of Rapid Species Extinction The subsequent workshop will focus on the topic of migration. You can find the relevant texts on our Moodle, where you can also enroll here <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/newslettermoodle/>. Further information about events in the Werkstatt Phänomenologie series can be found on our website <https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/werkstatt-phaenomenologie/> as well as on Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/forschungskreisphaenomenologie/>. With best regards, The Werkstatt Phänomenologie team [image: MARIA ROBASZKIEWICZ_27.4.36.png] Abstract: There is always a certain purposefulness of natural sounds: the sound of breaking waves manifest the conditions on the sea, the sound of striking thunder marks the dangers of a storm, birds’ singing is their way of communication. These sounds make worldly sense as they inform all perceptible beings about their surroundings, about the momentary conditions of the world. Accordingly, sounds of nature are limited in scope (an assertion that may be challenged by environments such as native jungle, though a different register of perception could be expected there), to the extent that when we happen to be in spaces empty of anthropogenic sounds, our experience might be very close to an experience of silence. Humans, on the contrary, produce a lot of noise polluting our earthly surroundings. This noise is often wasteful; it doesn’t communicate anything specific that we need for a better orientation in the world. Continuous passing of cars in front of my window, the monotonous noise of a machine, the drilling and hammering of endless construction sites consume time repeating the same futile message over and over again. In Anthropocene, it is not only noise that is wasteful this way: it’s also light, energy water or oxygen. Through the continuous decrease of, especially animal, diversity, human noise becomes hegemonial. In urban spaces, the declining presence of singing, cawing and quacking birds constitutes perhaps the most noticeable change in this respect, one of the reasons for which is anthropogenic harm to birds’ migratory routes. I argue that phenomenology as an attentive style of thinking helps us to notice the scale of the problem, which is the condition of possibility for action and change. In doing this, I reach to different ecophenomenological readings of Merleau-Ponty, ecophenomenologies of sound, and descriptive studies of birds’ migration.

2 months, 2 weeks

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Talk on "being" in Plato and Aristotle

by Max Kölbel

From: Ricardo Alcocer Urueta <ricardo.alcocer.urueta(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:ricardo.alcocer.urueta@univie.ac.at>> Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 8:13 PM To: Subject: A morphosyntactic construal of "being" as understood by Plato and Aristotle Dear Colleagues, On May 26, I will be presenting at the Wiener Sprachgesellschaft. The title of my presentation is “A morphosyntactic construal of ‘being’ as understood by Plato and Aristotle”. The abstract of the presentation, along with the date and location details, can be found here: https://wsg.univie.ac.at/veranstaltungen/ricardo-alcocer-urueta-a-morphosyn… <https://wsg.univie.ac.at/veranstaltungen/ricardo-alcocer-urueta-a-morphosyn…>. Muchos saludos, Ricardo -- Dr. Ricardo Alcocer Urueta, Lic. Lic. M.Phil. ––––––––––––––––––––– Max Kölbel Institutsvorstand Head of Department Professur für analytische Philosophie und Sprachphilosophie Chair of Analytic Philosophy and Philosophy of Language Philosophy as Conceptual Engagement (PACE), FWF doc.funds project https://pace.phl.univie.ac.at/ "Knowledge in Crisis”, FWF Cluster of Excellence project https://www.knowledgeincrisis.com/ Institut für Philosophie Universität Wien Universitätsstraße 7 (NIG) 1010 Wien Austria Tel: +43 1 4277 46470 max.koelbel(a)univie.ac.at

2 months, 2 weeks

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Ausschreibung: Senior Lecturer für Ethik mit Schwerpunkt angewandter Ethik

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag! wir möchten Sie über folgende aktuelle Jobausschreibung am Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien informieren: Senior Lecturer für Ethik mit Schwerpunkt angewandter Ethik (5439) Link zur Ausschreibung: <https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5439/> https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/5439/ Bewerbungsfrist: 30.04.2026 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 <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/> https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

2 months, 2 weeks

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