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TEAP - Alice van’t Hoff “Against higher-order unrestrictedness”, 10 April 2026

by Ludovica Conti

Dear all, we are pleased to announce the fourth talk in our TEAP seminar series <https://sites.google.com/view/themeseap>. The talk is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 11:00-13:00 (CEST), at the following link: https://univienna.zoom.us/j/68312177521?pwd=fdYFFrcK1hg3Qw7GH2nCNVTIdV26rs.1 (ID riunione: 683 1217 7521 Codice d’accesso: 722203) Alice van’t Hoff (University of Vienna) – Against higher-order unrestrictedness Generality absolutists argue that it is possible to quantify absolutely unrestrictedly over everything that there is. A challenge to their view arises if we take seriously the possibility of genuinely higher-order quantification. An influential proposal, first put forward by Timothy Williamson, however, suggests that to conclude on this basis against generality absolutism would be premature. Williamson's claim is that higher-order quantification in our object language is only a threat to generality absolutism if we, misleadingly, adopt a first-order metalanguage. I argue, though, that this approach is subject to a counter-example: intuitively, quantification in many-sorted languages need not be absolutely general. Yet both higher-order and many-sorted systems may involve multiple distinct quantifiers and there are, I claim, no differences of the kind relevant to a quantifier's unrestrictedness that distinguish these two versions of quantifier pluralism. This suggests, contra Williamson and others, that higher-order quantification is a threat to generality absolutism, at least insofar as we take quantification of this kind ontologically seriously. Hope to see you online! Michele Contente, Ludovica Conti and Caterina Sisti

1 week, 6 days

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Workshop - Resisting Othering

by Elise Coquereau-Saouma

Dear colleagues, We cordially invite you all to the workshop *Resisting Othering. Reimagining the Self-Other Relationship Globally*, taking place on 9-10th April 2026. Address: Department of Philosophy, Room 3D, NIG, Universitätsstraße 7 You can find the description and program below, and the details here: https://phaenomenologie.univie.ac.at/forschung/othering/ Registration is not necessary. Best regards, Elise Coquereau-Saouma and Michael Staudigl (Organisation) _____ Description: Otherness is still most often conceived in distinction from the self, as in the figure of the foreigner or the barbarian—the other of my culture. The other thus serves, through a play of resemblance and difference, to delineate who I am and to which societies, communities, cultures, and groups I belong, notably by contrast and opposition. This space between self and other easily takes on an exclusionary value, sometimes with radical consequences: the pariah, the untouchable, or, likewise, the refugee camps behind barbed wire at the border. This binary between self and other can be politically exploited to set different societies, religions, or communal groups against each other. It can also serve as a justification for the exploitation of nature. It can manifest in less visible and less extreme, but no less problematic, examples of othering processes. In this workshop, we aim to question what makes the exclusion of others possible, starting from the very conception of alterity that underpins our models of exclusion. In other words, the goal is to develop conceptual alternatives to these processes of othering. While much of the philosophical literature addressing these issues has emerged from Western traditions, non-Western models of alterity can offer significant and as yet underexplored contributions to these questions. These approaches, rooted in diverse local contexts and practices, may often be more attuned to the specific forms of exclusion and othering encountered in those societies, and thus provide conceptual resources that cannot simply be replaced by universalizing Western frameworks. Accordingly, this workshop seeks not only critical analyses of exclusionary practices, but above all positive theories of relation to the other—approaches that move beyond the binary of self and other and ground new models for thinking alterity. We invite contributions that articulate such alternative frameworks, whether through concepts of nondualism, interdependence, relational ontology, or other traditions of thought that resist the reduction of alterity to opposition. Our aim is to foster a space for proposals that do not merely critique, but actively reimagine the self’s relation to the other, drawing on the richness of non-Western traditions to shape a genuinely global theory of alterity relevant for our time. _____ Program: 9 April 9:00–10:00 “I am Thou” and “I with Others = We”: Nondualism Debated in Ramchandra Gandhi and N. V. Banerjee’s Philosophies Elise Coquereau-Saouma, University of Vienna 10:00–11:00 The I, the Other and the Thou in Mutual Self-Negation: A Phenomenological Account of Intersubjectivity in Nishida Kitarō’s Philosophy of Basho Georg Harfensteller, University of Vienna 11:30–12:30 The Self–Other Relationship in African Philosophy: Ubuntu and Igwebuike in Comparison Emmanuel Ossai, Lancaster University 14:00–15:00 From Universal Compassion to Alienation: Contrasting Models of Self–Other Relations in Early and Later Jain Philosophy Dimitry Shevchenko, Hebrew University 15:00–16:00 Is India Civilized? Rethinking the Self–Other Relationship with William Archer (1856–1924), John Woodroffe (1865–1936), and Aurobindo Ghose (1872–1950) Pawel Odyniec, Karlstad University 16:30–17:30 Having the Savage: On Matters of Self, Other, and How to Humanise Our Monsters Manu Sharma, University of Vienna 10 April 9:00–10:00 “The Empire Strikes Back”: Notes on Barbarians, Cannibals, and Terrorists Michael Staudigl, University of Vienna 10:00–11:00 Othering as Experiential Maladaptation: A Phenomenological Account Sergio Pérez-Gatica, University of Tübingen 11:30–12:30 Relational Thinking? On the Challenges of Relational Epistemologies Anke Graness, Hildesheim University 14:00–15:00 Philosophy as Resistant Praxis: Buddhist Perspectives Fabien Muller, Tampere University 15:00–16:00 Agency as Relationally Emergent: Defending Confucian Role Ethics against Collectivist Misreadings Thomas Moore, Sheffield University 16:30–17:30 Imagining an-other: On the Figure of Otherness in Global Romanticism Michael Zangerl, University of Vienna

2 weeks

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Summer School on Trust & Cooperation (Vienna, 13-17 July, 2026): Call for Participation - Deadline April 14

by Eva Saskia Titia Erika Hijlkema

Trust & Cooperation - Vienna Summer School 2026 Accepting applications until April 14! Confirmed instructors: Leah Henderson [1] (University of Groningen), Benjamin McMyler [2] (University of Minnesota), Kieran Oberman [3] (The London School of Economics and Political Science), Guest speakers: Keith Harris [4] (University of Vienna) more to be confirmed! dates: July 13-July 17, 2026 deadline: April 14, 2026 (see below for further details) location: Neues Institutsgebäude (NIG), Universitätstrasse 7, 1010 Wien, Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna [5], Austria Call for Participation Over the course of five days participants will have the opportunity to engage with renowned experts in discussions on the topic of trust and cooperation on the interpersonal and institutional level, as well as within the contexts of climate change and immigration. Trust and cooperation have become front and center issues in today's world. The nature of global challenges - from refugees seeking asylum to the ecological crises of climate change and biodiversity loss - renders cooperation ever more crucial to overcoming them. Key questions revolve around the nature of trust and the nature of cooperation respectively, as well as around the relationship between trust and cooperation, intersecting the fields of social and political philosophy, as well as applied ethics and political epistemology. We welcome applications from PhD students (prioritized), advanced MA students and postdoctoral researchers in philosophy and related disciplines. Participants will explore current research in these fields, attend keynote lectures, thematic discussions and interactive workshops, as well as present their own work, and receive valuable feedback from invited scholars. The goal of this Summer School is to provide doctoral students with direct access to leading researchers whose work--whether directly or indirectly--relates to these themes. Application & Fees We welcome applications from PhD students (prioritized), advanced MA students and postdoctoral researchers in philosophy and related disciplines. Two modes of participation are possible: 1) attendance, 2) presentation - if they would also like to give a presentation. To apply for participation, please send the following documents to Joachim Raich (joachim.raich(a)univie.ac.at [6]): * Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages) * Statement of Purpose (no longer than 1 page), explaining the relevance of the summer school to your study, research, teaching and/or other professional work. * Statement of Financial Aid (optional). We can offer limited partial financial support (including the coverage of the school fees) to the participants whose home institutions cannot cover their expenses. We therefore ask the applicants who wish to be considered for funding to briefly describe their situation in the statement. * Abstract (optional; max. 250 words). If you would like to present your work at the summer school, please send us a short abstract of your presentation. The presentations should be related in a significant manner to the themes of trust and/or cooperation (from any philosophical perspective) and should be about 20 minutes long to leave enough time for discussions. Since the number of slots for student presentations is limited, this will help us decide on how to allocate them. The maximum number of participants at the summer school will be 25. Full attendance is worth 4 ECTS. The summer school fee is 75 Euros. The fee includes the student union fee of 25 Euros, which is required by Austrian law to register at the University of Vienna and to receive a certificate of completion of the summer school. Please, submit your application by April 14, 23.59 CET. Contact Email: joachim.raich(a)univie.ac.at [6] We will notify you of the decision by end of April. Diversity Statement We strongly encourage applications from members of disadvantaged and underrepresented groups. Organizing Committee Chiara Dankl Ali Emre Benli Eva Hijlkema Joachim Raich The VDP Summer School 2026 is funded by the Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy (University of Vienna). Visit the website for more information! [7] Links: ------ [1] https://lhenderson.org/ [2] https://philpeople.org/profiles/benjamin-mcmyler [3] https://www.lse.ac.uk/people/kieran-oberman [4] https://www.knowledgeincrisis.com/people/keith-harris [5] https://www.univie.ac.at/en [6] http://webmail2016.univie.ac.at/./#NOP [7] https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/news-events/nachrichten-news-events/detail…

2 weeks, 1 day

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Save the Date: Trans*Formations Talk Luana Pesarini, 30.4.2026

by Initiative to Support Women in Academic Philosophy

Dear All, please save the date for 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, 30.5.2026 - 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 Quill Kukla (Georgetown University) and 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]! We are looking forward to seeing you at the event, and happy if you forward this invitation and the attached poster to others who might be interested! With all the best, the Trans*Formations Team & UPSalon - A Salon for Underrepresented Philosophers 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…

2 weeks, 6 days

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Writing Evening Session on March 30

by Vienna Doctoral School of Philosophy

Dear all, The VDP is hosting an additional writing evening session on 30 March. Postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and late MA students are welcome to join. The evening will consist of four 50-minute writing sessions, with short breaks in between for socialising over snacks. Please bring your own laptops and/or other writing essentials. When: 14:00–18:00 Where: Room 3A, NiG, Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Vienna Information about other dates is at https://urise.univie.ac.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?optionid=2578&cmid=29… Best regards, Raphael Aybar

3 weeks, 1 day

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FW: Änderungsmeldung: KoPhil-Vortrag am DO. 26.03. u. Semesterprogramm 2026S

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag, Untenstehend möchten wir Sie über folgende Veranstaltungsänderung informieren: S.g. Damen und Herren, liebe Kollegen/innen, Wegen einer unvermeidlichen Terminkollision kann der Gastvortragsgeber, Prof. Dr. Schröder nicht nach Wen ausreisen. Der Vortrag wird jedoch ONLINE gehalten. Der HS mit der Uhrzeit bleibt: DO. 26.03.2026, 18:30 -20:15, HS 3D Anbei das korrigierte Programm einschließlich der Semestervorschau. MfG KoPhil-Präsidium www.kophil.at <http://www.kophil.at> From: philosophie(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:philosophie@univie.ac.at> <philosophie(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:philosophie@univie.ac.at> > Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2026 4:32 PM To: news(a)lists.philo.at <mailto:news@lists.philo.at> Cc: 'George Karamanolis' <george.karamanolis(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:george.karamanolis@univie.ac.at> >; 'hisaki hashi' <hisaki.hashi(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:hisaki.hashi@univie.ac.at> > Subject: [News] KoPhil-Vortrag am DO. 26.03. u. Semesterprogramm 2026S Guten Tag! Wir möchten Sie über die folgende Veranstaltung informieren: -- S.g. Damen und Herren. Liebe Kollegen/innen, Im Folgenden eine Ankündigung über den KoPhil-Vortragsabend in Zusammenarbeit mit Herrn Prof. Karamanolis. Datum u. Ort: DO. 26.03.2026, 18:30, HS 3D Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien 1010 Wien, Universitätsstr. 7 (NIG), 3. Stock Gastvortrag von: Lucian Hartmit Schröder (Prof. Dr., Europa-Universität) zum Thema Die Unverfügbarkeit von Gesundheit: Resonanz als Grundbegriff einer integralen Medizin Näheres unter <http://www.kophil-at> www.kophil-at “Aktuelle Termine” ANHANG: Programm des Vortragsabend am 26.03.2026 KoPhil Semesterprogramm 2026S Interessierte werden herzlich eingeladen. Mit freundlichen Grüßen KoPhil-Präsidium <http://www.kophil.at> www.kophil.at

3 weeks, 1 day

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Invitation: talk by Prof. Giuseppe Longo, Directeur de Recherches Emeritus, CNRS - Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris_March 26, 2026

by Florian Kolowrat

Dear colleagues, We cordially invite all of you to a talk by Prof. Giuseppe Longo, Directeur de Recherches Emeritus, CNRS - Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris. Former “Professore Ordinario di Informatica”, Università di Pisa, Italy. Date: March 26, 2026 at 17:30 Venue: Seminarraum 3a (D0312) Department of Philosophy, Universitätsstraße 7, A-1010 Vienna Title: Models of Emergence in Physics vs Theories of Novelty Production in Biology Abstract: Several notion of ‘‘emergence’’ have been proposed in physics. They mostly concern the emergence of new structures and forms (morphogenesis). From Turing and Thom’s analysis of morphogenesis to self-organization in far from equilibrium thermodynamics and Parisi’s networks, a few types of emerging phenomena in complex systems will be recalled. Then the difference will be stressed with “novelty production” in biology. In Darwinian evolution, in particular, the conceptual (and possibly mathematical) frames require the construction of new perspectives, due to the nature of the intended observables and their historical specificity. The issue of “unification” with the many theories of inert matter involved in the understanding of biology will be hinted, by setting bridges and proposing conceptual dualities. This talk is organized by Prof. Dr. Tarja Knuuttila. We look forward to your participation and to engaging discussions! With kind regards Florian Kolowrat -- *Florian Kolowrat *KgbU0UP0l8ByOdbG.png Universität Wien | University of Vienna Institut für Philosophie | Department of Philosophy Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien | Vienna Organisational Assistant to Univ.-Prof. Mag. Mag. Dr. Georg Schiemer Department of Philosophy – University of Vienna Organisational Assistant to Univ.-Prof. Tarja Knuuttila, MSc M.Soc.Sc PhD Department of Philosophy – University of Vienna Mail: Universitätsstraße 7, 1010 Wien E-Mail:florian.kolowrat@univie.ac.at Phone: +43-1-4277-46461 Web:https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/ person.html?id=53614 <https://ufind.univie.ac.at/en/person.html?id=53614>

3 weeks, 3 days

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Phänomenologische Forschungen - Vortrag und Workshop mit Narzissa Helfritzsch: "Grazie. Wenn sich das Leben als erwünscht erlebt"

by Georg Harfensteller

Liebe Kolleg:innen, wir möchten Sie herzlich zur nächsten Veranstaltung der Reihe „Phänomenologische Forschungen“ einladen: *Vortrag und Workshop mit Narzissa Helfritzsch (Wien)* *Mi., 25.3.2026, 18:30 Uhr, HS 3D, NIG* VORTRAG: Narzissa Helfritzsch - "Grazie. Wenn sich das Leben als erwünscht erlebt" *Do., 26.3.2026, 9:00-13:00 Uhr, Sitzungssaal Dekanat der Katholisch-Theologische Fakultät, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Wien, Stiege 8, 2. Stock* WORKSHOP zu den Texten von Sartre, Ahmed und Kopenawa 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/>. Mit besten Grüßen, Michael Staudigl, Gerhard Unterthurner, Georg Harfensteller [image: Narzissa Einzelplakat.png]

3 weeks, 3 days

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Wittgen=steine talk this Friday

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, 6 days

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KoPhil-Vortrag am DO. 26.03. u. Semesterprogramm 2026S

by philosophie＠univie.ac.at

Guten Tag! Wir möchten Sie über die folgende Veranstaltung informieren: -- S.g. Damen und Herren. Liebe Kollegen/innen, Im Folgenden eine Ankündigung über den KoPhil-Vortragsabend in Zusammenarbeit mit Herrn Prof. Karamanolis. Datum u. Ort: DO. 26.03.2026, 18:30, HS 3D Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien 1010 Wien, Universitätsstr. 7 (NIG), 3. Stock Gastvortrag von: Lucian Hartmit Schröder (Prof. Dr., Europa-Universität) zum Thema Die Unverfügbarkeit von Gesundheit: Resonanz als Grundbegriff einer integralen Medizin Näheres unter <http://www.kophil-at> www.kophil-at Aktuelle Termine ANHANG: Programm des Vortragsabend am 26.03.2026 KoPhil Semesterprogramm 2026S Interessierte werden herzlich eingeladen. Mit freundlichen Grüßen KoPhil-Präsidium <http://www.kophil.at> www.kophil.at

4 weeks

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