- News - Philosophy bulletin board

Symposium "Wisdom and Contemplation", Kyoto University, 2-3 September 2025.

by Solmeng Hirschi

*** Apologies for cross-posting*** ***German below*** Dear all, Please find below and attached the programme for the upcoming symposium we are organising, which is taking place next week on the 2nd and 3rd of September 2025 at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters, Basement Conference Room (Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8317, Japan). Do join if you can! To register, please send an email to smart-we.office(a)bun.kyoto-u.ac.jp. Please note that this is an in-person only event. Wisdom and Contemplation: A Comparative Approach to Perception and Knowledge-Production in Ancient Conceptions of Sagehood _Across ancient traditions, "contemplation" and "wisdom" emerge as central and somehow connected ideals. In Greek philosophy, the contemplative life was often presented as the highest form of existence, though the exact meaning of contemplation (theōria) remained ambiguous-- ranging from active observation to passive understanding, from the pursuit of knowledge to the assimilation of self with the cosmos. Similar debates surface in Mediterranean wisdom as well as Buddhist and Confucian sources and indeed whenever 'philosophy' is understood to have practical consequences for its practitioners. _ _The symposium sets out to investigate several traditions comparatively, focusing on three dimensions: the semantics of terms used to describe the philosopher-sage, the epistemological role of contemplation as a bridge between perception and inference, and the ethical and social implications of wisdom as a guide for life. By bringing together scholars of diverse fields, we aim to illuminate how ancient cultures conceived of contemplation as a way of coping with uncertainty, fostering virtue, and cultivating flourishing._ Programme (all time are JST) 02.09.2025 09:30 Opening Remarks || Yasuo Deguchi 09:35 _Epicurus on Theôria_ || Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi 10:40 _How Wisdom Makes Us Free: Stoic and Platonic Perspectives_ || Tomohiko Kondo _Lunch Break_ 13:00 _Eyes that See, Eyes that Make Visible: Sages, Pseudo-sages and Human Agency in the Xici 繫辭 and the Zhuangzi 莊子_ || Flaminia Pischedda 14:10 _The Three Kinds of Wisdom Inherited in the Vedas, the Ancient Religious Texts of India_ || Kyoko Amano 15:30 _Aristotle on Why a Life of Contemplation is a Happy Life_ || George Karamanolis 16:40 _We-turn and Aristotle_ || Yasuo Deguchi _Symposium Dinner_ 03.09.2025 09:30 _How Easily Can One Attain Ultimate Happiness? Monk Scholars of Pure Land Buddhism, Who Sought to Break Away from the Orthodox Framework of Wisdom and Contemplation_ || Seiji Kumagai 10:40 _Wisdom and Mystical Knowledge in Iamblichus_ || Andreea-Maria Lemnaru Espuna 13:00 _Plato on Definition and Systematisation of Technē_ || Atsushi Hayase 14:00 Closing Remarks || George Karamanolis This conference is made possible and co-hosted by the University of Vienna (Prof. Karamanolis) and Kyoto University (Prof. Yasuo Deguchi) thanks to a Strategic Partnership Grant between the two universities. Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi & George Karamanolis *** Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, anbei sowie untenstehend finden Sie das Programm für das kommende Symposium, das nächste Woche am 2. und 3. September 2025 an der Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters, Basement Conference Room (Yoshidahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8317, Japan) stattfinden wird. Wir freuen uns über Ihre Teilnahme! Zur Anmeldung senden Sie bitte eine E-Mail an smart-we.office(a)bun.kyoto-u.ac.jp. Bitte beachten Sie, dass es sich ausschließlich um eine Präsenzveranstaltung handelt. Wisdom and Contemplation: A Comparative Approach to Perception and Knowledge-Production in Ancient Conceptions of Sagehood _In den antiken Traditionen treten „Kontemplation/Anschauung" und „Weisheit" als zentrale und in gewisser Weise verbundene Ideale hervor. In der griechischen Philosophie wurde das kontemplative Leben oft als die höchste Daseinsform dargestellt, wenngleich die genaue Bedeutung von theōria mehrdeutig blieb - sie reicht von aktiver Beobachtung bis zu passivem Verstehen, von der Wissenssuche bis zur Assimilation des Selbst an den Kosmos. Ähnliche Debatten finden sich in der mediterranen Weisheitstradition ebenso wie in buddhistischen und konfuzianischen Quellen - und überhaupt anscheinend häufig dann, wenn „Philosophie" als eine Praxis verstanden wird, die konkrete Konsequenzen für ihre Ausübenden hat._ _Das Symposium widmet sich einem vergleichenden Zugang zu mehreren Traditionen mit Schwerpunkt auf drei Dimensionen: den Semantiken der Begriffe, mit denen der Philosophen-Weise beschrieben wird; der epistemologischen Rolle der Kontemplation als Brücke zwischen Wahrnehmung und Schlussfolgerung; sowie den ethischen und sozialen Implikationen der Weisheit als Lebensführung. Durch den Austausch zwischen Fachleuten aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen wollen wir erhellen, wie antike Kulturen Kontemplation als Mittel zum Umgang mit Unsicherheit, zur Förderung der Tugend und zur Entfaltung von Lebensglück verstanden haben._ PROGRAMM (ALLE ZEITEN JST) 02.09.2025 09:30 Opening Remarks || Yasuo Deguchi 09:35 _Epicurus on Theôria_ || Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi 10:40 _How Wisdom Makes Us Free: Stoic and Platonic Perspectives_ || Tomohiko Kondo _Mittagessen_ 13:00 _Eyes that See, Eyes that Make Visible: Sages, Pseudo-sages and Human Agency in the Xici 繫辭 and the Zhuangzi 莊子_ || Flaminia Pischedda 14:10 _The Three Kinds of Wisdom Inherited in the Vedas, the Ancient Religious Texts of India_ || Kyoko Amano 15:30 _Aristotle on Why a Life of Contemplation is a Happy Life_ || George Karamanolis 16:40 _We-turn and Aristotle_ || Yasuo Deguchi _Abendessen_ 03.09.2025 09:30 _How Easily Can One Attain Ultimate Happiness? Monk Scholars of Pure Land Buddhism, Who Sought to Break Away from the Orthodox Framework of Wisdom and Contemplation_ || Seiji Kumagai 10:40 _Wisdom and Mystical Knowledge in Iamblichus_ || Andreea-Maria Lemnaru Espuna 13:00 _Plato on Definition and Systematisation of Technê_ || Atsushi Hayase 14:00 Closing Remarks || George Karamanolis Diese Tagung wird durch die Universität Wien (Prof. Karamanolis) und die Kyoto University (Prof. Yasuo Deguchi) im Rahmen eines Strategic Partnership Grant zwischen den beiden Universitäten ermöglicht und gemeinsam ausgerichtet. Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi & George Karamanolis -- Solmeng-Jonas Hirschi, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher in Ancient Philosophy and Classics FWF-Projekt: "_Magna Moralia: Critical Edition, Translation and Commentary_" Department of Philosophy, Universitätsstraße 7 (NIG), 1010 Wien solmeng.hirschi(a)univie.ac.at https://antikephilosophie.univie.ac.at/forschungsprojekte/

1 year, 1 month

1
0
0 0

Ausschreibung: Universitätsassistent*in Postdoc, im Forschungsbereich Antike Philosophie (4367) -I- Job advertisement: University Assistant postdoctoral, in the research area of Ancient Philosophy (4367)

by Philosophie

Guten Tag! wir möchten Sie über folgende aktuelle Jobausschreibung am Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien informieren: Universitätsassistent*in Postdoc, im Forschungsbereich Antike Philosophie (4367) Link zur Ausschreibung: https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/4367/ 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 -- 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 Ancient Philosophy (4367) Link to the job posting: <https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/4367/> https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/4367/ 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/> https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

1 year, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Invitation: Workshop “From Disappointment to Bitterness and Back” (27–29 August 2025, University of Vienna)

by Leah Ritterfeld

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce our upcoming workshop “From Disappointment to Bitterness and Back”, which will take place from 27–29 August 2025 at the University of Vienna. The workshop will bring together scholars exploring disappointment and bitterness in moral and social philosophy. We are delighted to welcome the following keynote speakers: Prof. Michael Brady (University of Glasgow) Prof. Íngrid Vendrell-Ferran (Philipps Universität Marburg) Assoc. Prof. Thomas Brudholm (University of Copenhagen) More information can be found at: https://philevents.org/event/show/130614 https://philevents.org/event/show/130618 For the full schedule, please see attached document. If you would like to join, please register as soon as possible by sending an email to leah.ritterfeld(a)univie.ac.at <mailto:leah.ritterfeld@univie.ac.at>. We warmly invite you to participate and look forward to engaging discussions. Kind regards, Prof. Hans Bernhard Schmid, Dr. Niels de Haan, and Leah Ritterfeld

1 year, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Ausschreibung: Universitätsassistent*in Praedoc, im Forschungsbereich Wissenschaftsphilosophie (4375) -I- Job advertisement: University assistant predoctoral, in the research area of Philosophy of Science (4375)

by Philosophie

Guten Tag! wir möchten Sie über folgende aktuelle Jobausschreibung am Institut für Philosophie der Universität Wien informieren: Universitätsassistent*in Praedoc, im Forschungsbereich Wissenschaftsphilosophie (4375) Link zur Ausschreibung: https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/4375/ 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 -- 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, University assistant predoctoral, in the research area of Philosophy of Science (4375) Link to the job posting: https://jobs.univie.ac.at/job-invite/4375/ 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/> https://philosophie.univie.ac.at/

1 year, 2 months

1
0
0 0

Invitation - Talk by Kelli Barr on August 19th - "The Material Theory of Values in Science"

by Veronika Lassl

Dear all, the WFAP warmly invites you to join a talk to be held by Kelli R. Barr (PhD) from the University of California, Davis, in two weeks. The title of the talk is "The Material Theory of Values in Science". When? Tuesday, 19.08.2025, 4:45pm - 6:15pm Where? Room 3C, NIG Universitätsstaße 7, 1010 Wien Please send an e-mail to veronika.lassl(a)univie.ac.at for the Zoom link, should you wish to listen in online. Abstract How are we to understand situations where science fails on its own terms? For example, Scientists have blamed perverse incentives for systematic epistemic failures like non-replicability and publication bias, but the exact relationship remains an open question. Let's assume they are right to blame the (social) system. This paper presents a novel framework for understanding how features of the social organization of science are implicated in collective epistemic failures: the material theory of values in science (MTV). This project is inspired by and follows in the tradition of feminist philosophers of science who have called attention to the need for explanations of systemic, specifically antifeminist, biases in science and for embodied models of scientists as epistemic agents. In the first part, I discuss the replication crisis as involving a particular type of collective action problem: a no-win standoff. The next part introduces the MTV and the explanation it supplies for this phenomenon. In the third section, the MTV is compared to several alternative explanatory strategies, including from the contemporary literature values in science and social epistemology, specifically agent-based computational models. I argue for why my approach is preferable and describe an important revision it entails for the general Mertonian sociological picture invoked in discussions of incentives in science. Kind regards, Veronika Lassl Chairperson - Vienna Forum for Analytic Philosophy wfap.philo.at

1 year, 2 months

1
0
0 0

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

1 year, 2 months

1
0
0 0

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

1 year, 3 months

1
0
0 0

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.

1 year, 3 months

1
0
0 0

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

1 year, 3 months

1
0
0 0

Invitation: book talk by Mark Coeckelbergh+David Gunkel July 4th at 4pm

by Leonie Bossert

Dear colleagues, We cordially invite you to join the book talk and discussion on Mark’s and David Gunkel’s new book “Communicative AI – A critical introduction to Large Language Models”. When: July 4th, 4:00 pm Where: University Main Building, Erika Weinzierl Saal (1st floor) With best wishes on behalf of the PhilTech Group, Leonie -- Dr. Leonie N. Bossert Post-Doctoral University Assistant Chair for Philosophy of Media and Technology University of Vienna Latest publications: "Why the carbon footprint of generative large language models alone will not help us assess their sustainability." Nature Machine Intelligence 2025 (7), 164-165, with Wulf Loh. "On the values of microbes: An ethical investigation of relational values associated with the microbial world." People and Nature 2025 (7/4), 804-814, with Davina Höll.

1 year, 3 months

1
0
0 0

2026

2025

News ----- 2026 ----- October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 ----- 2025 ----- December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025

News