International Conference – Philosophy of Science and Ethics of Science in the Context of A. Schopenhauer
International Conference

Philosophy of Science and Ethics of Science
in the Context of A. Schopenhauer

November 30 – December 1, 2026 · Münster Palace · Papers in German and English

Münster Palace
Image credit: Dietmar Rabich

Conference Announcement

On November 30 and December 1, 2026, an international conference on the philosophy and ethics of science from systematic and historical perspectives will take place at Münster Palace. The conference focuses on the question of how central problems in the philosophical reflection on science can be reconsidered in connection with the philosophy of Arthur Schopenhauer.

In recent years, Schopenhauer has increasingly emerged as a relevant point of reference for questions in the philosophy and ethics of science. Alongside fundamental studies of his conception of science, a growing body of research has examined his relation to individual disciplines such as biology, physics, mathematics, and cognitive science.

The conference brings together international scholars to discuss these developments from both historical and systematic perspectives and to develop them further. Particular attention will be paid both to the general foundations of scientific knowledge and practice and to philosophical and ethical questions concerning individual scientific disciplines.

Main Topics

The conference will focus in particular on questions from the following areas:

I. General Philosophy of Science

  • Concepts of cognition, knowledge, and science
  • Forms of scientific explanation and causality
  • Conceptions of space and time
  • Order and systematic classification of scientific disciplines

II. General Ethics of Science

  • Responsibility and compassion in the sciences
  • Scientific optimism and pessimism
  • Limits, functions, and meaning of scientific practice

III. Philosophy of the Individual Sciences

  • Schopenhauer and evolutionary theory
  • Reception in the natural sciences, including physics
  • Philosophy of mathematics

IV. Ethics of the Individual Sciences

  • Animal ethics in the context of scientific research
  • Responsibility in scientific research
  • Environmental ethics and sustainability

Aims of the Conference

The conference aims to explore Schopenhauer's philosophy as a productive framework for debates in the philosophy and ethics of science. Particular emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary connections and on combining historical research with systematic analysis. Historical perspectives on Schopenhauer's relation to science and the history of science will also be included.

Speakers

The following speakers are currently scheduled to participate in the conference:

  • Abdullah Onur Aktaş / Murat Öner
  • Dieter Birnbacher
  • Claudia Bozzaro
  • Daniel Elon
  • Vinícius Fratta Fritz
  • Alain Kassogue
  • Christina Kittsteiner
  • Laura Langone
  • Javier Legris
  • Ingolf Max
  • Jacob Rosenthal
  • Marco Segala
  • Timothy Secret
  • Ana Carolina Soliva Soria
  • Thorsten Streubel
The detailed conference programme, including presentation titles and the conference schedule, will be published at a later date.

Conference Details

Venue Münster Palace, Germany
Date November 30 – December 1, 2026
Languages German and English
Format In-person conference
Programme The full conference programme will be announced in due course.
Publication An international publication of the contributions (e.g. an edited volume or special issue) is planned.

Contact

Center for Philosophy of Science (Managing Director)

Sponsors