Final conference: Evolution and Moral Epistemology

April 18-20th, 2018, Utrecht University
This is the final conference of the research program Evolutionary Ethics (2014-2019). The aim is to present new research on evolution and moral epistemology.

Insights from evolutionary theory, as well as recent empirical findings in fields such as moral psychology and anthropology, have raised several questions of interest to moral philosophers. Does evolutionary theory affect the plausibility of different metaethical doctrines, such as robust realism, Humean constructivism, or skepticism? Do so-called Evolutionary Debunking Arguments (EDAs) provide a genuine and original challenge for moral and metaethical theories? How should moral truth and justification be understood in the first place?

Speakers

​Keynote speakers
Carla Bagnoli (University of Modena & University of Oslo)
David Copp (University of California, Davis)​
Owen Flanagan (Duke University)
Michael Huemer (University of Colorado, Boulder)
Jonas Olson (Stockholm University)

Further speakers
Paul Sheldon Davies (College of William and Mary)
​Edward Elliott (University of Leeds)
​Julia Hermann (Utrecht University)
Jeroen Hopster (Utrecht University)
Jessica Isserow (Australian National University)
Wouter Kalf (Utrecht University)
Michael Klenk (Utrecht University)
Matt Lutz (Wuhan University)
Herman Philipse (Utrecht University)
Hanno Sauer (Utrecht University)
Eleonora Severini (Sapienza University of Rome)​ ​

Organisers

The conference is part of the NWO-funded research project Evolutionary Ethics: The (Meta-)Ethical Implications of Evolutionary Theory. Previous conferences organized by the research group include ‘Debunking and Disagreement (2017); ‘The Descent of Moral Sentiment’ (2017); ‘Objectivity in Ethics’ (2016); ‘Morality and Multilevel Selection’ (2015); ‘Moral Universalism’ (2015); and ‘Evolutionary Debunking Arguments’ (2014).
​
Organising committee:
Prof. Dr. Herman Philipse (Programme Leader)
​Dr. Julia Hermann (Post-Doctoral Researcher)
Dr. Wouter Kalf (Post-Doctoral Researcher)
Jeroen Hopster (PhD Candidate)
​​​Michael Klenk (PhD Candidate)  ​ 

Sub-sessions

The conference is divided into five sub-sessions according to the expertise of the five key-note speakers and the members of the research program:
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  • The Epistemology of Evolutionary Debunking Arguments
  • The Empirical Presuppositions of Evolutionary Debunking Arguments
  • Moral Error Theory and the ‘Now What Question’
  • Evolution and Moral Progress
  • Moral Objectivity, Truth and Justification
​ 

Date & Location

The conference will take place from the 18th until the 20th of April, 2018, at Utrecht University. More specific information about the programme will be announced soon. 

Conference venue: 'Zaalverhuur7'
Boothstraat 7
3512 BT, Utrecht
The Netherlands
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Contact Us

For enquiries, please contact the organising committee by filling in the contact form below.