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

​Five experts in the field deliver keynote lectures: ​
Additionally, each of the members of the research program will give a presentation related to their research project.
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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:
  • 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
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Call for Abstracts

We invite abstracts by researchers working on topics that relate to evolution and moral epistemology. Five slots have been reserved for selected presentations. Submitted abstracts should be related to one of the sub-sessions.

High-quality abstracts (500-800 words), including name, affiliation, key references and preferred sub-session, should be submitted through this website. Submissions will be subject to double blind peer review. Notification of acceptance / decline will be given by November 30th, 2017. Thereafter, the conference opens for registration. The organization can provide a bursary of up to €300,- per person for the travel and hotel costs of selected speakers. There will be a €50,- conference fee.

The deadline for abstract submission is October 31st, 2017.​
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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).
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Organising committee ​ 

Contact Us

For enquiries, please contact the organising committee.  

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 at the end of the year. 

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