Science and Philosophy – Shared History, Diverging Paths?

The question of the relationship between philosophy and science is as old as the respective practices themselves. In recent debates, however, it may seem as if both have grown out of sync, talking past each other, often with little or no respect for each other’s realm and method, their arguments and positions.

The first edition of the SciPhiHan Student Conference provides the opportunity to discuss a wide range of approaches regarding the relationship of science and philosophy, their history, and destiny. There are three major themes:

I. Historical and Comparative Analysis

This section will examine the relationship between philosophy and (the) science(s), their emergence, differing methods, and potential decline, across different historical periods, including, but not limited, to the Western canon from ancient to contemporary philosophy.

Participants who are interested in non-Western traditions (such as Islamicate or Buddhist philosophy) may submit a paper that does not correspond to the periodisation mentioned above.

II. Philosophy of the Sciences

This section will address key thematic areas in contemporary philosophy of scientific fields, e.g. philosophy of biology, philosophy of physics, philosophy of the social sciences. These contributions should focus on the relationship between philosophy and one defined scientific field, and/or on the different methodologies and characteristics of the philosophy of the hard sciences vs the philosophy of the soft sciences.

III. Meta-Reflection of the Relationship of Philosophy and Science

This section will explore the respective roles, boundaries, and evolving relationship between philosophy and science, as well as emerging intersections between them.

SciPhiHan Organisers: Johannes Baer, Anni Bukowski, Seung Hoon Hahm, Amir Latifi, Kristina Malzahn, and Paulina Oppermann

Please refer to our website for more information: